Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-18
Correspondence Of the State Journal.

for the night at Hard Times, on the Loui.
siana shore.
On the 29th we again embarked, and,
still towed by the Price, dropped just out
of range of the batteries and witnessed
the tight between the gunboats and the
celebrated Grand Gulf bat cries. Had
the gunboats been successful in silencing
the batteries, our regiment, in company
with three others, was to be the first to
land and take the place. The gunboats
were not successful, however, SO we land
ed and marched across the point to the
river below Grand Gulf. Our transports
ran by in the night, and on the 30th every
gunboat and transport was crowded with
troops. which they conveyed to BruiOs-
boro, Miss.
At midnight we started for Port Glib
son, and after marching all night arrived
on the battle ground about s a. NJ, and
Immediately took our position as support
for Col. Sheldon's brigade of Gen. Oster-
haus' division. In the afternoon we sup
ported battery On the extreme right for
an hour or two and then took the advance
We skirmished through the cane breaks
until nearly dark, taking some twenty
prisoners, when the battle ended for the
day, and we bivouacked on the field.
Before daylight on the I'd, We were
again in the advance, and after short
time spent in searching the woods, found
that the enemy had fled from the field,
and we then marched into Port Gibson,
being the first regiment to enter the place.
We acted as provost guard until night
| when we were relieved by the 18th WIS.
10 the light on the 1st, Edward Pelzer, of
90. D, wounded in the leg, was the only
person injured in our regiment.
On the morning of the Sd, apprehendiSg
a flank attack, our Brigade was ordered
back couple of miles to meet it, but
alter thorough search no signs of the
enemy were found, and we marched thro'
Port Gibson to Willow Springs. At this
place the rebels had attempted to burn a
long suspension bridge across Bayou Pierre
but our cavalry were too quick for them
and saved the bridge.
On the 7th we marched to Rocky Spring,
and on the 9th and 10th to Oayuga.
On the 18th we marched to Fourteen
Mile Greek, near the Big Black, and on
the 18th marched to within twelve miles
| of Raymond, which place Mcpherson took
on the 18th after fight, in which, as a
matter OF course, the rebels were badly
whipped.
On the 18th we marched to Raymond.
| We had received rumors, said to be au-
thentic, that Richmond was taken, but
believing the news to good to be true, we
did not take much stock in it, and sure
enough, on reaching Raymond we got
Jackson papers of the 18th, containing
Richmond dispatches of the 18th, announc
ing the burial OF Stonewall Jackson.
On the 10th, we marched to Midway
Hills or Bakers Greek, and had a fight
which lasted until dark. 81. E.. Barnes,
of %. E, was wounded in the leg Angus,
Huyle, of Co. A, slightly in foot. We
drove the rebels all day, cutting Gen. Lor
ing's Division completely off from their
main army, killing Gen. Tigh,man, and
taking some 1000 prisoners and Is pieces
OF artillery.
On the 18th, we marched through Ed
wards Station, on the V. and J. h. R.,
to the Black River Bridge, where we
arrived in time to take prisoners the
whole Goth Tenn. Reg. with their colors.
The rebels had strongly fortified posi-
ton at this place, but Osterhaus and Carr
persuaded them to abandon it and leave
their cannon. Such of them as could, re
treated across Black River, burning the
bridge behind them. The 18th Wis. was
the first regiment inside the breastw orks
at this place. Their brigade charged with
fixed bayonets, and the rebels, not liking
the looks of things, fired volley and fed.
Hen. Herbert Bird, drummer of Go. D.,
slightly wounded, was the extent of the
casualties in our regiment. We took, on
<>f
with small arms and ammunition in large
quantities, and many thousand prisoners.
On the 18th and 10th, we marched for
Vicksburg, and early on the morning of
the 10Th, came in sight of the celebrated
Notifications of the rebel stronghold.
On the Goth, while skirmisbing, Ernst
Shultz, of Go. E, and Robert E. Ford, of
Co. |, were killed, and the following were
wounded Corp. John Dunlap, William
Bertenshaw (since died), George Widige,
and Oscar Hill (since died), of Co. 8 :;
Serg't Clinton Hoyt, of Co. @; Henry
Holconb, of Co. D; J. G. Jones and Pc.
ter Harger, Co. G.; Corp. John F.. Stahl
(since died), Thomas Townsend, Vincent
Weber and Seth 3. Tannehill, Co. 81; It..
A. J. McFarlane, Co. K, and 1t. John A.
Bull, Co. E.
On the 22d, after brisk cannonade
from daylight until ten A. M, a charge
was ordered on the forts. Our brigade
was to support Gen. Bentcn's brigade or
Cars division. 3enton's brigade charg-
ed bravely up to the ditch at the foot of
the walls of the fort, and into the ditch,
but for man to climb the almost perpen-
dleular walls of the fort, was an impossi-
bllity, even had there been no opposition.
Benton's brigade suffered severely. espe.
claliy the 99th ILL.,, from the grape and
canister poured into them while charging.
Aoous noon they sent for help, and our
brigade was promptly moved to the front.
Cos. and A of our regiment were
thrown out as skirmishers to protect our
right, and nobly they did their duty. Cos.
ana + were detailed to bring up
piece OF artillery, which they planted
Within forty feet of the fort. The ball
ance OF the regiment were stationed as
rear the fort as they could get On account
OF tne ditch, and kept up destructive
nre Into the fort until nearly dark, when
the attack On the right having ceased,
iIesn troops were sent TO oppose Us both
IN 10 lront and on our right, but we drove
| those On the right back, and kept those in
'front.' out of sight behind their forti6ca,
| .ions. AT night, we were relieved by
I me 4th MIMI, who were soon ordered to
TAU Dack to their old position, and the
charge On the forts was failure, Our
loss nere was SIS follows: 1850
.ihI.Lkn.1sergt. Judson A. Lewis, company C;
Aa?utant Daniel Eder company D.. -.
Dot