, 1862-01-30
FROM COL. DAVE STEAKTsS REGg-
H1ENT.
Their Unhappy ss sJanuary'' Experi-
eDcCR,


Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune,7
PADucAH, January 18th, 1862
may safely say the adventures of the 55th
Regiment Illinois Volunteers for the past few
days are without parallel-at least in their pe-
culiar line. We wish it distinctly understood
that there must be separate page Of history
set apart for our especial benefit. On Monday,
18th December, we assembled according to or
der to take our departure for the sland Of
Dixie. 'esThe weather was intensely cold, and
many an car paid the penalty Of its exposure.
We arrived at the river and embarked on the
steamer D. "a. January. Our quarters were
NEST uncomfortable--herd together like
cattle on the wet decks, with nothing to pro-
tect us from the extreme cold. The river was
covered with masses Of floating ice, SO as to
hide the surface Of the water entirely from
view. Our progress was slow and 1aborious,
and scarcely exceeded the floating masses Of
ice with which NC were surrounded. On
Tuesday pight the boat grounded upon 4 mass
Of sunken ice near the Missouri shore, at
place called Kitchen Landing. The boat
having resisted the utmost efforts Of the crew
to spar her of, until Wednesday noon, Lieut..
Slatterly and Mr.. Lewis were dispatched to
Cape Girardean for assistance and sustcnaucc.
Their ronte Lie through the bluffs distance Of
Ss SSngalE mi1es, and not by any means devoid Of
On Thursday the messenger sent out arriy-
cd from the Cape with tic news that no boat
could make its way through the ice, and that
convoy Of 600 1ations would soon follow
overland. On this day member Of Co. G
dica-nanicd Albert Washburne-a good sol
GfRT and nniTPrSa1fC tad h;
ae lies buried upon the banks Of the Father
OF Waters among the rebel miscrcants he
SO nobly went to combat, another Offering in
behalf Of the canse Of our country.
~, ihe @ next day our ya,vl was sent across to
Memphis, Detained there By the ice on her
passage to st, Louis. This she promised to
give and came along side about midnight next
day. Everything was removed to this boat,
and 1t was intended to take us across the
there to take the ears for Cairo. This would
have been very difficult, from the fact that we
were destitute Of all means of transportation,
and the ro3ls almost, if not quite, impassublc.
N this sIare We wert again met By barriers
of ice, and compelled to recross to the Mis-
were killed, together with nine hogs, and We
were again allowed meat, although on half ID
tions Of mouldy crackers.
On Sunday, ferry boat arrived from the
Cape TO assist Us. 4 WIS decided to take us
across By detail and land us on the opposite
shore. To do this road must be cut up tile
opposite bank, and teams collected to trims
port our baggage. This was partly accom-
plished when the January began TO show
signs Of life The mass Of icc under her lad
melted, and she swung loose. We were re-
embarked upon her, and once more started
down stream. At shoal places We were COM
PEELED to foot it around them through the
mud and over the roeks-to bridge the torrents
that came from the adjacent bluffs. Monday
evening we ran aground again. but got or
alter few hours labor, and arrived at Cane
Girardeau On the following day
1T Was deemed impr1ctieable to proceed to
Cairo, and our officers cncamped here. Every
thing was unioaded and our tents taken to our
proposed camp, when dispatch was received
from Gen. Halleck to proceed. Re-cmbarked
and arrived at Cairo OH tile following day, and
almost Immediately proceeded to Paducah,
where we are now hard at work to make mil
ltary encampment among the stumps and tim
ber. Our sick were well cared for, occupying
the cabin and state-rooms, and ali accord 10
". Roles the highest prise as IN anaccomplish-
ed physician aud humane man. The guns Civ
en- us prove to be entirely ,eoythaeSy; rot one IN
tUentv 7cW break a cop. Many burst at the
breeeh at the first fire, They are not worth
ten cents per cord.
The expedition is now returning, and even
while write the troops are marching into
town. The weather is delightful and as warm
as spring. pleasing contrast to the frieid
weather we have heretofore endured.
We have been paid off and money is plenty.
TO make up for the short rations re have been