Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-08-19

~ - T,-Is5l IocGnsnt-Ihs fis'"Fh ~duf@t
- present location.
-.,ontence OF the State Journal
r,vp NEAR v1cKsBURG, July 29th, 1868
r,-onose TO renew my history of the doings
s,ba marching 18th, taking up my nara
49,. Immediately after the capture of tais
abel stronghold
on Sunday, the 9TH inst, the Fourth Di
-f.ion moved out of camp, directing their
.+5ns towards Black River, and encamping
a. rhe night at Clear Creek The Division
!. attached to Gen Ord's command. The
citizens here had killed cattle and thrown
them into the water, 50 as to prevent our
bows from drinking it, and had then hidden
themselves in the swamps.
After waiting in camp Monday, TO give the
3drance opportunity 70 cross Black River,
sur Division moved some four miles, with
heavy storm Of rain pelting on them, making
t almost impossible to proceed. Our regi-
ment camped on the ground lately occupied
81 Breckinridee'z rebel command.
On the sth we crossed Black River, camped
during. the day, and starting at 6 o'clock p
n marched till . o'c4yck next morning.
marched to Clinton. The rebel soldiers and
citizens were seen fleeing to the woods. 4
march Of FIVE miles from Clinton brought the
TOYS within sight Of the rebel works and
within sound Of their cannon, which were
Busy enough
on Saturday, she 18th, the Division was
detailed to guard the heavy trains of wagons.
\ part Of our regiment was deploycd as Skin
aishers, TO prevent surprises.
Rihe-pits had been dug along our front.
.ad on Sunday morning, the 18th inst. Gen.
Lauman ordered a charge of our first brigade
81 the enemy's works. Just before the at
tack, tho 2Sth Illinois, from the third brigade.
Herc ordered to take the place Of the SD
Wisconsin, which was lucky change for
them. The enemy concentrated a tremen-
aaas fire Of artillery and muskctry upon the
adganene column, and swept them down as
frong mower does the grass before his
.ythe.
our men were cruelty repulsed; the Sd
Iowa, which started on the charge 100 strong.
left 30 killed, wounded and prisoners; the
their Colonel, and 50 on. The casualties
were So severe, that Of the four regiments en-
-aged there are not more than about 100 left
81 for duty Three companies of our reei-
nent were dcplovcd on the extreme right, to
prevent the rebels thanking our Division.
Our regiment was ordered on picket duty
the front On Monday, stil on short rations
hard tack and coffee. Gen Lauman was
rHeved Of his command for ordering the
Gtal charge on Sunday, and he at once re
turned Is Nicksburg and from thence home
Illinois, The Division was temporarily at
taehei to Gen. Osterhaus's command, but
.ow !, commanded By Gen. Croker.
The regiment was relieved from picket duty
Monday morning, but in the evening were
called 81 to support il battery. Next morn
Zig tie regiment moved across the railroad,
closer Is the rebels
During the night the 10th johnson evac-
saead lis works NOT approving Of the way
.f forces were getting into his rear. and
travelled eastward at tremendous. rate, so
.hat but few prisoners could be taken. and
those mostly deserfcrs Oar forces were SO
short Of food, and water so very scarce, that
Wa. not deemed advisable TO follow with
anything but cavalry. \ bridge across Pearl
ge. WAS destroyed to hinder the return of
a rebels, while the boys fired many build
..4- ia tile city or their own account
0n Tuesday, the 2lst, the 4th division
started bacl, marching ] 5 miles to Raymond.
NeSt day, marched 20 miles, foragiug through
rHa country from necessity for food to eat
tth their hard tack and coffee.
Tie boys arrived in camp about loon of
Thursday hungry, footsore and dirty, vet very
clad 10 get home, and spent two or three days
rcpairing clothes, washing and resting. with
great satisfaction.
Last Saturday, the 9th inst, the division
again broke camp, expecting TO move into
the city, but after getting almost there were
ordered back to the cid camps, where We now
are. We are used to such military demon
STATIONS, but it locks very purposelcss to us
as we'll rs YOU.
When the regiment left Vicksburg for
jackson they left behind some 33f men, most
If whom were either sick or convalcscing
many Of whom have since reported for duty
but With such water as we get here, it is no
wonder that men arr sick The water Is all
surface drainage, even that from what are
tvIed springs and muddy and bad-tasted al
most invariably
The division seems to have made a sum
mer,z location, officers and men are getting
turloughs 10 return home and see their friends
Ard rccuperate their health
Respectfully yours. w
Ii NEVER DRfFS Cr.-I was staying at q vii