The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-04-09
Gbe Gaoi7 Sentinel,
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
=, CAMP NEAR NEw MADRID, Mo-, /
March "a, 1862. {


FRIEND ALLEN:-Presuming that
the friends of company c. 49rd Regi-
rent O. V. L., would be pleased to
hear of their whereabouts and what
they have been doing, l take this occa-
sion to enlighten them. / will not at
tempt to describe our journey from Mt.
Vernon to Commerce, Mo-, as newspa-
per readers are bored every day with
similar descriptions. Suffice it to say
that we arrived safely at Commerce,
on the morning of February 26, where
we remained until the 28th. At noon
on the 28th we took up our line of
march for New Madrid, Mo-, distant
about so miles through .swamps and
over roads that would make christian
swear. On Saturday evening, March
1, our advance, consisting Of cavalry,
came upon the celebrated JEFF Thomp-
son, near the village of Sykestown;
and after flew shots jeff "skadadled, I"
leaving in our possession three pieces
of cannon and five prisoners. Atnoon,
March 8, we came in sight of New
Madrid, and our division, consisting Of
the 63rd, 49rd, 59th and 9th Ohio
Regiments, under command Of Gen
Stanly, made reconnaissance to draw
the enemy's fire, and ascertain if posi-
ble, how many gun boats they had, the
number of their troops, &c. The 43rd
advanced through the fields directly
upon the town; and while yet at long
range they opened upon us from their
30 Founders, but they did not get good
range, as the shell nearly all passed
over us. The reconnaissance ended we
drew back about a mile and camped
for thenight. 1t was the first time the
boys ever heard balls whistling SO near
them, and they took it very cody.
Our regiment has been in all the
skirmishing and fighting that has taken
place at this place. ..
On the night of the 18th inst, at
midnight, Col. Smiths regiment, the
43rd, were formed in line, and procee-
ded within about three-fourth's Of a
mile below New Madrid and only 600
yards from the rebel fort. Their pick
cts had been previously driven in. We
stacked arms in road and proceeded
to assist in dragging some heavy guns
through the sand and mud and placed
them in position. The night being very
dark, the Seccsh could do nothing with
their artillery; and when morning
broke the Rebels were astonished tc
find within few hundred yards Of their
fort long line of earthworks, and
were still more astonished when we sent
them our compliments in the shape ol
some 80 fb shot. Then the ball opened
in earnest. The Rebels had five gun
boats and twenty-five 80 1b guns or
their fort and earthworks. Our regi
ment was support to the batteries
and was stationed in rear and somewha
to the left of them in road. We haC
not been there long until the shot ant
shell commenced to drop pretty livel.
around us; and after one Of our mel
had been killed and three wounded, W
were moved to corn field and ordere'
to lie down. We had not been ther
long before the shell commenced to fal
near us again, but we laid quiet, an
IS the enemy made no demonstration
with their infantry, we remained unde
fire for eight hours; but had only thre
more wounded. Night came on an
the firing ceased. About II P. NJ.
heavy storm came up, and the raj
came down in torrents, drenching !
completely. During the storm th
Rebels 'sskadadled" to Island No. i
and whom morning dawned we foun
ourselves in possession Of the town an
fort, and property worth q million
dollars. The Rebels had spent month
in building the Notifications at tn
place, and they could have been hel(
our military men say, by two thousan
men against an army of 10000. !
the morning we marched back to Q,
camp, covered with sand and glory!-
The 43rd lost one killed and six wour
ded, as follows: CompanysG,, Captai
Ferguson, Levi Kirby, (killed;) comp
ny l., Captain Brown, one wounde
severely; company b., Captain Sag
three seriously wounded, Zone sin
-died;) company G., Captain Urquhar
two slightly wounded BY spent cannt
ball.
Now, from what / know, you can 81
to the good people of Harrison count
that they need not be afraid Of the nj
composing company G. not doing the
duty. When men want to play ''e
chre" while shells are bursting all roul