Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-11-05
CAMP NEAR FAIRFAX STATION, Va. !
October 18th, 1868.

CAMP NEAR FAIRFAX STATION, Va
October 18th, 1868.
Editors Journal = Inasmuch as "some-
thing has turned up" of late in the army of
the Potomac wherein the Wisconsin Compa-
ny of Sharpshooters has enacted its part, |
therefore furnish to your many readers anoth-
er letter.
From about the 18th of September until
October 10th the amy of the Potomac had
been advanced as far as the line of the, Rapi-
dan. At the latter date, however, we became
convinced that another move was in order on
the military chess-board by the sounding of
the long roll by both bugle and drum, follow
ed by an order to :" fall in " quickly. So,
hastily picking up, we were soon ready to
march, and not long after left our new camp
with its lumber "fXin's" and were man COVERED
about some little time in the woods as picket
scouts and skirmishers, and were finally drawn
up IN line Of battle in an open field west of
Culpepper prepared for an attack Here we
remained over night without much sleep, be-
ing ordered to keep on the 9asi yire for what
ever might transpire. The next morning
EGIraclug
our steps towards the Rappahannock. While
resting few moments on the way we were
disturbed by a shot being fired on our left
flank. Soon after more followed, and hastily
falling in, we were sent out as skirmishers.
\ few already out having discovered rebel
horsemen proving round, Companies G and
were used as support to the left of the
line. But after feeling our way about half
mile through the brush and open field, we
were assembled, having discovered that a
small body of rebel cavalry had passed by,
which, however, were not now to be seen.-
We captured one man in rebel uniform Not
long after we were again in the column march
ing on, whittier we knew not, although appa-
rently falling back. The roads were good
and the weather COOL therefore notwithstand-
ing packed knapsacks and hayersacks with 60
rounds of ammunition weighed heavily, the
men made good time, crossing the Haizen by
pontoon late in the afternoon, and fording
the Headsman knee-keep about 10 ?. NJ,
finally resting mile this side on hillside,
tired and hungry, somewhat wet and many
muddy, having been so unfortunate as to slip
on the muddy sides of the numerous streams
and creeks that we crossed, thereby having
fall, which, while loaded down as above stat
ed, is no pleasant performance, especially
should rite hammer muZZle crack one on
the head, as was sometimes the case. The
next morning (12th) we were astir early, and
after marching on short distance, finally re-
traced our steps and took a position for the
day and night las it turned OUT on the bank
of the Headsman (branch Of the Rappahan-
mock near the ford. Firing was heard du-
ring the day TO our right and left, and fighting
was evidently going on. The day before We
witnessed from distance Klpatrick's caval-
ry charge, but being notified that he
could take care Of the force of the
enemy pressing him, and that we
had better keep moving we therefore
left him and his gallant band to worst the
daring foe. We left the "Headsman early
on the 18th, and moved back towards War
| renton Junction, leaving Sulphur Springs to
| our left. On several occasions we were Or
dered to lie ready to meet the enemy, as they
were supposed to be lowering on our TANKS.
| We were at one time drawn up in line of
| battle, and the 5th division of the sharp
shooters, Companies G and b. under com
| mand of Lieut.. Stevens, of Wisconsin, were
sent out over large open space to a dense
wood, some three-quarteIs of a mile from the
| main body, who were finely posted on an ell
evated position. Here we lay for a short
time as a support to two companies of Mary
landers but soon after being ordered back,
as the rebels were reported ahead, we again
pushed on, sometimes at double-quicb to
catch up, our regiment being ahead of U.s.
Not long after, firing was heard, and we hur-
ried on, as the booming of cannon told US
that fight was in progress.
THE sKIRMIsH AT AUBURN.
Leaving the road by file left, we were soon
after drawn up in line Of battle, Gen. French
ordering the sharpshooters in on a charge,
stating that those fellows can fight any
way" So fixing bayonets ION our short but
trusty rifes) we were soon off over an open
field towards piece of woods three hundred
yards distant, from whence shots were being
rapidly fired, our loud "war-whoop" making
the welkin ring. Entering the wood, driving
all before them, the sharpshooters kept on to
the top of hill, firing and yelling as they
went, where after some difficulty they were
halted and scouts sent ahead. But the en-
envy had fed from this part of the field, and
soon after the firing on our right also ceased.
Three rebel dead lying in the woods near
where we entered, proved to US that we had
been having bout with dismounted rebel
cavalrymen A large body Of them mounted
were also seen across an open field drawn up
In line OF battle, whcreupon several Badger
scouts gave them few rounds at about three
hundred yards; but they soon left. Our loss
was slight; two wounded in the sharpshoot-
ers-none in Co. G. The torn and ragged
regimental colors received three bullet holes
through It, Again we were moving on, and
until late at night did we continue to march,
the night being dark and the men fatigued
and weary. The sharpshooters were out on
each side of the road as fankers portion of
the way. We finally rested at Greenwich,
two Badger scouts being the first to enter the
place IN company with an infantry officer
We marched by road over twenty-six miles
that day, besides skirmishing. It was now
rumored about that the rebels were giving US
a hard race for position near Bull Run and
Centreville, and the next morning, the 18th,
we were soon quickly marching on, the sharp
shooters again put out as fankers, but were
recalled on Manassas Plains Crossed Broad
Run, filing to left and rear, when we again
drew up in line of battle. Soon after left,
however, and finally crossed Bull Run at
Blackburn's Ford the old earthworks used
when the I'd Wisconsin went into their first
fight still to be seen. Arrived on the heights
near Centreville in the afternoon, where we
found large portion of our army already in
position, having arrived by different routes.
The celebrated Iron Brigade was there with
its small but invincible Second. Here we
remained over night. Late in the afternoon
we could see plainly the flashes that preceded
the lannon's deep roar" in the battle then
going on at Bristoe Station kettle RUM in
which the Second corps were actively engaged
The First Minnesota are said to have per
formed good service in this fight This is
not to be wondered at however as they are |
old veterans surely. On the 18th we marched |
to Fairfax Station where we encamped near |
by in the timber. That evening we were |
turned out without arms to receive Mai. Gen.
Sickles, who came from Washington by the |