, 1862-06-19
FROM THE FLEET BELOW TlCkS-
BURG.
L Letter from a Chicago Boy.

STEAMER LAURzl Hill, Miss. Rtyer. BIZ t.
Having reached at last our destination,
or rather having overtaken the advanced
guard Of our regiment, I deem it proper to
put down upon paper some little state
ment Of our expedition in its past doings and
future prospects. In many respects our pas
sage up the river from New Orleans is the
most remarkable trip have yet taken. In
deed, am convinced history affords few iu-
stances Of boat unprotected save by light
troops, penetrating an enemy's country 100
miles, passing towns, villages and plantations,
running under great bluffs and BY the edge
Of heavy forests, where batteries mig ut have
been concealed in such q manner a. to have
sunk ue at single discharge; all this We have
done and not heard q single gun. We at
tribute much OF our safety to the fact that the
enemy WAS deceived as to our: character, We
havirE sail craft on either side Of us{n toR,
loaded with stores, we iufer that these vessels
we're mistaken for mortar boats. We got rid
of our tows at Natchez. 8 hundred miles be-
low, and since then have been und2r protec-
tion of the gunb0ats, several Of which aIe ply
| ing between here and that place.
In respect to room, We have been more COIL
Portable tlan usual, true, the men live upon
the decks, but still they are not crowded. We
| have sent one OF tHo feraging parties ashore,
| which have procured fresh provisions III
| many places We find strong Unien sentiment,
but it is worth q mars life to declare it; the
Regulators being terror to all the country.
They, the people, say, "Send us protection,
| and we will come over to your side gladly
The cabin floor and the stateEooms are Gro I'd
ed with sick. One died yesterday. and another
| is not exnected TO live an hour, Typhoid aud
| biliou. fever, togeeuer ~ -'"''' A'' ''''
diseases most prevalent. We have never had
so many sick b=fols, which makes US realize
that we are indeed surrounded By peril.
here, consisting Of the 4ta Wisconsin aud the
9Th Indiana. I allow for sick and conv;les
cent. Awood party from ths 4th, consisting
Of nine men, fired upon large party
Of the enemy's picke:s, yesterday, woundins
ed the f1se, rounding three 0: tue wood party
Zone 1no1tally. This is the frs; blood spilled
on the expedition. The land forces are npo1
three steam river boats, which are tied up t,
the trees upon either bank of the river: abog
and below us are our guuboats and Eloops
about ten in number.
This morning demand was made upo,
: Vieksburg to Surrender, The folio wing gal
lant but not altogether original reply VAS II
ceiFed: t' 'Miseissiepiaus never surrender.
Our soldiers think different, but in order I
compel them to strike their flag, it seems
be NECESSARY to she'll tie town. This the
had orders lot to do, so to-day has been spel
? in communicating with Com. Farrayus, bt
what he will do has mol get tr.nBpirea- Sou
7 conceive it to be true policy to IhVea!e
, the place with 8 land attack so as to dra
t | Away large forces Of the enemy from tt
, pending forces ut Corinth- NTnat part we q
2 to play in the coming scenes it is impossib
to surnise, but We are ready and willing
| show our style to the chiTAlrT. The euen
t are supposed to have 700 men if SO, o
/ chance is slim for land fight. Bul belle
;, the boys Wou1l prefer to stand these od
d rather Than return to that hottest aud mo
d filthy OF cities, New Orleans.
:. THIS morning re take on board more troo
0 in order 10 send boat back for stores to NJ
s Orleans. In the meantime, We suffer 81
t suf1ocate. The plantations on the shore a
: surrounded for miles by high water. T.
n | Commodore has not come up yet, 60 Cam
: tell whether VIC shall Shell the town or II
Il but hope so.
e The 9Th has at last shed blood. A sm
l. party Of them vent on shure yesterday a
Q visited q plantation. They were warned G
: but did not 20, and were fired upon. Q
q | man, sergeant I knew at Ann Arbor, H
Y badly wounded. The rest fled, ss@Te t
IS alarm, wire reinforced, vent back, killed 0
le man and look tHo prisoners. Another III
y died last night. This makes four since
% started.
a. The day I left New Orleans was attack
if | By bilious f.ver ard dilrrbea, and wa5 Vt
II sick four days, but c.lou'e', quinine and VIII
5, ky have cufcd me. I AIN we'll, but very we;
u We ali are, not Jet having Gained strenE
Of since the slow torture from S1ip Islaud. I
Of o1tlcer Of the guard, very busy, and canI
Of give many important details. I am in
1e midst of dangers, hut am hnppy to say l
0. not depressed, but strong hearted.
7e TLis expedition is condemned Is being nj
" out a p11r pose. am happy to say that We
az ! mi turn back as vet.