Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-14
Correspondence Of the Ohio stateman,l
Letter from the Ninety-Fifth Ohio.
CANT NEAR YoUNos PorNrl
TuupanIv Anil 9 1859 Z

EDIT0Rs STArEsMAN;-I propose to give you |
brief account of our expedition to this place
Intervening such other matter as l may deem
of interest to you and your readers And first
] will describe our trip
FaoM HELENA TO PROVIDENCE. .e
Last Friday afternoon, March 81, orders wert
given to us in our camp near Helena, Ark, "a
prepare three days cooked rations, and to hold
ourselves In readiness to march at moment,s
notice. On Saturday morning about 9 o'clock
we went on board the steamer Lacon, smal
stern wheel boat. Our regiment filled every
nook and Cornerstone four companies being on
the hurricane deck, and our company (A) one
Of them. After. considerable labor, we succeed
ed In getting up some tents, which sheltered me-
little from the wind that blew pretty briskiy.
Our boat remained st the landing until five
or six regiments of our division were embark
ed. At seven o'clock on Saturday evening our
fleet OF five steamers showed off down the river.
We had scarcely got und er headway when il
commenced raining. This was not very agree
BILE TO rs on the top of the steamer. We had
not been lying down long before little rivulets
and rills were plainly felt making their way to
the sides OF tho boat, and Immediately under
our blankets. Some of the boys forthwith rose,
but others thought they could rest oomposedly,
and kept their blankets wrapped tightly around
them. The wind increased in fury until IL
blew a perfect hurricane. The boys we're
awakened by their tent being torn from It's
fastenings and cast away. They sought other
quarters like so many half drowned rats.
The wind continued to blow, and It, was very
cold the remainder of Saturday night, and oil
day on Sunday and Monday. 1t was 90 diff
cult to keep warm that almost came to the
conclusion that the Equator and North Pole had
changed places, and that we we're fast approach
Ing snow and icebergs. We even had shower
of hail-stones on Monday afternoon.
DEsoLATIoN or THE COUNTRY.
There are great many apparently fine PLAN
tations along the river; but they seem for the
most part to be deserted. A great MANY large
and stately dwellings are closed up and with
out an inhabitant. Not even negro is to be
seen. A large portion of the land alcng the
river has been completely overfowed, either
by the guerrillas cutting the levee, or the water
being 80 high as to break through. In some
places, the water was seen extending back into
the country on both sides OF the river as far as
the eye could reach, It would seem that, If
things continue on in their present course,
the entire South must be under water before
tue end OF tne war.
ARRIVAL AT PROVIDENCE.
At about three o'clock Sunday afternoon, we
hauled up al Providence, Louisiana, eight hun
dred and fifty miles below Memphis, having
made the return trip from our camp near Hele.
ma, q distance of two hundred and fifty miles,
in less than twenty hours without stopping.
At Providence canal is cut through to Lake
Providence, and thence leads indirectly into
Red river. Some three or four weeks ago, the
levee was cat, and it is said the water rushed
through with great velocity, kissing and roar
ing 60 as to be heard for many miles. It over
flowed the canal and washed through the coun-
try, upturning trees and carrying away houses
and fences, in short order. Almost the whole
of Providence was inundated, there being but
four or five houses out of water, and, believe,
but two families of whites remaining. From
appearances, it was at one time quite thriving
little village; but it ia now, no doubt, gone for
ever. The water rushes through the canal at
the rate of six or eight miles an hour. No
boats of any size have as yet gone down the
Pass thus formed, there being many trees and
stumps in il which block up navigation.
BRIEF ENcAMPMENT