The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-07-29
From the a4th indiana.
CLARENDON, Monroe county, Ark.,l
IL r

fi CLARENDON, Monroe county, Ark.,l
July 8, 1862.
EDITORS JoURNAL:-A few lines from
Yours at this time may not be uninter-
estipg to many of your numerous readers
that have friends and acquaintances in the
24tb. select as cool spot as an "eye"
to "speed, safety and comfort" will admit
in which to write.
Il First, as regards the general health of
the regiment, it was never better. Morning
reports for the last month show an average
OF 98 per cent of our present force as able
for duty. The much raunted assertion of
the reoels, that The warm weather, mias-
matte swamps, &C., would do for US what
they have tacitly admitted they could not
do, has most signally failed, so far as the oath
boys are concerned. 1t is matter of gen.
eral remark and surprise by the people in
this country at the healthy and rosy cheeks
OF the men.
How we come to be up in this benighted
region is a matter of some speculation by
the boys. There is one thing sure, we are
here, and ever since our advent in White
river, We have had particularly a warm
time of it. Our transport came up as far
st. Charles without convoy. There we met
the fleet, with Col. Firch commanding on
board. They were decending the river,
when we met them.
They came TO right about, and we went
up as far as Aberdeen, twelve miles below
this point, and one hundred and twenty
seven miles above the mouth of the river.
The feet lay at anchor opposite the place
for three days. While here, the 24h had
an opportunity to display their fighting
qualities on two occasions. On the 9th
inst. five companies were ordered out on
reconnoisance-compani A, B, @, D, and
F, under the command of Col. William T.
Spicely. We had advanced about four
miles, when, coming to the edge of Grand
Prairie, the enemy were seen in force, ap-
parently waiting our attack. Closing up,
we were ordered to fire. The distance was
too great to do ANY execution but the de-
sired object was gained. The enemy were
thrown into three detachments, evidently
with the intention of attacking us on. our
out from our own command, 10 protect our
fanks, while company F., with small de-
tacbment from the other companies, re-
ceived their attack in front. Our disposi-
tion wss none too quick, for in a moment
they we're down on us, yelling like thous-
and devils. We were ordered not to fire
uutit Tue WOTU WIS SlFcus
On they came at a full gallop in a splen-
did line of battle, until they were within
forty yards, and then our old fashioned
Colonel gave the word, give them "Heav-
en-" boys, and we opened upon them with
we'll directed fire and it bought them up
standing ''quicker' the 6rst moment, and
then they turned. Oh didn't the distance
increase between US fast until they got out
ofrange. They then rallied to give US an-
other trial. They called up their reserve,
and came at us again with thrice our num-
bers but with like result. The third
charge was tried, and with it something
that we were not expecting. We were at
tackled 10 our front and rear simultaneously
Here was dilemma, but the old fashioned
Head that we always depended on, brought
US through all right. We hanked around
in the woods; rallied the skirmishers to re-
ceive the rear attack; and with the assist
ance of Co. G. they met it most CALAMITY,
and repuised them. The attacking party
in front met the same fate. After the first
fire, the order was given for charge bay
onet. The rebels could not stand that, and
they left quicker han double quick, every
man for himself. They left their dead on
the feld-ihirteen. They sent flag of
truce in asking permission to bury their
dead. and it was granted. The list of cas-
uslties on our side, is one killed, and twen-
ty-two wounded. aat
KiJIed-Private Samuel Harris, compa-
ny e. e
q Severely Wounded (but will recover)-
Sergeant Boswell, company D; private
Frank Knowles, company E Capt George
f1Aeate ufeAfe Ns1F ras;-rNs~H Htrv.J ~ -'~''I
saddles, guns, pistols, &C. .Lo
Oor other scrimmage took place IN tne
niOht. resulting in killing two reoeis anu
sounding four, and capturing several pris-
oners and horses. There we're no casualties
on our side.
There have been a number of casualtle
in the feet. from guerrilla parties hiring III
,o the boats from off the banks. The chic
engineer of the gunboat Lexington wa
shot and instantly killed on the evening
the eth nj. by an unseen foe. One oil 10
Sroman was severely wounded at the sam
, There was one man killed and 81
.ro,,,dod an the steamer Emma, thre
sounded on the National and one wounoe
q on the D. G. Taylor severely, will die j.
4 vil, have TO close as the mailooat
t sbout 10 leave. Yours, &C.
Aoo"' " Co. F.
i N Rebels report "a killed, wounde
e and missing at Grand Prairie hgh''
a We leave this river o-morrow-destin
Ie ton Yicksburg. /,
= %, Fitchs expedition US this river
4 heen a failure. The ossensiole ooJee' "
. To carry supplies to Gen. Cartiss army
20 has failed to get communication keo
as between us in force, estimated at lo,V
an and poorly armed, with nine pieces
artillery stationed at Duvail biuu, az
yi- crossing of the Little Rock ana meup
Ith Railroad. River falling, forces us OUT:
ho ders for Vicksburg. Have heard OF
i" Oielau u0' Co.