Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-05-12


Many things of interest having transpired
since you left us, and in compliance with
your request, | now seat myself to give
you brief account of our late expedition
to the Coldwater, against Chalmers of the
Confederate army.) consisting of the 18th,
and SD Wisconsin, the 4lst ILL.,, Infantry,
the 18th Ohio battery and about l5O.men
of the 9Th OHIO Cavalry, all under com
mand of Col Bryant of the 18th Wis.
The next morning after they left, 100
men of our regiment, under Majcr East
man started TO overtake or communicate
with them. 1t raiped heavily the night
previous to our starting, consequently the
Nonconnah and Horn Lake creeks were
not fordable, and had to be swan. But
we were not delayed more than half an
hour in crossing either stream. Soon at
Ter crossing the latter stream, our advance
began skirmishing with the enemy, they
appearing in parties of ten or twelve. On
arriving at Hernando, we learned that the
previous night body of rebels appeared
near town and was charged upon by Maj.
Hays with about rs men of the 5th Ohio
Cavalry, and captured 76 prisoners inclu-
ding7 line officers. This skirmish took
place on the evening of the 18th inst.
The next morning the entire force moved
to the Coldwater where brisk skirmish
took place, lasting about six hours, in
which Major Hays Of the 5th Cavalry,
Capt. Lindley and Lieut.. Swift of the SD
Wis. were killed. Here we overlook the
main body of the force just as the battle
was over; we then fell back to fernando
and camped for the night. Next morning,
| major Eastman, and Capt DeForrest both
being slck,) was ordered to make re
connoisance towards Cold Water in order,
| if possible, to hear something of the where
abouts of Gen. Smith, who was to have
come from LaGrange with force, thus
placing himself south ofChalmers and pre-
venting the enemy's retreat. When not
more than a mile frorI town we were fired
upon by the rebels, and soon came upon a
column of 15O .0en, as | afterwards learn
ed, commanded by Col White who swain
his horse across the river, thus escaping
capture. They formed upon the crest Of
every hill to oppose oursfurther progress,
but only stood long enough to receive the
first fire of our advance when they would
break and run for he next secure place.
thus they continued for six miles. Hear
ing nothing of Gen. mith,we returned safe
ly to fernando without molestation con-
trary to expectation, all thinking that we
would have to cut Our way back to that
place.
We then took up our line Of march for
Memphis, but when at the Nonconnah, we
were ordered to eountermarch, some who
were not we'll ana others whose horses
were broken down continuing on to camp.
We encamped upon the plantation of Col
Fletcher for the night Next morning,
(my command having the right,) we found
bridge of considerable size torn down
which we soon put in a good state OF re-
pair. On entering fernando we captured
rebel Major and four privates. Had my
advice been needed by MAJOR Wilson Of the
18th Illinois who was with us, we would
have taken ten or twelve, having advised
surrounding the town. We got dinner
as soon as possible and moved on the
Holly Springs to the Cold Water; on
reaching the river, we found the bridge
almost burned down and still on fire. Gen
Chalmers having passed over it one hour
before our advance reaching it under the
protection of flag of truce he had sent
the night before to apologize for firing up
on our ambulances while picking up the
wounded on the battlefield, and enqulrlng
if fernando had been burned by the or
der of the officer in command; by the way
the Court House and several other build
ings were burned by some reckless scoun-
dreIs. On the morning Of the 23d, about
daylight / was informed by negro, that
some eight miles from here a large num-
Der of horses and mules were to be crossed
South. / immediately sought and obtain
ed leave of Col. Bryant to intercept them
and under the guidance of the negro pro-
ceeded thither-captured Captain, an A.
@. NJ, 60 to 10 bead of horses a. mules,
several stand Of small arms, two two horse
teams and wagons, one six OK team and
wagon loaded with bacon. so bottles OF
morphine,tw field telegraphic instruments,
released over one hundred negroes who
were being run off to Georgia; when told
they were free you ought to have heard
them shout glory and clap their hands !;
also 100 bottles Of native wine, all OF
which We brought away excepting the
wine, which the boys disposed ofin ''doub-
lie quick time.' We also burned 10000
pounds Of bacon, 8 wagons, 5 barrels Of
lard, one barrel Of coffee, &C., all belonging
to the above @. NJ, Of the Confederate
army. We then returned TO camp without
anything transporting worthy ofnote, having
been absent six days.
have many other things Of interest to
tell you, but find have not space in tbs
to do so. Hoping to hear from you
soon / will now close.
/ have the honor to be your obedienl,
D. L. RILEY.
p. S.--Mr. Robert Glenn, If Wyalu-
i sine. "a napv hare with a variety of articles