Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-04-28
Leo ] from the EIghh RegIs.sns.
CAMP MTIEs ABOVE YousG,s PoIxr, I
Iouisana ADril g. ga


Mr.. EDIroR:-L Allow me the privilege
of making known to our numerous friends,
through the columns of your paper, the
present position Of the "Old Eighth.
We are encamped on the low, damp bot
tom of the Mississippi River, at place
known as Desota, situated on the bank oil
the river, on the Louisiana shore two miles
above, and on the opposite side from, the
mouth of the Yazoo River; at the point
where we are now cutting canal from the
river into large bayou which forms into
a lake and connects with the river again
twelve miles below the rebel den, Vicks-
burg. The river is nayigable for vessels Of
light draught, and can be used to great
advantage in the way Of conveying part of
our forces to point where their services
will prove more effectual 10 the speedy
rout of the rebels, if not the capture Of
their entire force at that place. There is
at present eighteen thousand men at work
on it daily, and should the weather per-
init, we will finish it within the next fifteen
days, but this afternoon presented rath-
or stormy appearance. The water in the
river at present is four feet, three inches
higher than the common level of the sur
rounding country, and is rising slowly, so
there is no doubt but the canal will event
ually answer the purpose entire. The boys
of the 9Th are in better health to-day than
they have been since entering the service,
there being but few absent in hospitals,
and less on the SICK list in camp, and gen.
orally speaking the men in the regiment
throughout look hale and hearty. The
boys were taken by surprise yesterday morn
ing by the announcement, by their respec-
tive company commanders, that they were
called upon to exercise their choice in the
election of chief Justice, for the supreme
court of Wisconsin. which was given with
deIiberation. The number of votes polled,
3s5, of which l.. S, Dixon received 3e5, and
NJ NJ. Cothren 20. The election was not
over when it was announced that the pay
master had arrived, and taken up bis quar-
tiers at Col Robins headquarters, and was
ready to pay us four months wages. As
the pay rolls were presented the boys were
called upon to fall in and receive their reg
ular Green Backs which were dealt out to
them mostly in one and two dollar bills
which forms barrier to sending il home,
but the boys are intent upon it's going.
The only cause for complaint is that our
mail does not get to us very regularly
since we started down the river. 1t has
been fourteen days since we have received
any mail whatever yet VS. still watch the
approach of every boat with eagerness, ex-
pecting that it bears us news from home.
We are very much crowded here, as the
country is almost entirely submerged in
water, and the space of our camp is very
much limited. The boys seem to think
that this is very bard place to serve their
countr.. yet they seem willing and deter
mined to see it through, and if need be to
lay down their lives for the sake Of their
country, and those principles so dear to
every patriot and freeman. We wish 10
see the end of this wicked rebellion, and
we hope to glory in the final triumph OF
freedom forever ONSI Llc NlGhSu aHJ aNLot-
sed institution of slavery, which has
brought upon us this terrible war of blood
shed, misery and woe. 1t has been with
no little surprise and uneasiness that we
have seen from the Northern papers, the
course the Copperheads in the North are
persuing towards the Administration and
the vigorous prosecution Of the war to
final close. But we warn those miserable
traitors not to deceive themselves for one
moment, by supposing that the army sym
pathizes with them in their reasonable
course. ! believe the army is, to-day,
loyal to the core, and should these soldiers
live to return to their homes in the North
woe be unto chose men at home, who are
doing all in their power to destroy then
country, while Il g army is passing through
scenes Of hardship to defend the time
honored flag Of our glorious union.
]. M. FLINT,
Co. r, 9Th Regt., w Y.