Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-10-02
C. e. SMITH,
Co, |, 32d o. V. /
From the goth Regiment.
CAMP PORN REGIMENT, o. V.

Vicksburg, Miss, Sept. 9, 1863.
Ed. Gazette: Having returned from
scouting expedition of II days, in the wilds OF
Louisiana very much fatigued and worn our
with the severe marching which we have been
required o o, 1 bought l would
give you a sketch of the country and pc, e,
such as l was able to gather from limited
opportunity.
81 Friday, Aug. 2lst, we embarked at Vicks
burg, the steamer Clara Bel being assigned
TO the.2Oth. We had a pleasant trip up the
river TO Goodriches Landing, wfe-e we dis
embarked and marched to beautiful grove
10 await the coming Of the Division train
Here was encamped negro battalion. part OF
which was in the engagement at Millikens
Bend. Their camp is clean, as well as the
men iu their dress. As to their 6ghti1g quail
tiles have no doubts, for tBaat has been tested
The train arriving Sunday evening, we march
ed at to overtake the Division encamped al
Bay IN Tanses, u miles from Goodlicbes
Lauding. The night being clear and the moon
shining we Lad no difficulty in keeping the
road, which was hedged in on both sides by a
dense forest. As we moved along l could not
help thinking of pleasant Sabbath evenings
spent at home. My reveries we're suddenly
interrupted by the announcement that the
bridgelover Bayon sTanses had given way and
company d was required to repair. the dam
age. The moon having gone down, fires were
built that we might see to repair the break
BY 2 o'clock our work was done and the train
passed over. Men, from the. severity of the
march, as soon as their arms We're stacked,
threw themselves upon the bare ground and
soon were fast asleeps Here we rested dur
ing the day. AT in the evening we resumed
our march, reaching iBFhfyou Macon by II al
night. Here we found some breast works but
their defenders had fed.
Our march continued through q low fiat
country, thinly inhabited. Occasionally we
came in sight of a small log cabin Women
and children flOeked to the door to see US pass
Water is very scarce here at this season, and
we were often obliged to use water from holes
! by the road side for cooking aud drinking
| Wednesday, 26ih, we forded the river Beouff
and reached Oak Ridge, occupied as camp
by The Texas Cavalry, who fed at our ap-
proach. Their sick in hospital and supplies
were left behind. Several new made wells
supplied US with plenty of good water for the
night.
Friday, 2Stb, passing out of the wilderness
into a very rich valley we came TO the little
town Of Monroe, the terminus of the Vicks
burg & Shreveport Railroad. The citizens Of
this town and surrounding country claim to
be loyal and earnestly desire TO live under he
protection Of the old flag. Arriving. at 6diT
destination, and the object of the expedition
being fully accomplished, we returned, making
the longest and quickest march The 20th Ohio
has ever accomplished marching % miles
in nine hours, going into camp about 4 o'clock
"A ration Of Rum was issued to the boys.
which was found very beneficial in arousing
The much exhausted energies of the men. The
balance of the route w0s passed over without
anything worthy of note, accomplishing the
trip in u days, distance Of 16O miles, con-
tinually in the face of the enemy. We are
now enjoying ourselves in our old camp as
best we can, with the heat by day and the
troublesome mosquitoes by night
We bave met with serious loss in that
of our mnch esteemed Colonel NJ. F. Force,
who has been appointed Brigadier General.
! Although we regret the loss OF brave com
mander yet we are proud TO know that for
once true merit has received its Just reward.
We now earnestly hope that our Lieut.. Col.
J. N. McElroy, may soon be with us.
l. lThe health Of company'D is very good at