The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-11-14

Letter from the Ninth Regiment.
CAMP OK PEA RIDGE, ARKANSAS, J
OctOher u. 1862.


DEAR PILOT Tie 18th day of Sep>
tember last gave US a start from Kansas.
We marched from Fort Scott under orders
directing US to Carthage, Missouri. We
were all highly pleased with the move, and
never wish to see Kansas again. Within
ten miles Of Carthage, orders were rsceiv>
ed to proceed by forced marches to Spring
field, which was promptly accomplished.
Ne camped about fifteen miles from that
place, anticipating a view of a civilized
city, but were disappointed, as we were di-
rected to march Immediately to Sarcoxis,
some seventy miles south of Sprinfgeld
The next mornings rising sun found the
Ninth again moving rapidly to their new
destination. 1t appeared to me that while
other Wisconsin Regiments 90 the fight
ing, we do the marching but am now
satisfied that we also will have share in
the glory and Iaurels achieved By Wiscon-
sin troops whenever thew have met the en-
envy.
Our new Colonel, Z. E. SALoMoN, for
merly Colonel Of the Missouri Fifth, and
brother of our General, reached us at
Sarcoxlo, accompanied by our newly APP
pointed Quartermas,er, Mr.. JACOBSON.
News was soon heard that the rebels,
N, Il, 4, r-,-r- o,i T,o-,-- ,,..uo -4xo.
ting a. Eewtonia, a small town some fifteen
miles south Of Sarcoxe, with the intention
Of ofattacking'us. Our force consisted of the
1st and u Kansas BFigades, numbering
about 5000 men. Gen. SALoMoN ordered
a detachment Of the Ninth Kansas Cavalry
to re2onnoiler in the direction Of Newto>
nia, on the Doth Of September, and on the
night Of the same Cay he sent four Compa-
nies Cd, E, G, and H. of our Regiment,
three pieces Of SToCKroN's Battery, and a
detachment of the % Regiment Indian
Home Guards, under command of Lieut..
Col. JAcoBE, in the same direction, with
orders to support the Cavalry, if necessa-
y, and especially to feel the strength of
the enemy. This small force numbering
only about 400,) came in sight of Newto>
ria early in the morning of the 30th of
September.
When within three fourths Of mile of
the town, which vas partially surrounded
by stone wall, the Artillery opened fire
upon it, which was not answered for a
short time, when the rebels also brought
Battery in position and commenced brisk
fire. Our infantry formed a line Of skir-
mishers, and advanced towards the stone
wall. When the line got to within fifty
/ PAGES of the wall, the skirmisbers were
rallied, md the order . Charge bayonets"
given. Nob!y did the gallant boys charge
the wall, but they were received by ter
iibIe ite from thousands Of muskets-
Many fell, while the rest, seeing tie oyer~
whelming force Of the enemy, commenced
to retreat towards where the artillery was
stationed, but were pursued by large
force Of cavalry, ouflanked on both sides,
] an& compelled to retreat in full haste.
| The artillery haI supported them gal
lautly, while the Kansas Cavalry, when di-
recte! to charge saIres ID order to give the
infantry an opportunity to rally ard form
line, instead Of doing 50, fled in confu-
sion from the field. Our officers made the
most vigorous efforts to preserve order and
prevent total rout, and succeeded several
times in forming portions Of the troops in
to line, to fire an effective voley at the en-
envy in return The artillery, also, poured
grape and canister into their ranks, mow>
ing them down like grass but the enc,
my's force was too large for our heroes,
and their complete annihiation being too
evident, they withdrew, saving all their
guns. The infantry were subsequently
overtaken in the woods, and AL those that
were not massacred were captured very
few escaped.
As soon as Gen. sALoMo> heard ihe re.
ports of artillery on the morning OF Toe
30lh, he ordered the whole command to
march towards Newtonia, where We arriv
ed about noon, AMI formed line Of bat
tie, occupying the heights surrounding the
town. The necessary arrangements be-
ing made, the General ordered the batter
les 10 open on the town, which was soor
replied to. This was kept up on both sides
for three hours, when the enemy made :
desperate tack upon our left, but our In
, dians fought like devils, and did no. los,
an inch Of ground. They then made a,
effort to ouIfrak our right, AMI at th,
same time pressed heavily on the center
which compelled Us TO retire slowly in or
der to prevent the enemy from accomplish
ing his design, to the adjoining woods, tn
0 enemy following.
+ a. 4