Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-04-19
From the 18th Regiment.

Of the 18th Regiment. 1t is from
Lieut.. Jas. r. Scott to his wife, who
has kindly permitted US to lay it be-
fore our readers. 1t furnishes poor
to the anxious friends Of
Co. &C." who reside in this county
PlTTsBUEG LANDING, Tenn,
April 10, 1862.
DEAR WIFE We arrived here last
Saturday night and Immediately pro-
ceeded to camp, distant about fo"r
miles. Pitched oHr tents, with short
allowance of provisions, for the night.
While eating breakfast on Sunday
the long roll sounded to fall
into battle line, and in less than half
an hour the enemy were upon US, advan-
cling through the bushes, conveying the
Union Colors. Word was given our
Colonel that they were regiment Of
our pickets retreating. When getting
within eighty feet Of us they opened
fire, which we returned laying upon the
ground loading and firing till they
drove us across on open field Of about
forty acres, when we again rallied and
delivered our fire from behind the
trees. We were again driven back
till we came to the second line which
had just formed.
Then our men rested for about half
an hour when we again formed and
advanced. In this advance, about
eleven o'clock our Colonel was woun-
ded and has since died. The Lieut.
Colonel was badly wounded. Our Ma
jor was killed, as was also our acting
Adjutant, shot through tie head-leav-
inc us without field officer. What
was left of the Regiment stood another
charge, in which Capt. Compton was
Killed. Our colors, and the Color Bear
,er, John Snyder, We cannot find. He
lis probably prisoner. We have SUI.
fercd terribly. Out Of ten captains,
|eight Of whom were in the engagement,
hut two are left. The Lieutenants suf-
Tered badly, but | think many were cap
|tured.
never heard hail stones fall thicker
land faster than did the bullets around
us. Joseph Bullock was shot in the
breast the first fire. He was helped
into tent, but we have not seen him
since, nor have we found his body
He is probably captured. Mr.. Eaton,
sGrandy's fatheriu-law, and Andrew
LOOMS, were also wounded. They fell
back to the river and got on board the
boats. McRaith has not been heard
from since Sunday morning; but be
may yet come in, as prisoners are con
stantly escaping from the enemy and
returning.
We were driven within one mile OF
the Landing, when the gunboats came
to our assistance, and the advance OF
Gen. Buell's reinforccments N5,OOC
strong) appeared in sight. They had
marched twelve miles on double
quick, and giving three cheers they
charged upon the enemy, who, after
| Fighting three hours, fell back three
quarters of mile.
Our troops slept on their arms during
! the night Of Sunday, i'll drenchine
rain, without tents or victuals. Early
on Monday morning the battle com
smcnced anew and ragged without cessa
ton till about five o'clock in the after
1noon. Thunder, the loudest YOU ever
heard, was no comparison to the roar
of artillery and small arms which wa.
kept up till the enemy run.
1t is the opinion here that this is thu
last large battle. Beauregard, Bragg
and johnson, with their united forces
were here and fought desperately t.
gain the day. On Sunday they out
Numbered us four to one, On Sunda,
s night we had achievements to the ex
tent of 10000 men and so cannon
s which gave us or Monday decided
3 victory. Troops have been rushing il
ever since, and following up the enemy
They may make stand at Corintb
Etwenty miles from here, but our Gene
rails think they will not be able to re
2organize the army SO as to accomplish
much, as Gen. Buell. has been pursuin!
them from the commencement of tn
retreat. Since the fight we have beer