The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-01-16
From Rird,s Point.
CAMP TAYLOR, BIRDS Pr, No., !
Jan. 9, 1862.


Jan. 9, 1862.
DEAR FATHER:
| The mail has just arrived. but no letter for
me- The report from Cairo Is that 5000 men
are from St Louis to-day,22 600 from Paducah,
and all the forces from here. The destination
| is reported to be Columbus. That place is ours
and no mistake! Then Memphis! and then
New Orleans The whole Battery is ordered
away somephere! We are to be in readiness
at twelve o'clock to day 1t is generally sup
posed that we are to go up the Ohio. That 8
as definite as any one knows at present The
Tribune of yesterday speaks of reconnaissance
down the River by our gunboats, but not of an
expedition that went to Charleston on Tuesday
and met with ratheroil success They were
about 1890 in number, and went i'll pursuit OF
a lot of Mississippi cavalry who were out scout
ing the country. The night was so dark that
they succeeded in taking our men in an ambus-
cade, firing one volley after whnh they fled
Five of our men were killed and dozen
wounded. The fire was returned but of no eff
feet. They returned yesterday morning in
hard rain, with mud up to the ankles Most of
the men are confident that we shall have some
hard fighting before loug. We are very anx-
ious to smell powder again and atone for our
sad retreat at Belmont. We are very confident
of success. Almost every man at Cairo, the
| Point and Fort Holt is under marching orders.
We should very much like TO see our friends at
home before again going into action, yet it is
ordered otherwise Do not be over anxious
about us, for God has merc,fully spared US thro'
the hottest of two battles, and we have faith to
believe that his watchful care is not turned from
US. What a blessed privilege it is to have an
ak powerful arm to rest upon when the heart is
tried. | fully appreciate the value OF trust in
God when the trying hour may come Write
as often as usual, directing to Cairo. We take
five days rations but that does not tell us how
long we shall be away. Our baggage is left in
Camp. With a host of love and a cheerful
good bye to my dear parents, l am as ever their
atfectionate WILLIE.
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, '62.
Our move is detained by heavy fog since
yesterday morning. The fog is indeed worse
to-day than yesterday. The whole plan is stop.
ped until the river clears, our ferry boats can
scarce ly cross the river. We are in constant
expectation of orders to do something, either to
unpack in order to live Ike human beings again,
or hold ourselves in readiness for the lifting OF
the fog which will allow us to move. We are
in miserable condition, to say nothing of the
anxiety and suspense we are constantly kept
in. We were called out at midnight to get our
pay Mr.. White, ofsquad 3, who was wound
ed at Belmont, came down this morning He
is quite well and contented considering the loss
of a hand Our Sergeant (now in Chicago)will
lose his arm. Since / sat down, the fog has
cleared away and large steamer is coming
from Cairo Our Lieutenant says the steamers
are probably coming for US.
Your letter of the 9TH is Just here, happy to
get it., for we are about to start, | think. Three
or four gunboats have gone down the River al
so two transports loaded very heavy with
troops. Fort Holt troops are reported on the
move by land and water. We have nc moving
orders ye but we imagine We are to go by land
towards Belmont. Another steamer going
down the River now-N0 orders get The
weather is growing cool Much love, and an,
other good bye WILLIE.