Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-02
Our Army COrrcsPOndeuce-Ch 47th
Indiana on the Mississippi.
CAMP NEAR RIDDLES PoINT. on the Mississippi
47th Indiana Volunteers, Col Slack,
March 9th 1862

March 9th, 1862
EDITOR SENTINEL: Sir-Should the 47th man
iiest little pride in coming before the public
and having a few words to say about itself, we
don't think there should be anv to fin0 fault for
We woudn in the least infringe upon the rights,
or in any manner whatever do of injustice
to anybody else Our career has not been para
ded in the newspapers with such br,lliancy as
some OF the other regiments with witch we have
been CO mingling since our leaye-taking of HOOs-
erdOm, or, | might say, the soil of Kentucky,
but still we have certainly wOr for ourselves IA
reputation no less enyiable, of knowing no hi cher
duty than that OF at all times obeying orders.
During the three months stay in Kentucky, it
was deemed necessary that we should endure
many long marches through mud and rain. and
that without any inclination to murmur, being
anxious. it possible, to meet the rebels After
finding the rebels growing beautifully less daily
within the boundaries of Kentucky, we were or
dered TO Missouri, where We safely landed at
Commerce with our brigade, including the 10th,
I'D and 34th Indiana regiments and were imme-
diately ordered forward to New Madrid, where,
IL WAS understood, the rebels were lying in wait
for US.
The time short until we were being para
ded back and forth from battery to battery. in
presence of the gunboats Of the rebels. at the
above mentioned place, where, by times, the shot
flew thick and fast We not at this time. having
guns of sufficient calber to compete with them.
However, we answered rs targets, and escaped
without losing many Hoosier lives miraculously.
Soon came to hand the desired "a Founders so
anxiOusly wished for-and then came the tug of
war.
The same evening of the day the guns arrived,
they were planted in mastery manner, and on
the morning OF the 18Th opened up, much to the
great surprise of the enemy. with telling effect.
upon their boats, also upon their fort, which was
returned by them in thunder tones, as much as to
say, with YOU.
During the day the firing continued thick
and close. the l0th and 10Th Illinois regiments
occupying the Entertainments and losing "a num-
Der of men-not knowing the fatality produced
upon the enemy, but disabling several of their
gunboats, also having desirable effect upon their
fort.
On the same evening, the 47th and 34th Indi
ana regiments received orders from headquarters
to prepare twenty -four hours mtOns, and be
ready march by 10 o'clock a VI for the bat
terry. which order was cheerfully complied with.
Accordingly We set out through mud and rain
and the darkness of the night for the intrench-
ments, distance OF perhaps two and half miles
from camp where. upon arriving. we, without re
iuctance took our several places in the intrench-
ments, awaiting the break of day to renew the
conflict Of the day previous trih the sEqh add
ton of being possessed with the knowledge of
there beng an order issued from headquarters
that before the dawn of another dav we we're to
lead the way OF the forces which we're this day 10
melt before the fire of the rebels. or have the
glory OF planting upon the ramparts OF Fort
Mtdnd the glorious old flag, but 70 our great sur
prise. as tie day opened, what did behold but
that which sent forth shout making the welkin
ring. informing rs of the evacuation OF the fort
which was. in twenty-five minutes afterwards, oc-
cupied bv the Attn and 34th Indiana regiments.
On the 10Th we received orders 70 take up the
march AT = o'clock 2 NJ. which we did, during
the whole night. making our way To this point,
bringing by hand our beloved old - FOUNDER.
which the boys have chosen to call Betsy" and
by the side ct which they have since closely
manned. defending il against the united force of
hye gunboatS consisting OF perhaps forty or fifty
guns. some OF which are pieces throwing balls of
immense sieve coming off more than yictori-
Gus. I he rebels after making one grand move
for our single gun in full force attempted a ani
ing of forces. but were completely routed after
losing number of men. being picked of by our
rihemen fast a they made Their appearance.
More anon. A HOOsEg.