Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-08-13
CAMP CORRESPONDENTS.
FROM THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.

HuMBoLpT, TENN. july 3lst, 1862.
Shortly after breakfast, on the 2Sth.
the long roll was sounded, and orders
given for the 18th Regiment to hasten to
the Station as soon as possible. The
boys were soon ready, and marched
there in double quick. when they learned
that about eighty of our cavalry had been
attacked, about nine miles south OF here.
by about 400 guerilas. and driven in,
with the loss of four men missing and
one wounded; and fears were entertain
ed that an attempt would be made to
burn the considerable amount of cotton
collected here. Co. A and F were sent
out to reconnoiter, and to check the ad-
vance of the enemy should he appear;
but he did not appear, and the compan-
les went down the Mobile road three
miles to protect bridge. Meanwhile
the rest of the regiment made a breast
work of cotton bales, behind which, on
small hill, the Wis. 7th battery was sta
toned.
Our plan of defense was good, but no
enemy appeared to test it. Just as our
defenses were completed, we were re on
forced by squadron of cavalry from
Trenton, followed soon by the whole reg
imeut, which was sent in pursuit of the
enemy.
As nothing more Of interest occurred at
the Station, | will follow the fortunes of
companies A and F.
Your correspondent was visiting a
neighboring orchard at the commence
ment of the affair, and did not join his
company till the next day, but he learned
that after the companies arrived at the
bridge, Capt. Maxson and six men pro-
ceeded down the road to learn the ex
tent Of the damage done by the enemy,
and found they had destroyed about
rod of trestle-work, "only that and
nothing more," and then left as oxpedi-
tiously rs they came.
According to general orders, all prop
erty in the vicinity of guerrilla attack
is liable to confscation, and the citizens
to arrest. Capt. Maxson proceeded to
some houses by which the party had
passed, arrested the owners, burnt the
dwellings and cotton gin, turned his
prisoners over to Col. Bissel, of the en-
gineer corps, Gt was now EVENING" who
tried them, and condemned one named
Beadle to be hanged at 4 o'clock, the
goth.
Our cavalry the day before had oeen
saved, by the warning of negro, from
running into an ambuscade, where they
would doubtless, have all been lost. An
other negro came running through a
corn-feld. at the top of his speed, just
ahead of the guerrillas, in time to warn
the pickets, who were guarding the rail-
road, of their danger. They escaped to
the woods.
In consideration of their services, Col.
Bissel gave them and their families free
papers, pass over the road to Column
bus, over thousand dollars worth of
cotton, found on their masters premises,
and free transportation over the road
therefor. He called together the slaves
of the neighboring plantations, and Of
fered any one and his family the same
terms, who should bring him valuable in
formation. 1t is remarkable, that here,
when there is so much pretended union
ism, the only real aid and information
that we get comes from the slaves. In
all, save protestations of loyalty, their
masters are as reticent as mummies.
On the afternoon of the Goth, about
forty Of Companies A and F went down
to see the hanging, and bring back some
cotton. The gallows had been erected,
the grave dug, but the hanging post
poned, and the cotton disposed of. The
criminal had promised to implicate a
large number of Lis neighbors and &C.
quaintances, in consideration of sparing
his life; a fine specimen for a southern
gentleman's honor.
As we passed by the smoking ruins of
the last Nights fire, could not but deep
ly regret that war should necessitate such
things. There was the wife of the con-
demned man-the picture of grief
earnestly trying to convince us that her
husband was innocent of any completely
or sympathy in the affair. We assured
her that doubtless justice would be done,
and left her to form her own conclusions