The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-06
0nr Army Correspondence.
LETTER FROM THE FOURTH
" o' REGIMENT.-

MARCHES AND COUNTERMA RcHES-HOL-
LEY SPRINGS DISA STER-TRIP TO MEM
PHIS- GUERLLLAS-HALF RATYONS AND
NO PAY FOR NINE MONTHS, ETC.
CAMP White STATION, I
TENNESSEE, January Is, 1861
To the Editor Of the Pioneer:
To begin, / will say
that the first week in December last found
US encamped on the river Yoconetalfa, in
the State of Mississippi, and five miles be-
low the city of Oxford. We were then on
our journey toward Vicksburg. The reb-
els were flying before us, and making to-
wards that point-having evacuated their
fertilization on the Tallahatchie river. We
remained in camp at "Yocone," as the
inhabitants term that river, for the term
of perhaps ten days, when to our surprise
orders were received for q countermarch.
Here, indeed, were our sanguinary hopes
most ruefully disappointed; but with the
accustomed alacrity of our well disciplined
troops, we about-faced, and started on our
return. Passing the Tallahatchie we jour
MED toward Holly Springs, and beyond
that point We marched until we arrived at
Cold Water. At this place We ascertained
that we were to proceed to Memphis in
company with the whole Division, to guard
q provision train, railroad communication
having failed by reason Of guerillas having
torn up the track and consequently Holly
Springs was not to be reached by rail.
Thus, by the cowardice and imbecility Of @
traitorous commander was the whole of
Hamilton's Division made to countermarch
the weary waste of miles, through mud
and rain and over miserable roads, to bring
another store of provisions to fasting,
nay, starving army, encamped in the vi
cinity of where, few days before, large
quantities of rations and clothes had been
taken, as it were, from in front of their
very eyes, through the traitorous negligence
of Col. Murphy, commanding at Holly
Springs. When will the day of retribu-
ton come for the traitors amongst us !?
We fear not until our cause is lost. Could
the curses Of true and noble patriots con-
sign them to their just doom, no pit in
perdition were deep enough to hide their
loathsO ne carcasses.
To return: Leaving camp at Cold Wa
ter, We passed on, and pursued our march
until we reached Memphis. Here were
the eyes of us all greeted again for the
first time in eight months with the luxu-
rious prospect of city. Woods and cot
ton fields We had lived amongst until we
had nearly lost sight of in memory the fas-
cinations of brick houses, well paved
streets, and the stir and hustle of we'll
ordered municipality. The 3Oth day of
December found US there, and our boys
the valiant sons of Minnesota" went in, 4"
and in consideration of the fact that pock-
ct change was rather scarce, all managed
to enjoy themselves, though not so extern
sively as they would have done had
the Paymaster paid US off, according to
contract and the regulations of Uncle Sam s
service. The morning of the 31st found
us all ready, with loaded teams, to turn
our books upon civilization and to return
to our accustomed woods. After three
days march, we halted at Fayetteville Con
the Memphis and Charleston RailroaD
which has been made the depot for provi-
sions, in place of unlucky Holly Springs
Here we did not remain long, but after
having unloaded the train, we returned to
a point near Memphis >at White Station
The whole division was here placed upon
railroad guard duty. The line OF guard
extends from Memphis to Fayette-
vile or Lafayette, either Of which
names it bears. This guard duty is
rendered necessary because of the rowing
bands of robbers, termed guerrillas by the
secesh. / forgot to mention that those
perambulating thieves made an attack up
on our rear while on our onward march,
and succeeded in wounding several of our
men, and in capturing a number of stray
glers. who were paroled the same evening.
This little incident served to place check
upon certain individuals who were prone
to wander from the ranks, and caused
them to follow their file leaders. A GER
tain staff officer, not belonging to our regi-
ment, but belonging to General Staff, u
wandering in quest of what he could find,
was, much to his discontinue, very incon-
tinently "gobbled," and forced to accept
parole. Beyond this guerrilla" incident,
nothing exciting occurred; we made the
Ground trip" with no further inconveni-
ence than such as usually attends the IA
tiguing march of an army in Mississippi
and Tennessee Our regiment is growing
small; We have had no new recruits.
Minnesota has had too much need of her
soldiers at home this season. At one time
the regiment, though decidedly fond of
fighting rebels, thought their services were
needed at home, and, if possibility had
occurred for their return, think they
would have punished "Mr. Indian" severe
l., norhanS have given him q taste of Iuka