Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-12-30
From the 18th Wisconsin,.
Correspondence OF the State Journal.
NATcHEz, Miss. Dec. 10

EDITORS STATE journal In nv last Is;n
formed you OF our departure from this place a.
ana Our arrival at Vieksburg. | viii resr,rotet4
our history al that point, and relate our Cd ,;
ventures to the present time.
We were taken TO the old rebel works naa-
rorl Nh "here we We're paid off to the Ist
OF November, and staid there tbraa ders
when We marched to Clear Greek ten -
in the rear of Vieksburg, and be- 49,
preparations for prolonged stay Tants p
which we had been in great want for H.,
time, were issued, ohimneys built, parade
ground cleared, and everything put into good
shape for living.
On the morning of the 4th of Decenhar
however, we received orders to prepare for
scout, and accordingly left camp about 10
O'Clock, taking the road to Vicksburg The
SD Illinois accompanied us with one oun
from the 7th Ohio, and one from the 2d IT.
linois batteries. Detaehments from the 4tb
9Th, 10th and 18th Illinois, with Others from
the 4th Iowa and 10th Missouri cavalry in
ali about SUI mounted men, preceded us
With this force we embarked on four LARGE
river boats, and in the morning started down
the river, accompanied by four of the Marine
Brigade Fleet, all under command of Brio
Gen. Gresham of our Brigade
We reported every few miles to the patrol
ling gunboats, arriving at Natehez about
dark. Here We learned that the rebs were
town. and soon after our arrival they drove
in the pickets on the Washington road
About midnight left the boats, marching
to the forks of said road, throwing out com
pany 4 as an advance guard, and forming a
line of battle with the rest of our regiment
on the left of the picket post The SD IL
linois went out on the Woodvile road. the
2Sth Illinois came to Us and took position on
our right ON the Kingston road, while the
Marine Brigade occupied strong position
on the Pine Ridge road.
The rebels, some three thousand strong.
with battery of four to I3-pounder guns,
estimated by various persons, commanded
by the notorious Gen. Logan, were close to
the pickets on each road, and, as we after
wards learned, had resolved to attack the
town next morning, and could be heard talk
lng and tramping among the brush from our
picket posts. When daylight arrived. the
scamps had left, alarmed at something, ana
cavalry were sent out in all directions to look
for the fugitives. Towards noon our regi-
ment, with the SD Illinois and the artillerr.
pushed into the country, hoping to get a
chance at the rebs., but were again doomed
to be disappointed.
After marching a few miles on the Wash
ington, we turned to our right up the Pales-
tine road, again turned to the right some
miles further on, whore the General informed
US that he was trying TO get into the rear of
the foe, while the cavalry prevented his es-
cape by engaging him in front. Bv-and-bv
we reached the Kingston road, and then
marched several miles in the dark on our cir
cuitous route, when we halted, having march
ed over twenty-five miles.
The Marine Brigade were reported as hav-
ing had a severe skirmish on the Pine Ridge
road, and had driven the rebs. to parts un-
known. Cur cavalry, under Col Farrar of
q
got the enemy at bay some two miles off, and
would keep them there until our arrival to
finish. the inyestiture and bag the game At
daylight we were astir, travelled RAPIDLY
crossed Second Greek Just below Young's
plantation, where it flows through a most
precipitous canon. On ascending the hill our
ears were greeted with the Sound of musket-
ry, showing that the ball was opened, and we
saw our cavalry man@uvering around Ben
nett's house and buildings The General
turned Us back, saying We've got them
where we want them" took US back across
the creek, and disposed of his troops about
Goung's house and premises in very scien-
titic manner Soon the cavalry Joined US
followed to the creek by the rebs, having
lost an orderly sergeant killed and cap
tain and a private wounded of the 4th-
Illinois. 1t was expected that the
rebs would follow them in force, ami
that we should have a regular fight bur alas
for human calculations, the main body of the
rebs with go wagons AM their artillery NOV
ed southwark, while the party which had
been skrmishing with Us, came down into
the canon of the creek, rode up in it. until
they arrived at the Kingston road, which they
took, and left US far behind, laughing in tier
sleeves at the way they had escaped, right
under our noses and within musket shot
After waiting a while, we fell into line
again, not knowing then of the movements of
the flying foe, and went several miles on the
Woodyille road, the general said, ''If they
will not fight Us there they viii not fight at
all, until we were informed that the game
was flown, upon which we faced about and
soon went into camp.
We were ordered TO 20 to the houses and
take everything we might find that was eata-
bic, burn up Is much fence as might as might
be needed for fires, but not plumber any of
the houses, and most thoroughly the bows
obeyed, Cattle, sheep and poultry were shot
and prepared for eating before huge fires of
ralis Butter, milk, eggs and honey were
plentiful, and the BOYS went in with n
will. During the night a heavy rain fell.
soaking them to the skin, and making the
roads muddy to the last degree The troops
fell back next morning to the town and stopped
there all day.
Yesterday We marched through town and
were coralled in a cotton yard, corner of Main
'h44N Diot'uNdN StAtttSY Waiting IOF our tents
and baggage which has been sent for to
The rebels burned out Mr. Merrill. totally
everything on his place, on Sunday
night. On Tuesday night Mr. Marshall and
Mr.. Reynolds were cleaned out, and the dis
comhted rebels seem determined to punish
every Union man in the country by burning
up and driving off all he may possess.
On Tuesday the steamers Van PHIL and
atlantic were fired into at Moganza Bend, La,
below here, the captain of the former killed,
pilot wounded, and several of the crew and
passengers likewise, besides damaging the
boat seriously. 1t is altogether probable that
we may go down there tomorrow, to clear
1ut the rascals, and put stop TO their i'm
)ertinence.
1t Is reported that we shall make this place
1ur headquarters, and be employed in scour-
ng the river this winter, to prevent as much
Is possible the depredations Of the cowardly
5uerrillas- w.
DIsTBIBUTIoS OF HEAT IN DREss.-Dr. bio
lewis says, on this point: whatever the
material used, the form and arrangement of
t should be such as to retain an equal amount