The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-05-07
Fight at COAdWateT.

Saturday the 18th of April, our Regt.,
Ghe SD, Wis,) left camp in Memphis and
marched South, on the fernando plank road;
with the 18th wis. and 41st Ill. Infantry,
9TH Ohio cavalry and 18th Ohio Battery
When about thirteen miles South of Mem
phis, our Cavalry commenced to skirmish
with the rebels and it continued as we advan-
ced. We reached fernando at about six
o'clock, and as we went in, our Cavalry drove
the rebels out. They were advancing from
CoIdwater, to hold the place against us. A
mile South of the town, a sharp fight took
place, in which We captured seventy two
prisoners and wounded a number Of the en-
envy without loss on our side. That night
we camped in the Court house yard, and the
way it rained cautioned us to use our rubber
blankets to the best advantage.
Next morning we marched on to Coldwater'
Our Cavalry drove the rebels across the creek
and held them in check until we came up
About two miles from the River the Battery
passed us. "
Here we were ordered forward on the double
Quick, but instead of that it was a run as
fast as we could. AS we came up, our line OF
battle was formed about one hundred yards
from the creek. The Battery opened OIL them
which seemed to. hold them in check for a
moment. But they were reinforced by three
regiments, two of conscripts, and one the Isl
Missouri. They opened on the Battery q
terrible fire, and after an hour and a half
in which the battery threw one hundred and
sixty rounds of grape, canister, shell and solid
shot, they silenced it. "'t'
The rebels took up their position i'll a old
water channel with logs felled on its bank.
They fired from under the logs, from behinc
stumps and trees, the Battery being obliged c
use solidshot against s~harpshooters and finally
Iimbered to the rear.
About this time the Al stcaine forward anC
formed in line of battle on the river bank
We were ordered forward at the same time.
A large bayou lay directly in front of our cen.
ter, so each wing was advanced in column
by a right and left counter march around it,
and formed on" line almost at the waters edge
Here two brave and talented officers fel
Lieut.. Swift of Co. E, and Capt. Lin&ey o
Co. II. @aa a.H.
Though we were exposed to the same frC
which silenced the Battery, not a man finch
ed but came to the work like veterans and re
piled to the fire spIendidly. z'.1 ~
We silenced the fire in about twenty min
utes or half an hour, SO that it was only al
occasional shot the enemy fired after it. The
rebels fred a few shot from a battery on the
! hill beyond the creek, but they did US nc
damage. Our Regiment remained in this DO,
sition six hours. After about two hours, the
41st fell back to a line with our first position
and was covered by skirmishers during The
remainder Of the fight,
Our loss was sixteen, killed and wounded
The rebel loss was ninety eight killed and
wounded, and about one hundred prisoners
Two Of the killed and three wounded are il
the SD Wis. Regiment. Maj. Virgin hac
one horse wounded under him. The rebels
had two boats tied up, above the ferry on
their side and being afraid the 41st would
use them to cross. on, cut the ropes and let then
float down the stream. The two men that
cut the ropes were killed They hoated down
opposite our front; Col. Moore was on thu
bank and saw them, and called on the men II
assist in catching them. He wished to form {
bridge Of them to cross on, the men wanted
to go, and he wished to lead them; but as we
were ordered to go only to the rivers bank.
Col Bryant, of the 18th, commanding the ex-
petition, would not consent. fCol. Moore
could have p revealed, we should have crossed
and taken the whole force of the enemy, as ii
was only a portion fell into our hands.
After waiting; about seven hours, for
Gen. Smith to come up and attack them on
the opposite side, we fell back to the hills
and finally back about seven miles. and
camped for the night. The next morning
w marched to Hernandez. aud remained there
till two O'Clock, T. Nj. waiting for tidings
from Gen. Smith, none came
As we left, the town took fire, the Court
House Square &c, were all burned. The re-
lnainder OF the week was spent in scourin Q
the country, and this expedition is pronounced
the most e~tfectual breaking up the Guer-
r1llas ever had this side the river. -1sI
-aaE a5Hs7s 81 .E.sW. S~.Est5rf