Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-03
Movements of the 18th Wisconsin,


EDITORS OF TsR STATE JeERSAL: We have
| just got into camp, after marsh of % miles,
which We have performed at the rate of three
and one-sixth miles per hour, and l cannot
think of anything so agreeable to pass away
| the evening as to renew my communication
with the many friends left behind through
| the medium Of your columns l suppose YOU
are aware that the I'd Brigade, lst Division
| 18th A. c., (of which the llth Wisconsin still
forms an important part is commanded by
our old and deservedly favorite Colonel c. L,
| Harris. Our Brigade is one that any soldier
| may be proud to belong to. The 2lst, 22d.
| and 23d Iowa, who are associated with US
are regiments that have no superiors in the
army they are worthy comrades. The Brig
ade was last summer commanded by Gen.
Lawler, and won laursls for him on several
occasions. On his return to the service, af-
| ter short absence on leave, he found Col.
Harris in command, and knowing that he was
| the choice of the Brigade, and withal one of
| the oldest colonies in the service, he accept
ed command Of the Sd Brigade and left our
colonel in command of the I'd. ...z-
Since we have been attached to the de-
partment of the Gulf, we have for the first
time been associated with Eastern troons
| and we do not like the exchange. We know
that they are good lighting men, but there is
so much useless fuss about them, they don't
seem to have got used to soldering. They
gave US very boorish and illnatured recep-
| ton on our first joining them, and we feel
that we can never fraternize as we have done
with the Western boys wherever we have
met 1t is undeniable that the 18th and 18th
Army Corps are distinct institutions, and al
| though we may stand shoulder to shoulder in
the same fight, we shall have "no connection
with the shop on the other side'
We marched from Brashear CITY on the Sd
inst, Starting as usual promptly at the ap
pointed time-6 o'clock An passing through
Pattersonville, Centerville and Fran kiln. and
arrived at New Iberia on the 9th. The country
through which we marched is very fine, and
bears evidence of great wealth splendid
mansions, surrounded by every convenience,
were passed at short intervals in one garden
an iron framed arbour beautifully light and
graceful structure, was the object of attrac-
| ton; In another, superb marble fountain,
while the orange groves and ornamental shrub,
berry gave an air of opulence that we had
never before met with. Unlike the sugar
plantations ON the Mississippi river which
are confined to narrow strip of land, those
III this part of the country stretch off for
miles.
We left New Iberia on the 9th en- route for
Opelousas. On approaching the village of ST.
Martinsyille, eight miles from New Iberia, a
few struggling shots told US of the proximity
of the enemy. 1t was amusing to see with
what alacrity every man in the command
sprang to the sound those in i'll health who
had been unable to carry their arms, at once
| forgot all thought of sickness, ran back to
| the train, eagerly donned their accoutrements,
known riff 20 WI che ~
the siege of Vicksburg was inseparable from
themselves and ever promptly in the ranks
nobody seemed at all excited; officers gave
their orders promptly, knowing from expert
| ence that hey were right. The 18th being
in advance were deployed as skirmishers.
The order was barely given when the inter-
venlng fence was leVeled as if by magic, and
the boys were advancing with all the eager
ness OF old veterans. A small body of horse
ment were seen about half mile off, making
good time Gen. Washburn was in the ad-
vance and pointed them out to his orderlies.
Away went the boys in pursuit like the wind,
and after half an hours run brought in eight
prisoners one of them Lieutenant Colonel.
The rebels retired before our skrmishers, and
scattered in all directions. The next time
we met any OF them they were pursuing the
avocations of peace, their houses, perhaps
adorned with French, English Or neutral
flag, and they looking as innocent as if they
did not know the country was at war at all.
That day we marched twenty miles,
We arrived at Nermillion Bayou on the
10th where we remained in camp until the
23d, when we marched in heavy cold rain,
arriving at Opelousas on the oath. Here we
halted until the 9th when we were ordered
back, for what purpose do not know, and if
| did, | suppose l should not feel at liberty to
tell but be the cause what it may, the result
we hail with the pleasure we always teel on
| returning to where we an opportunity of
again hearing from home. The last letters
we received were dated Sept Oath and 25th :;
what you have been doing since is as much a
mystery to US as cur movements are to you
This campaign has been very severe on the
men from the fact that they have not suffici-
ent clothing to protect them from the cold
and wet, which we feel more keenly than we
ever felt it in Wisconsin. 1t was the testi-
mony of every man whom | heard speak On
the subject, that he had suffered more on the
march of the 23d from Vermilionville than
on any day since he had been in the service.
When the command left Carrolton on the 4th
of September, we were ordered 10 leave all
baggage, tents, knapsacks, &C., to start in
light marching order, and were assured that
in ten days we should be in comfortable
quarters. What the intention was or how
changed, we know not, we only know that we
have marched 200 miles and been out Sc DAYS
with insufficient blankets and clothing, many
of the men have nothing but rubber blan-
ket which, with small shelter tent forms
meager protection against cold storm.
The vote of the Iowa troops was more de-
cisive than l had expected. l have heard
soldiers, when resting on a march, discuss
politics with a freedom from all restraint,
| whether as to choice of language or manner
of handling the subject, that would be decid-
eddy refreshing to you home politicians; and
on such occasions have heard so many avow
themselves 'Mahony democrats, by c." that
| expected to have seen a larger vote for
General futile. l find many Iowa soldiers
| equally surprised at the result they attri-
butte it to the effect produced by the returned
| furloughed men, who have been home, and on
| rejoining their comrades, gave accounts of
| how they found matters at home that could
not be doubted. Every hardship that the
| soldier feels, embitters him against any one
| who, for whatever cause, seems to throw i'm
| pediments in the way of speedy and victori-
| Gus termination of the To the volun-
| teer who enlisted two years ago, when there
| was no pressure but sense Of duty and right
| to influence him, it seem most disgraceful
to those at home that a draft has been re-
| sorted to. He thinks it should be sufficient
for the Commander-in-Ch of the army to
| signify need of more men, to have that
need promptly supplied; and when, in addi-
| ton to the general necessity, particular ap-
peal is made to an individual by means of the
| draft, it appears recreant in the man to re-
| sist and traitOrOus in any other tn oounca1