The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-05-13
a. te AaiIu auurnar.
From the First Indiana Cayalay.
CAMP MavI I

Whatever horror or glory there is col
nected with the history of the Ist Ind
ana cavalry, is intimately associate
with our late Lieut.. Colonel VIM. +
Wood, now the worthy and esteeme
Colonel of the Black Regiment, organ
lied here. la every skirmish and fgh
OF any note in which we have been en-
gagged, he has been our fearless and sue
eessful leader. At tFredericktown where
the gallant Major Gavitt fell, the con
duct and bearing of Major Wood was
such as to impress upon our minds the
b. "nnui"''H" chat ho was kind, as well q :
brave and efficient officer An n,
preston which eighteen months expert.
ence has resolved into certainty, for in
all our toilsome marches, in the priva-
tions and dangers through which wo
have passed, in every scout at the head
of the force whether few or many, he
was always q cheerful partaker. Dress
ed in the uniform OF a private, he was in
a great degree, the friend and comrade
OF every soldier, encouraging the boys
with kind and pleasant word, joining
in, our amusements, and singing the
same songs, at night, he would pass
from fire to 6re, we all felt that he was
one of as, and hence as general thing
he was beloved by all, and he has gone,
we feel that 1--WE ne'er shall look upon
his like again"
1t is common saying here that if any
one can make good soldiers out Of
Darkeys, Col. Wood can We know
that he can get more work and more
fight out of men than any man in this
army. 1t is standing remark in the
lst Indiana, "Just let Col Wood lead us
on, and we can whip anything you can
scare up" 1t is remarkable fact, that
when he was in command, no difference
how great the odds against us, we always
came out victorious. On the lst of MAY,
1862, at Jacksonport, Ark, with thirty.
five men he whipped $50 rebels.
On the 10th day of May, at Bayou De-
bue, with six men, he whipped sixty reb-
els, driving them into the water up to
their armpits. This circumstance. bow
ever incredible, is nevertheless true. On
the morning Of the 10th day of May, leav-
ing Captain, now Major, Julean D.
Owens company at Hills plantation,
Col Wood and Lieut.. McCauley with
eleven men, Stated towards BAYOU De-
bue, in a short time they started the
picketS and chased them about four
miles- when thex- vera yGrAd L.
Smith from Posev e6G e6ant9 tiIdfans Indiana, and
mortally wounded another, besides kill
ing one horse and wounding others.
Col. Wood with three others, dismounted
(the balance being behind in the ehase.)
and took behind trees from which posi-
ton, they fought the rebels, bringing one
down every time they fired. At length by
A ruse of Col. Woods (who ordered up
the artillery, when there was none with
in eight miles the enemy became fright
ened and fed with all speed. Col Wood,
Lieut. McCauley and Corporal Shelton
Franklin followed them, yelling with all
their might, until the rebels in their pan
ic. took to the water. On the I'd of July,
with two companies of cavalry and 100
infantry, he attacked and whipped Col.
Mattoxs regiment of cavalry, killing
twelve, and not losing a man. On the
4th of Jnly, Col. Baker with part OF his
regiment celebrated Indepenenae day by
attacking and whipping 500 rebels at the
mouth Of Red River Col. Baker (than
whom iuster man never was In the
ARMY gave Col. Wood great credit for
GOODNESS and bravery.
On the 7th of July, 230 Indiana cav
alry and 100 Wisconsin infantry, under
command of Col Woods, met, fought
and completely routed Gen. Rusts com
mand of 5000 men at Cache River
| taking prisoner one man, and killing
ll5 rebels (fouud dead on the feld)
with loss on our side of ii killed ant
Al wounded. 1t was here that the gal
lant and much lamented Capt. Sloan, o
Crawford county, Indiana, fell; her,
Major Clendenning was severely wound
ed; here Capt. Pace, Lieuts. Weathers
Lamb. Denneman, Sergt Craig, AM
others proved themselves men of III
Ainching courage, and brave almost t
recklessness. 1t was here the secon
battalion and the battery boys won ur
enuailed in the history of this rebellion
and in numerous otner sklrmlshes an
fqbts the victory has been ours. 4,
On the 10Th day of February, on til
Yazoo Pass, $50 Of the lst Indiana an
9Th Illinois, led by Col Wood, attacke
and routed four companies of rebel ca
alry. under command of Forrest, klll!I
@ wounding II, and capturing 10, wit
,nt anv loss on our side. But wh
.avails it to tell-for him to fight, 1t is
win; and now there is not a soldier
the whole regiment but feels that he h
fost friend, and the regi giment bra
and successful leader. The expressio
of both officers and men are, that tn
\ would rather go into a fight under
y command of Col. Wood than any m
living; but we have good officers lef
Majors Pace and Owen will preserve
Is renutation of our regiment. Both
ed them are brave and efficient officers
IS the common remark here that we al
~, fighting cavalry regiment.
rs rss This article is written as a tribute
ing one from whom l have experleln
the much kindness, and for its truthfulr
dare appeal to every man in the r
ment. He is no longer with US, but
wish him "God speed he has won
use. eaole with the point Of his sabre; an
nd the good wishes of his friends avail
eagles will soon fly up, and star c
down.