, 1862-08-25
FROm THE FTFTy-EECaND ILLE-
NOlS KEGl MEAE.
A ConfiAcating Expedttttn---91 {, ,000
Worth Of Cotton taken.

ICosresponden :e Of the Chicago Tr1buuo.l
CAaf MONTGOMERY, NEAR CoRnsyu, Mise,
August II, 1859.
Knowing that among your numerous read
ers there are many who are interested io the
welfare Of the SD Illinois, take the liberty
Of dropping line concerning 1t. We have
been lying quietly in camp near Corfnth for
the Inst two months. Last Monday we were
ordered out on q scout, with six days. ratfons,
towards Pocahontas, On the line Of the Mem
pbis railroad. BY dark We were on the march.
Stopping brief period at Corinth for fnstEuc-
t1ons, AWAY We went into the enemy's coun-
try. It was reported that there MAS force Of
about SEQ rebel cavalry under Faulkner opera
ting near Pocahontae, burning cotton and dis
treezing Union men. Our orders were to
capture or drive them cut; enable the Union
men to bring their cotton to market, and coz
Gscate al that we could lay hands on belong
Ing to rebels. At Chewnlla. where we eazriyed
towards morning, ne found the 2lst Mis5our1
epcs1nped. Here we put In three hours sleep,
bEeektasted and again started on our way.
The day came on intensely hot-thermoneter
ranging from 20 to 1o0-tcarcelJ breath Of
dlI Etl1l1uE Liz 4kt5A "a A3 NASANo5 eAkAA
hung about Us in sufocating thickness.
Wells and springs We seldom met With,
we suffered much but finally arrived without
iuc.dent at the Hatch River when ne formed
our camp. After crossing the ridge which d.
1ldesthe waters Of the T1scnmbia and Hatch
er we found better country and people; this
Eas manifest from their well. kept house aud
plantations. ForaglDg parties were sent ont
in all directions, and dlapidased cotton
press In close proximity to camp w.s soon put
into successful operation under the direction
of Capt Wilcox, who showed the natives
what northern hands and eaergy could accom-
plish at short notice. We stayed ia our camp
three days days and returned to our old camp
here. We brought With Us cotton train val
ued at ten thousand dollars, nearly one-halt Of
which was contiecated; three yoke of c4ttfe
srd three HasopE-co -connscated. Besides this
We foraged sufficient beef, pork, corn aad
| salt to s1tsist us while there 7 think you
will agree with me in saying that this expedi'
| tion laid.
| The guerillas gave Us wide berth, being
satisfied probably, that the men who could
| break the iron and leaden hail of Donalson
| and Pittsburgh were not the ones they wanted
to meet in Il simple bushWhacking tight.
| know it is customary for better Wlters to eu
| logic theiz respective regiments, but With ths
SD this is unnecessary. It always does 1T
| duty. The record Of its deeds Of daring i
| HlilbSu Du LIE GHAApsoLE9 VI Hi uVlA- At1s
ard the Scared pt rsons OF her veteran soldiers
We are commanded By Major E. A. Bowen
who has won the confidence Of every man b,
his personal bravery aud the military ana ez
ecuiive ability displayed BY him in every pos
tioD be has been assigned to. Our ve:era
Col. Sweeney and Lieut. CGl. Wilcox are at
sent recuperatiDg their health and energies
which have wasted away during their arduou
services in the field, the one as brigade, til
other as rcgimental commander. Tie geneT;
tcalth OF the regiment is good. We have q
VIC can use Of good food aud water, and a.
ready for any duty the service can inlpos
! upon us. Respectfully yours, "D."