The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-09-04
EESz. IAe Ei4st Wisec us;" G4'a1E
Correspondence of the Telegraph.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo

F4o... lhs Ff4st Wisceus;" Ua'aH,.
Correspondence Of the Telegraph.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo
August 25th, 1862.
MEssRs EDITORS Since last wrote you,
some sad reverses have happened to our regi-
ment These reverses, / need hardly assure
you, were not the fault of the soldiers. The
bravery of our men in action, and their heroism
under snfferings and priyatOns, su;h as rarely
fall to the lot of American soldiers, have robed
even defeat in colors of dignity and grandeur
Said late paper, in commenting upon the
terrible affair in Arkansas; ''the desperate va
lor of these heroic men is Invaluable as an ex-
ample of lofty courage and devotion"
1t serves little purpose in war, to Try to set
tie the blame of calamities, such as this regi-
ment has encountered upon this, or that man,
Or men. We know that men will think and
talk, let there be reason or not. | abstain from
taking part in these discussions, and take to
myself the easier task of writing the several
ragmentary narratives of daring and disas-
ter into one, and giving something like a cor
rect statement of the present condition of the
regiment.
The greater part of the Regiment moved from
Bloomfield, under Col. Daniels, into the lower
country, some weeks ago. A laborious march
of some two weeks, in the excessive heat o
July, brought them to Madison, Arkansas. An
accident happened to party IN crossing the
ST. Francis River, by the upsetting of boat,
whereby Gardner Streeter, of Co. c, was
drowned Later along on the march, two
other men were drowned, whose names 1 have
not learned.
The regiment was suffered to remain some
days at Madison; but still was not far enough
South, so it was pushed down toward Helena
All, except the supply train and its escort, un-
der Major EggIeston got safely to Mariana and
there encamped. The train was some ten miles
behind the advance, and had orders-I do not
know from whom-to encamp for the night on
the east side of the Languille River, the side
opposite that on which the advance was en-
camped. This was Saturday night, August
3D.. The poor fellows laid themselves down
to rest upon the earth, with that sense of Sc.
curity, even in the face of deadly peril which
comes but from implicit trust in Providence
and from constant exposure to danger, Who
shall say what visions of home and peace Of
families and friends, may have visited those
over whom never another nights rest, save
the long rest of death, should brood?
At daybreak next morning, the little camp was
alarmed by the furious charge of large body
IofT Tn l.
time, our men formed, and although the enemy
were six to their one, yet no word of surrender
was heard or thought of. Our boys fought for
nearly an hour, those six hundred rebels, and
it was not till some sixty dead and wounded
lay upon the earth about them, that the rem>
nant, overpowered, gave up. Then, when the
fighting was over, and the record made up, it
was found that some u Of our men were killed,
40 wounded and about as many more taken
prisoners. Only about Is or % of the whole
detachment made their way to cur lines, from
that field of blood. l have learned only few
of the names of the killed, wounded and pris-
oners, and these give:
Enoch Young of Co. NJ, killed Sergt L. r.
Shepard, Co. NJ, wounded in the shoulder, is
now almost well. Pet er Myers of Sylvania,
wounded, slightly; Thomas Healey, of Co. NJ,
of Salem, wounded in the hip, not dangerous.
VIM. BelIwood Co. NJ, wounded slightly; Eli
lot Wood, Co. NJ, wounded very badly; Chris
topher Hooker, Co. N, wounded slightly, pris-
oner Mr.. Hobart, Battalion Q, Master, wound
ed in thigh and hip very severely; Quarter
master Hoag, wounded, and prisoner
Among the prisoners are Lieut's. Hobbs and
Consaul, Co. B Corporal Lathrop, Levi Lock
en-, and V. B. Niles of Co. NJ wish could
send you the names of al! the others, but they
have not been sent here yet. As soon as they
are received, they shall be sent you. Lieut..
Owen iS safe OF course, all the arms, equip
ments, horses, stores of the train &C., fell into
the hands Of the rebels The train cons listed
of 10 army wagons heavily laden with ammu-
milton, provisions, and various kinds of sup>
plies also, eight confscated teams, and sew
eral confiscated horses All was lost. What
the Texans could not carry away they burned.
Then they fed, and though holly pursued
could not be caught.
F AT the first alarm, Rev. G. w. Dunmore, the
Chaplain, sprang from his hard couch, and
fought for time, with great GOODNESS and he
roism. He was a shining mark for the rebel