Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-31
From the 18th Wisconsin.
Correspondence Of the State Journal.
NATCHEZ. Miss. Dec IN !

i
our history at that point, and relate orr al
ventures to the present time.
We were taken to the old rebel ,rorI,s r,,o,,
Fort Hill, where We were paid off to the at
of November, and staid there three davs
when we marched to Clear Creal, ton 81,
in the rear OF Nlcksburg, and beran maxine
for a prolonged stay, Tents IF
which we had been in great want for lono-
time, were issued, chimneys built, narsde
ground cleared, and everything put into GOOD
shape for living.
On the morning of the 4th of December
however, we received orders to prepare for
scout, and accordingly left camp about 10
o'clock, taking the road to Vicksburg. The
SD Illinois accompanied us, with one gun
from the It'll Ohio, and one from the I'd II
inois batteries. Detachments from the 4tb
5th, 10th and 18th Illinois, with Others from
the 4th Iowa and 10th Missouri cavalry. in
all about 500 mounted men, preceded Us.
With this force we embarked on four laroe
river boats, and IN the morning started down
the river, accompanied by four of the Marine
Brigade Fleet all under command of Brio
Gen Gresham of our Brigade.
We reported every few miles to the patrol
ling gunboats, arriving at Natchez about
dark. Here we learned that the rebs vera
making trouble on each road Iesdino INTO
town, and soon after our arrival thew drove
in the picketS on the Washington road
About midnight we left the boats, MARCHING
to the forks Of said road, throwing out COM
pany A as an advance guard, and forming a
line of battle with the rest of our regiment.
on the left of the picket post The SD H.
linois went out on the Woodvile road, the
2sth illinois came to US and took position on
our right on the Kingston road, while the
Marine Brigade occupied a strong position
on the Pine Ridge road
The rebels, some three thousand stronp.
with a battery Of four to l3-pounder GUNS,
as estimated by various persons, commanded
by the notorious Gen. Logan, were close to
the pickets on each road, and, as we after
wards learned, had resolved to attack the
town next morning, and could be heard talk.
ing and tramping among the brush from our
picket posts. When daylight arrived. the
scamps had left, alarmed at something, and
cavalry were sent out in all directions to look
for the fugitives. Towards noon our regi-
ment, with the SD Illinois and the artillery,
pushed into the country, hoping to get
chance at the rebs., but were again doomed
to be disappointed
After marching few miles on the WASH
ington, we turned to our right up the Pales-
tine road again turned to the right some
miles further on, where the General informed
US that he was trying to get into the rear of
the foe, while the cavalry prevented his es-
cape by engaging him in front By-and-by
we reached the Kingston road, and then
marched several miles in the dark on our cir
cuitous route, when we halted, having march
ed over twenty-five miles
Marina do ,,-oro ,o,oo,+o1 o., To-
ing had a severe skirmish on the Pine Ridge
road, and had driven the rebs. to parts I'M
known. Our cavalry, under Col. Farrar of
the 3Oth Missouri, were reported as having
got the enemy at bay some two miles off, and
would keep them there until our arrival, to
finish the investiture and bag the game. At
daylight we were astir, travelled rapidly,
crossed Second Creek just below Youngs
plantation, where it flows through a most
PERCEPTIONS canon. On ascending the hill our
ears were greeted with the sound of musket-
ry, showing that the ball was opened, and we
saw our cavalry man9uvering around Ben
netts house and buildings. The General
turned us back, saying "Weve got them
where we want them" took us back across
the creek, and disposed of his troops about
1oung's house and premises in very scen-
tific manner. Soon the cavalry joined US,
followed to the creek by the rebs, having
lost an orderly sergeant killed and a cap
tain and private wounded of the 4th
Illinois. 1t was expected that the
rebs. would follow them in force, ana
that we should have a regular fight, but alas
for human calculations, the main body of the
rebs with 60 wagons AM their artillery NOV
ed southwark, while the party which had
been skirmishing with US, came down into
the canon of the creek, rode up in it, until
they arrived at the Kingston road, which they
took, and left US far behind, laughing in their
sleeves at the way they had escaped, right
under our noses and within musket shot.
After waiting a while, we fell into line
again, not knowing then of the movements of
the flying foe, and went several miles on the
Woodville road, as the general said, eff they
will not fight us there they will not fight at
all, until we were informed that the game
was flown, upon which we faced about and
soon went into camp.
We were ordered to 90 to the houses and
take everything we might find that was eata-
BILE, burn up as much fence as might as might
be needed for fires, but not plumber any of
the houses, and most thoroughly the boys
obeyed. Cattle sheep and poultry were shot
and prepared for eating before huge fires of
rails. Butter, milk, eggs and honey were
plentiful, and the boys event in with
will. During the night heavy rain fell,
soaking them to the skin, and making the
roads muddy to the last degree. The troops
fell back next morning to the town and stopped
there all day.
Yesterday we marched through town and
were coralled in a cotton yard, corner of Main
and Broadway streets, waiting for our tents
and baggage which has been sent for to
Vicksburg.
The rebels burned out Mr. Merrill, totally
destroying everything onhis place, on Sunday
night. On Tuesday night Mr.. Marshall and
Mr.. Reynolds were cleaned out, and the dis
comfted rebels seem determined to punish
every Union man in the country by burning
up and driving off all he may possess.
On Tuesday the steamers Van PHIL and
atlantic were fired into at Moganza Bend, La,
below here, the captain Of the former killed,
pilot wounded, and several of the crew and
passengers likewise, besides damaging the
boat seriously. 1t is altogether probable that
we may go down there tomorrow, to clear
out the rascals, and put stop to their i'm
pertinence.
1t is reported that we shall make this place
our headquarters, and be employed in SCOUT
ing the river this winter, to prevent, as much
as possible the depredations Of the cowardly
guerrillas. W.
DISTRIBUTION OF HEAT IN DREss.-Dr. Dio
Lewis says, ON this point: "Whatever the
used, the form and arrangement of
it should be such as to retain an equal amount
of heat over the whole body. Thus, and thus
only, is balanced circulation insured, and
the system effectually braced against either
extreme Of temperature, together with its
changes. As an equilibrium of the vital
fluid is essential, and it can be secured only
by an equal distribution of clothing over the
of course, with its non-com-
pression-it follows that the cut is not of
minor Importance in the construction ofdress.