Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-02-12
From the Fourth Regiment.
CAMP OF THE 4TH REGIMENT,
Baton Rouge, Jan. Il, 1862.


On the 18th of December our regiment
at Carrollton received orders to march to
gether with the 9th n. Y, Col. Wilson,
and the ID Louisiana, Ool Paine. Some
delay in loading the boats, prevented our
starting until the afternoon Of the 10Th.
when we proceeded up the river, stopping
during the night at Donaldsonville, to
Baton Rouge, where we arrived on the
evening OF the Goth, but did not go on
shore until the next morning, when we
proceeded to camp Michigan, the same oc-
cupied by the 9th at the time of th9 battle
last summer.
On arriving on shore, we found we had
been preceded by the 1863, 173 and l79,
n. Y. Regiments and battery of twelve
pieces, who were encamped within the
breastworks built by Col. Paine last sum-
mer, and in command OF Brig. Gen. Gro
yer, who still commands the forces here.
Our camp was placed in charge of Col.
H. e. Paine, and the next day we were
reinforced by the 159th, 1885, and a part
OF the the l74th N. Y, the 18th Maine
regiments and battery of six pieces.
We spent Christmas IN driving in cattle
from outside the picket lines and clearing
we moved about half mile TO the camp &C
! cupied last summer by the Dist Ind. regi-
ment, camp Michigan being left in com
naud OF Col. Wilson, Here we were
Joined By the 25th Con, 26th Maine and
l73d n. Y. regiment, which forms the
third brigade, Col. Paine acting Brigadier
General. We kept strong picket out,
and felied timber into the roads leading
into the country to prevent the cavalry
who were reported to be in strong force q
few miles out, from making dash upon
U.s.
On the 10Th, an attack being anticipa
| ted, our camps were moved back about 8
| half mile, and earthworks thrown up il
front of the whole line. Yesterday the
lorg roll was beaten in camp; the troops
were promptly under arms, bat Col. Paine
rode up and said, that sit was ordered tc
be beaten by Gen. Grover, for practice
and that it was the last long roll for prac
tice that would ever be beat in this camp
There are about thirty thousand troop;
here. They are in excellent spirits anC
! anxious for brush. The weather is de
lighttul, scarcely Geld enough for FROST
Rumor makes The force at Port Hudson
from 10000 to $4,000. The 4th Louisi
ana, encamped this side, it is said are of
tered $4,000 for the colors OF the 4tl
I Wisconsin. We Of the 4th think they viii
earn their money if they take them.
There are 6 large number OF contIaband
here, and more coming every day. The,
are too ignorant and too closely watched
to take advantage to any extent Of the ex
listing circumstances, but knowing tina
they cannot fall into worse hands thai
their masters, they embrace every oppor
tunity Of escaping to our lines. Thoe
who are not employed as servants for com
missioned officers and cooks, are colonz
ed, furnished rations, and employed at ma
king Notifications, levees, roads, &c.
The 4th are in better health than be
fore since We left Baltimore, there ben
fit for duty, about six hundred; in hos
pital there are about fifty, few sick i
camp, and lew on detached service.
We have fine camp, good ratioDs, ligt
drill, aud good time generally.
a. B. S.