The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-11-26
Established 1925.

was HVhc HcTC W Logan DIVIolOn vi
McPherson's corps, and Hardy's Di-
vision Of McCIernand's corps The
forest trees in front Of these Divisions
will testify to this for years to come.
In passing over this battle field the
mangled bodies Of the dead and the |
groans Of the dying were horrible.
On the 18th We were at Big Black
River Bridge, where we played a CON
spicuous part But the "Rcbs" had
got into the way Of running and were
not inclined to tarry long until they
got into their forts at Vicksburg
Here General Osterhaus was wounded.
and rendered unable to ride on horse
back for few days. But early next
morning he was in our midst, cheer
ing the boys by his presence, and with
words Of encouragement.
Next in order came the memorable
seigc Of Vicksburg. We arrived near
the rebel lines late on the 18th, and
on the 18th commenced the work
which finally resulted in the downfall
Of the rebel stronghold. The 10Th and
22d Of May were the most severe days
we spent there. Many Of our brave
comrades fell in attempting to gain nc
cess to the rebel works. Your hum
bic correspondent was slightly wound
/ ed on the 19th.-COl. Cradebaugh, of
our Reg't, was wounded on the 22d.
When it was fully determined to take
Nicksburg by regular seige, our regi-
mcnt was sent to Warrenton, 90 miles
below Nicksburg.) where We remained
until the 18th Of July, when weremov-
cd our camp to Yicksburg. The great
victory that was to be achieved here
was reserved for that day which is al
ready sacred to every true American,
and now is doubly so,-cspecially to
those who participated in the mcmora-
able seige. Our rejoicings were truly
great. Only one more rcbelhold. and
the so called Confedcracy is in twain.
had the honor Of being aboard the
first steamboat (the Forest Queen that
landed at the wharf after the surrcn-
der. But here again our weak pow
ers Of description fail Us in attempting
to portray the miserable appearance
ofthis rebellious city. No wonder the
rebel soldiers were discouragel-in
many cases half clad, and almost starv-
ed. A man told me that he had offer
ed $3.50 in gold for one barrel of ffoul
on the I'd Of July. He seemed to think
| was jesting when l told him he coulC
+ get it for S. in Cincinnati.
o We remained at Viclsburg until tht
, 14th Of August, when we again EN-
o barked, and set sail for New Orleans
: But it WAS with the deepest regret
!. that we left our old Department; w,
g were 10th to part with the commando
+ who had directed us so successfully il
=. many a hard-lought battle, and VIII,
was ever willing to endure his portion
ofthe hardships of the camp and til
campaign. Ny prayer is that we ma
O be rs successful under Banks as W
: have been. under Grant. The rec
+ imcnt is now with Banks Expeditio
% in western Louisiana, but as l am ur
% able to march from the effect of tn
O wound received at Yicksburg, | h0v
q been left behind.
# Now let us 60 back little. W
10 have not been in the service quite fl
~ teen months, When we entered tn
NJ service our aggregate was 993 men,
It's now 475 Thus, in little nor
. than one year,we have lost more tha
one-half our number. l will give 20
the eXactigures in Ourcompany, whic
-, is about an average: l left Loga
~ with 81 men. | now have 4S, havin
= lost 49, sc of these have either die
- or have been killed. II have bee
discharged, of whom have since die,
y. and one has deserted. | suppose IL
ll4th has lost more men for the san
length Of time than any regiment tn;
II has ever left Ohio Co. X, Capt. Blu
+. tcrfcld, has shared with the rest of IL
j 1t is fearful indeed to mediate upo
=, this part ofour subject Our comrad
~ have fallen on every side, and wit
- slow and moumful step, to the mufflC
=, beat of the drum, we have followC
:. them to their long home. Their plac
81 can never be filled in our midst. The
II; did not shrink from their duty ar
to though it was the giving up of the
err lives, they did it all for their countr
+ How blessed tleir memory! They w
~ ever live in the minds of true patriot
80 But how disgusting, how maddenil
IN it is, to think that while these de
ou ones have suffered and died for the
ch country, there are those in t
North who, it they dared, would trar