The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-01-30
Our Military Correspondence.
FROM TIE FORTY SECOND REGIMENT.
STEAMER DEs MONIES, 81 Brigade,

STEAMER DES MONIES, ID brigade,
lst Div Army of tho Miss,
Jan. 4th, 1868.
EDITOR DEMOCRAT ;--Since this terrible
sacrifice of human life began, it has been
customary for newspaper correspondents TO
give accounts OF tho groat Federal victories;
but, when we meet with reverses, wo are
apt 10 put bright sdo to affairs, and thus
deceive tho public. Wo have met with
perhaps tho most reverse doteat of tho war.
and purpose to givc your readers an &C
count of il, as IL is.
Gen. Sherman landed his force about
twelve miles up tho Yazoo, in the afternoon
of Dec. 26'h AS to tho exact strength of
his force, | cannot speak, but it was between
sixty and seventy thousand. This is, donbt-
less, low estimate. Soon after the land
ing was affected, strong picket was cent
out; and, before dark, Col. Dc Courcev's
brigade. consisting of tho 42ih and 10th
Ohio, 22d Ky. and 54h Ind. went out
toward Vlcksburg. on n accommodating expo
ditiop. The l6.h Ohio. who were in advance
soon engaged tho cnomy's plckets. and a
sharp skirmish ensucd. The gunhoats ran
up go as to shell the enemys forlifcations,
| and We soon learned what we wishod to, ro-
! turned to tho rivor bank, and biyouackod
| for tho night.
| Early on the morning of tho 2Tth. gen.
eral advance was commenced; Gen, Smiths
division on the right, Con. Steeie's on tho
left, and Gen. Goo. W. Morgan's in tho CEN
ter. We advanced to our old accommodating
ground without mcoting with resistance.
| Tho ground from the river for thrce or.four
miles back, is very level and considerably
clear of timber, but tall weed with thick
burs covered tho ground, and prevented
lanything from being seen Mt any distance.
Through these weeds We advanced, Cos. A
and 3, AID Ohio, forming the advance line Of
skirmishers. Whonwo came in sight OF a
widow Smiths plantation, we discovered a
line of skiimishers in advance. We ad-
yanced cautiously, and the enemy slowly
withdrew, without a shot being fired by
! either party. la the moantimo. Gen. Smiths
1 division had moved forward and engaged
the enomy on our right. with infantry and
artillery. He (Smith) kept up brisk fro
an hour or more. then all firing ceasod
We had gained tho plantation, which was
situated on small omnenco. Beyond the
house there is deep bayou, which is i'm
passahlo except upon logs, &c. There il
also bayou on tho left of tho house. The
two almost meet at right angles, only mar.
row neck of land being between. Cos. A
, and bad passed the house, Co. A in ad
i, vance. when the Rebels opened FIRE upor
US. They wore in wood on our left ant
across the bayou. We returned the fire
Presently Col De- Courccys brigade came M
also CAPT. Fosters battery (Wis.) Th'
brigade depoyed. tho 42d supporting tn,
battery. Tho enemy had a force concealed
Q in the wood. who opened destructive fir
on the 22d Ky. Tho skirmishors were re
called, and the brigade and battery were q
onco engaged. The enemy's fire slackene'
and finally ceased. Night closed in, an,
the battle for this day (27th) was eudot
: We lost two killed and several wounded
All night ve handled tho shovels and pick
r and before morning, bad strong earth
work all along our front.
Very early in the morning OF the a6th,t ,th
baltic opened with terrible fury. Tho can
nonading was so incessaut that, when tn
:, sun arose, II was almost obscurod by th
clouds of black smoke that rolled from IN
battle. field. Heavy firing was heard o
our right and left, and wo we'll knew thu
Smith and Steele were also hard atwork.-
Toward noon, tho enemy seemed 10 will
draw little, and wo occupied evcry inch {
fast as it was g;von up. We madc fian
movement, and entered tho wood a little
the left of our first front. when the onem
, opened again. Col Do Courcoy ordered Il
ei 42d and 5ith to fix bayonets and charg'
~ The order was executed in fine style. @
ie A. AID. lod the way With deafening 20
we rushed upon them, but wo mot storl
: of leaden hall Four of Co. AS boys fc
. wounded, ons probably mortally. Amor
those who displayed the most cooIness al
paIlantry in this charge, wore Corporal ID.
Gates and private Frank Clover. Cloy
'ly was struck in the right temple, but D
's se seriously injured. Amasa G. Cook was sh
. through the shoulder, and W. Ellenwo'
/, lost his fingers. We drove the enemy fro
. the wood. Corporal Gates captured thr