Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-03

saved the train. The guns we are so much
indebted to, were Nimm's Massachusetts, Bat
terry. 1t did wonders that day.
1t was wish sense Of terrible oppression
about the heart that looked over at the lit
tie group of the brigade, standing where
they we're when we emerged from the woods,
only organized and in line-and thought of
so many friends and acquaintance in the Esd
that had twenty minutes before seen disap-
pear IN cloud Of smoke on the other side of
the line of forest. That some had fallen was
certaln-whlls the brigade had dwindled
down to handful Who were losts I felt
little consoled at the regiments of reserves
fastening to their relief 1t was too late.
The battle was over; the firing had ceased,
and at the distance of mile and quarter
the rebels were plundering the camp. As
they fell into line, however, they advanced
into the woods, and the rebels took to their
heels not having time to destroy one half of
what had been left on the ground
We waited over an hour in the road for
news to come in. I found it impossible to
procure horse, or | should have gone back
at once. First came a rumor that the brig
AIDE was all gobbled, though part of it was in
plain sight; then that the Esd Wisconsin,
Goth and 9th Indiana and Goth Ohio had all
been killed or captured. Finally met 23d
straggier, who reported the reg iment destroy
ed, who was soon followed by an orderly who
stated that the regiment-what was left, 70
in number-were in the old camp, and then
came the imperturbable Dwight Tredway,
Quartermaster of the 23d, with that perpetu-
al smile on his face, looking for his trains,
without the slightest trace of alarm or excite
ment. From him We learned that abou. 90
OF the boys were left, and subsequently, the
number increased to about hundred,-that
Col. Guppy was wounded and prisoner, Capt.
Sorenson the same; that Capt. Bull was tax
en- prisoner; that the brave and daring sol
der, Alonzo G. Jack, and some others were
killed, and so OF long list of neighbors and
friends.
l started at once for the field, but meeting
Gen. Washburn, was informed that the whole
force was ordered back to Carbon Crow
Bayou, and that it was useless to proceed as
they would leave before l would reach the
old camp, so we fell back to headquarters to
wait for them. 1t was long after dark before
they arrived. l stood upon the bridge full
two hours waiting for them. They came up
joking and laughing, in no way dispirited or
depressed at the terrible ordeal they had
passed; and then there was such hand
shaking with all of them as | never had be-
fore. They supposed US lost. They had stood
on higher ground than the camp-had seen
the cavalry rush down upon it before we were
aware of it, and had fairly given US over to
the chances in Dixie-and their 10y was in
proportion at seeing US safe, while mine was
equally great at finding so many unhurt, and
so comparatively few killed and wounded.
This battle opened by sudden attack of
$500 rebel infantry upon the Goth Indiana
and 96th Ohio in the woods, which soon broke
and fell back, when the rebel cavalry charged
upon the battery 9th Ohio) and captured
two guns, one OF which was retaken. The
charge of the 23d Wisconsin was to save the
balance OF the battery, and 1t Saved 1t, but was
itself speedily overwhelmed and compelled
to retreat. Gen. Burbridge gives it this credit,
and OF saving what was left of the brigade.
1t checked the advance long enough to allow
retreat, and certainly it was not in mortal
power under such fire to have done more,
The brigade went into the fight with ,OlO
men, and came out with SOL. The 23d went
in with 2O6 muskets and 20 officers and came
out with SO men. Being now reduced to a
mere company, the authorities in Wisconsin
ought, If possible, to secure its return to the
State to recruit up its wasted strength No
Drawer men ever went upon a battle field,
and although one of the later regiments, it
yields to none in the service it has rendered.
The rebel loss was far more severe Green
and Taylor united their forces for the dash,
and, from the best sources of information at
tainable, they brought into the field $500 in
tantry, 1900 cavalry, or mounted men, and
one battery. Eighty of them lay dead di-
rectly in front Of our first line of battle in
the woods, and how many others fell our
forces had not counted at the time of leaving.
Wounded prisoners were exchanged next day,
and the rebels reported their loss at about
100 killed, from 400 to 500 wounded, and
about 100 prisoners. As their attacking force
came up eight lines deep, the bullets must
have told terribly upon them.
Of the result of the election in the 23d
nothing specific can be stated. The vote for
the Union ticket was nearly unanimous but
the poll lists Of part of the companies were
lost, and Of those saved there is generally
lack Of officers left to make out the certifi-
Gates. In one company, one inspector was
killed, one taken prisoner, with both clerks,
leaving but one officer of the board. 1 ad-
vised him to append an affidavit of the facts,
but what will be done do not know.
Both the 18th and 10th Corps had fallen
back to Vermillion Bayou, when 1 left there
On Saturday. 1t is reported that the 18th
has been ordered to Memphis. 1t belongs to
Grants army, proper 1t is reported also,
and believed, that Brownsville, Texas, is in
possession of Gen. Banks. If so, my next
assignment will take me to the Rio Grande.
Yours, H. A.