Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-20

CORRESPONDENCE of the State journal
CAMP NEAR VIoKsBURG, July 29th, 1868
propose to renew my history of the doings
of the marching 18th" taking up my nara
+. tive Immediately after the capture of this
rebel stronghold.
On Sunday, the 9TH inst, the Fourth Di
vision moved out of camp, directing their
steps towards Black River and encampine
for the night at Clear Creek. The Division
is attached to Gen. Ord's command The
citizens here had killed cattle anu thrown
them into the water, so as to prevent oul
boys from drinking it, and had then bidder
themselves in the swamps a..
After waiting in camp Monday, to give the
advance opportunity to cross Black RIVER
our Division moved some four miles, with
heavy storm of rain pelting on them, making
it almost impossible to proceed Our regi
ment camped on the ground lately occupied
by Breckinridge's rebel command.
On the 9Th We crossed Black River, campec
during the day, and starting at o'clock P
NJ marched till o'clock next morning.
We left camp the next morning early, ant
marched DO Clinton. The rebel soldiers anc
citizens were seen fleeing to the woods. A
march of five miles from Clinton brought the
boys within sight of the rebel works, anc
within sound of their cannon which werc
busy enough
On Saturday, the 18th, the Division was
detailed to guard the heavy trains of wagons
There was great complaint of short rations
A part of our regiment was deploycd as Skin
mishers, to prevent surprises.
Rifle pits had been dug along our front
and on Sunday morning, the 10Th inst, Gen
Lauman ordered a charge of our first brigade
at the cnemy's works. Just before the at
tack, the 28th Illinois, from the third brigade
were ordered to take the place of the 33t
Wisconsin, which was a lucky change fol
= them The enemy concentrated a tremen
dous fire of artillery and musketrv upon the
advancing column, and swept them down a!
strong mower does the grass before hi.
scythc.
Our men were cruelty repulsed the &c
Iowa, which started on the charge 100 strong
left 80 killed, wounded and prisoners the
list Illinois left 100; the sd Illinois los
their Colonel, and so on The casualties
were so severe, that of the four regiments en-
gagged there are not more than about 400 lief
fit for duty. Three companies of our regi
ment were deploycd on the extreme right, t.
prevent the rebels thanking our Division.
Our regiment was ordered on picket duty
to the front on Monday, still on short rations
hard tack and coffee. Gen Lauman was
relieved of his command for ordering the
fatal charge on Sunday, and he at once re
turned to Nicksburg and from thence home
to illinois, The Division was temporarily at
tached to Gen. Ostcrhaus's command, bu
now is commanded by Gen Croker
The regiment was relieved from picket dut,
on Monday morning, but in the evening were
called on to support battery Next morn
ing the regiment moved across the railroad
closer to the rebels.
During the night of the 10th Johnson evac
uatcd his works, not approving of the way
our forces were getting into his rear, anC
travelled eastward at tremendous rate, sc
that but few prisoners could be taken, and
those mostly descrtcrs. Our forces were sc
short Of food, and water so very scarce, that
it was not deemed advisable to follow Will
anything but cavalry A bridge across Pear
river was destroyed to hinder the return o
the rebels, while the boys fired many build
ings in the city on their own account.
On Tuesday, the 21st, the 4th division
started back, marching Is miles to Raymond
Next day marched 20 miles, foraging through
the country from necessity for food to ca
with their hard tack and coffee.
The boys arrived in camp about noon o
Thursday, hungry, footsore and dirty yet yer.
glad to get home, and spent two or three day
repairing clothes, washing and resting, witt
great satisfaction.
Last Saturday, the oath inst, the diyisio,
again broke camp, expecting to move int
the city, but after getting almost there wer
ordered back to the old camps, where we nov
are. We are used to such military demon
strations, but it looks very purposeless to u
as well as you.
When the regiment left Vicksburg 70
Jackson they left behind some 334 men, mos
of whom were either sick or convalescing
many of whom have since reported for duty
but with such water as we get here, it is NJ
wonder that men are sick. The water is al
surface drainage even that from what ar
styled springs, and muddy and bad-tasted al
most invariably.
The division seems to have made a sum
mcr'S location as officers and men are ncttin
furloughs to return home and see their friend
and recuperate their health. -,- e..
..z.. Respectfully yours, ".