The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-08-14
From the Frst wisconsin Cavalry.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo,
Auu 9Th 12kD

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO, I
Aug. 9Th, 1862.
EDITORS TELEGRAPH Since | wrote you last
we have bad quitea an exciting time. have just
returned from Bloomfield, which has been threat
ened by the rebels. Lieut.. Ogden, Conn.,, was
dispatched at the the head of fifty firm hearted
men as reinforcements to that post. We left head
quarters, Cape Girardeau, on the night of July
Both. After riding all might we halted for break,
fast some twenty-five miles ON the march We
there learned that body of secesh were lying in
ambush for us few miles ahead. We avoided
the ambuscade by circuitous and wild path
through brush and tangled fern, and at sunset OF
the 3lst arrived within three miles of the besieged
town which the scared inhabitants in the neigh
borhood assured us was taken by the .'Rebs. =
Lieut.. Ogden, who, by the way, is very cool
man, gave the boys to understand that he was
going into Bloomfield, blockade or not. Every
N IN said $50 re-.
Flankers were thrown out right and left, The
rebel pickets had ''skedaddled." All! was there
not rejoicing among those besieged boys Co M
had good many boys at Bloomfield, You should
have seen the waving of hats as we charged into
the town. We found Captain Hyde in command
OF the post. He has showed considerable ability
in the defense of that pest. Our boys were at
tackled several times Capt. Hyde taught the Sc
cest of his neighborhood several lessons in the art
of getting out the way of his six pound Shells
AS far can be learned, sixteen rebels were
killed. But the saddest 1 have yet 10 narrate,
Friday morning after the arrival of reinforce.
ments all was quiet i'll the vicinity of the town.
Our horses suffering from want Of forage
Capt. sent sixteen men few miles southwest of
the place after hay. Six of the men were from
the LIST Wisconsin Cavalry, the others we're bows
from the State Militia. They were not nolested
until the forage had been procured, and they were
about returning. They had just arrived in sight
of Bloomfield when volley of buckshot brought
death and the State Miiatta's retreat -Four of the
1T Wisconsin bit the dust Job Warren of Go. E
was killed He was literally cut to pieces by
shot Three were wounded but think will re-
sJver. One was taken prisoner but ore of the
Cavalry boys escaped uniDjured. Twelve fine
mules were lost to us. Two wagons were set on
fire.
AS soon as possible Lieut.. Ogden led party of
thirty 10 aUenge the death of our comrades. We
could not find secesh. Our party succeeded in
caving the Wagons. AS soon as an ambulance
could be obtained. the wounded and dead were
removed from the road side. We felt desperate
that night. That the first blood that Dq0uuof
as lad seen. 1t reused us. We would not have
taken prisoner. Not one of our boys wil-take
Guerilla prisoner They are murderers. sind
shall be dealt with accordingly.
believe all is quiet now at Bloomfield. Since
Governor Candles late call for Militia the conn.
try is perfectly alive with bushwhackers. Union |
men epouring in to join the Militia by scores |
and hundreds. We soon expect better times in |
his section. Until then, am
Yours, truly,
MISCELLANEOUS