The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-11-28
GEAUGA,
FROM THE ARMY OF THE SOUTH WEST.
LAGRANGE. Tenn. Nov. II. lSG2

LAGRANGE. Tenn. Nov. II. lSG2.
EDITOR DEMoCRAT Being one OF the
Gcaugn boys, although in nn Illinois Reg
imcnt, would, through the columns Of
your paper, give my former friends and
acquaintanceB short account Of the
whereabouts and movements Of our Regi-
ment. Although not personally ac
quainted with you, | am with many OF
your patrons. A grand movement has
been and is being made by the Army of
the South West. Our Division marched
from Bolivar on the 81 inst, Gen. Nc
Pherson being in command welt en- route
for Grand Junction, there to bc reinforced
by the Corinlh soldiers, and then to move
forward for action, with the massed ;orces
of General Price, who wetu reported to
be in The vicinity of Holly Springs, and
strongly fortified. We lett Bolivar on
Monday morning, and reached our pres
en-. encampment on Tuesday night, a
short distance south Of Lagrange, leaving
Grand junction several miles TO the rear,
no signs Of the enemy being, at present,
in that vicinity. Thick and binding
clouds OF dust marked our course, and en-.
vcloped us in such IA covering that we
found our march very fatigung. We
could scarcely see our ie leaders, and, ,
marching it, a hot sun with our knapsacks
on our backs, and gun cIuipage, with our
haVersacks and canleens, and a lack Of
water, made us TO feel the necessity of ma
lures cooling beverage. ! never tasted
anything SO good in my life as a drink Of
dirty, muddy waller, that left the ranks
to get, whilst on ihe march. The country
here is very dry no rain having fallen for
long time, and water is very scarce
Sometimes we have to march 10 or l2
miles before we can camp where we can
get sufficient supply OF water for our
men.
Arriving here on the 4,h, we rested un.
I'll Saturday, the Sh inst, when We were
again ordered forward 10 make grand
reconnaissance, and f,e the strength of the
enemy. We advanced some 10 miles or
more, and our cavalry in advance en-
countered the Rebel pickets and drove
them in, killing | outright, wounding 5
more mortally, and taking upwards Of
100 prisoners, many OF them officers. -
We camped some ! 2 miles from this place,
near Coldwater, Mississippi. in corn,
field, for the night, ard were allowed
by our officers 10 keep but very little fire
burning, stacking our arms. .and y ing down
close beside them. We went out some
or 10000 strong, and were well arranged
for fight, and both officers and men cx,
pected 1t, but the enemy did not appear tC
give us battle or engage our forces, aItel
having lost their cavalry pickets, and
after remaining IN line OF battle fol
nearly "a hours. whilst parties Of skr
mishers were securing through the
country, we were ordered TO about face
and march back 20 Lagrange, where we
could set supply OF good water, W,
made successful reconnaissance o
the enemy, and are now prepared 10 NEE
him some so or 100000 strong, and it
fght like men in the cause OF our coun
try.
The railroad from B.liyar to Lagrange
has been repaired, and row our provision
trains follow up the advance of our army
All along the line from Columbus, Ky.
TO nenr the north line Of the Mississippi
a distance Of $50 miles or more, ou
Pckets are scarcely stones throw iron