Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-03-07

different roads. The country being so rouob
and billy, we carried no tents-nothing but our
blankets; therefore, We have to sleep in the open
air. The night was very fine, the moon shining
bright, and was passed very pleasantly.
Wednesday,, Feb. l2th-ReueiHe sounded at :
O'Clock; we arose, got our breakfast Immediately.
hitched up the battery, and at started Nothing
of importance transpired during The day, excent
climbing huge hills, and in order to do so, had
to double our teams several times In the after
noon, our advance guard had frequent skirmishes
with the enemy, losing several men and killing
more of the Lebels. At in the evening, we
arrived in sight of the enemy's breast works,
Dresson's Battery of three Riied Cannon, threw
several shells over to them, just to let them know
we Were thar, but received no response We
encamped to night, about one mile from them.
Iheir camp-fres can be seen burning in all d.
fectlons; they seem to be very busy III mounting
some guns, but we do not disturb them
Thursday, l3h-I Slept fine last night, in
expectation of big fight to-day. The sun rose
clear this morning, which is destined to shine on
many corpse before it sets tonight Shrmish-
ing commenced early in the morning on the
right, which, after short time, increased to a.
general engagement along the whole line We
took our position, along with the IIth. 18th.
18th, and Goth illinois ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Schwartzs and McAllister's batteries, on a hill on
the extreme right, and began storming battery
about half a mile distant; in a short time it was
silenced, and we received orders to proceed fur
ther to the right We at once limbered up and
ota n If
two and six, q am in squad six being ahead,
had reached an open space, ON the brow of a
hill, within good range of the enemy, and in
sight of six Rebel flags flying in the breeze,
when they opened upon US terrible fire of mus
sketry, and four pieces of artillery, instantly kill
ling Oscar Becker, of No. 2squad, and wounding
four horses. We at once unlimbered, amid a
perfect storm of leaden hail, and turned our
guns upon them with good effect By this time
the balance of the battery had arrived, and in
three hours we silenced every gun, and blew
up one of their caissons with a shell. About the
middle of the engagement, the enemy fred two
rounds of grape, wounding Corporal Lilly in
both hands, and Sergeant Whittle In the shout
der, both of our squad; at the same moment, one
hit me III the side, hurting me considerably, but
doing no considerable injury. 1t is miracle
to me that no more of the Battery were injured
at the time. We all kept good watch of the
smoke of their guns, and soon IS we saw it,
all would drop fat. If we had not done that
I think more would have been hurt. The 18th
Illinois made gallant cha rye on their entrench-
ments, during the day, but were repulsed three
times. About4 o'clock the sky turned cloudy.
and drizzlng rain commenced, which shortly
turned into snow.
Friday l4h-I passed the most miserable night
l ever spent in my life. The raj which began
yesterday afternoon, was just enough to wet
our blankets and overcoats; then the snow stuck
to them, and this morning they were froze stiff.
L frosted my feet, and a great many of the
wounded had their faces and hands frozen, there
not being ambulances enough for all, and no
fires could be kindled on account of drawing
the enemy's shot. The firing was kept up all
night by pickets and skirmishers. The poor
horse have been hitched up all night in the
cold and snow, with nothing to eat or drink for
twenty -fourhours. To-day we lay back, though
the fighting is still going on to give our horses
feed, rest to ourselves, and get a new stock of
ammunition. The battery fred nearly eight
hundred rounds yesterday
Saturday l6dh.-I Had good sleep last light
although it quite cold lBeing very tired We
were aroused very early this morning by the
enemy throwing shells over amongst US. We
hustled out in double quick time and com
menced hitching up; while doing so, shell
came rolling and tumbling through the Battery
nd tod - I
of me, wounding one of the 18th. A round shot
passed directly through a member of the I7th.
killing him instantly. We had no time to eat
breakfast, but rushed upon the hill and returned
the fire. By this time the whole right were en-
gagged with the enemy's left, and the battle
ragged terribly until o'clock in the afternoon,
when they were driven back into their entrench-
ments. They had more guns working to-day,
and the Infantry came out with their KNAPP
sacks on, looking though it was an effort to
break through and escape. ) About noon, as the
fire had ceased somewhat, two Rebel Regiments
of Infantry and body of Cavalry, smashed up
through the thick brush and attempted make
charge through our Battery. Just then two
field pieces of Company A. came rapidly
driving down the hill, got in position, and we
poured the canister into the Rebel dogs right
and left driv ing them off with great loss Two
OF our Bat terry were wounded, and six horses
killed to-day Company A. had two men
wounded. Pitt is all right
Sunday 9Th Gen Grants preparations were
completed last night to make grand charge on
the Rebels this morning, when 10 as day broke,
what did we see but numerous white flags
Haunting over the Rebel Notifications. A mes
senger came from the Fort, the surrender was
made, and at 10 O'Clock, the Second Brigade
marched triumphantly into the Rebel strong
hold. Taylor's Battery fired the first Union
salute in Fort Done lson, as we also did in Fort
Henry. We have in our possession 48 field
pieces IL heavy guns, vast quantities of ammu-
milton and commissary stores. Fifteen thousand
Rebel prisoners were drawn up in line as we
entered, and they looked sad and miserable
enough They were all clad in Butternut col
ored James, white cotton overcoats, and looked
like set Of, well, have no name to apply
to them, but they appeared rough and hard.
Sey en- thousand, hear, are to be sent to Chi