The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-06-19
Frosas alsc HsG wisconsin Cavalry.

Extracts from private letter. ..-..
CAMP La GRANGE. Four MILE, DUNKLlN Co.
You have probably ere this heard much by
telegraph that shall write and much by ru-
NOR that may conflict with it, but these state
ments are from one whom you are well aware
has excellent opportunities Of knowing that,
whereof he affirms, and has no desire but to
place before you the plain facts. When pen
ned my last letter we were taking up our line of
march for Bloomfield where we expected an
engagement but were disappointed. The reb-
els hearing of our advance made good their es
cape by fleeing to he swamps. A detachment
under command Of Maj La Grange, one Of the
bravest and best of his Country's defenders
was sent in pursuit and overlook them some
nine miles distant Our Cavalry dashed in up
On them as they were sitting down to their
breakfast. Took possession of their camp
equipage, ammunition, and Col. Phelan's coat
hat and sabre, which he had forgotten in his
great hurryto get away, besides several prison
efs Col Phelan was one Of jeff. Thompson's
notorious gang of mauraders, Of which we see
much mention Of in secesh paper at hand
! He has since been Aaken prisoner by party
of our scouts and is now confined in the militia
! ry prison at Cape Girardeau. This was done
without the loss of a single man on our side
| The Unionssts everywhere greeted us with
unbounded Joy, and the courteous and dignihed
| bearing of our men convinced the people at
once. that they we've no rufiians, but christian
soldiers, thereby turning many from the error
Of their secession ways, but never failing to
give desperadoes their just deserts The coun-
! try here is tn oroug hlv infested with bands OF
these lawless mauraders, whose sole object is
plunder whether from Unionists or rebels il
matters not, nor at what cost OF life Here at
i'm other sections houses and stores were desert
ed and large traces of land were nothing bu
a desolate waste. After a rest of two day.
which brought US to May 10Th another detach
ment commanded by Col. Daniels assisted b.
Mais. La Grange and Tomey again took ~
their line of march for Chalk Bluffs, Ark, fou
miles from the state line, to make an attack OF
the rebels under Col. Jeffe rs. After force
march of forty-four miles, we reached the 81
Francis river jus; at day break and found there
the enemy's picketts who fred upon us. W
politely and promptly returned the mornln
salute, and drove them from their position. =
Our next move was to cross the river, who
e could not be cone until small ferry boat whic
: Law upon the opposite shore could be brougf
over. .a.
d While dsvisin8 some method to obtain IL
t coveted vessel, one "brave boy, |. o. Tut
e of Ripon Wis. plunged into the stream unnIin
e full Of his wounded hand and the enemys fir
r swan fearessly across, seized the boat and 7
:. turned in safety to his company. Fifteen mo
of Freedoms heroes were soon making the
II way to the other side of the st. Francis to NEE
1t large body OF rebels and to bear the brunt
the fight.
h This advance guard on foot had NOT proeee
h ed more than four miles, when they were fir
:, upon, by the enemy ninety in number, in al
n bush, at point where least expected it.
u Our men acted coolly and returned the
i. promptly, and as the sequel shows with sol
er effect.
n It is this kind of warfare that brings
- courage Of every man engaged to the stern
le test to know the savage foe concealed q
n something Of his nice laid schemes for your
a itiated feet is SOMETHING to make the tmld n
e itate But the bravery of our men was eq
er to the occasion. The skIrmish lasted Du
ny short time but was rather BRISK ali"iI'
~ this we lost three, Private Howard hIiieo' 9
'e Lieut.. Philips and private McClaugn[y aus
81 wards dying of their wounds. bu1 'o' y
N fighting and strategy we must have peen :
let trely butchered with the timeiyiaio Oh an0'i
nd squad who had crossed with horses we 81
nix ceeded in comple' ely routing Them capturi
to ,heir camp, baggage train and forty stano
or arms. The enemy lost eleven killed and I'd
an teen wounded.
us, From some lack Of information the seve
~ az divisions did not meet at the appointed u
as and place which left the few to bear the -"
l i,G and burden of the day.