Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-07-09
From New Madr6.
Correspondence of tbs State Journal. -
New MADRID, Mo-.

New MADRID, Mo-. "
lila June q, 1863.
4 military necessity" existing, rem.
dered the evacuation of the post of Kick
man, KY, and the reinforcing of New
Madrid, Mo-. one of those contingencies
that frequently occur in war. and are IN
avoidable-absolntely neces vary Il and an
order was received from Gen. sAsbeth.
to that effect, by Capt. Blake, on the
night of the 18th inst, and with =
promptness worthy of commentator, the
order was executed, and we found our
selves, men and material, camp followers
and all, on board the steam transport
Crawford, and in few hours afterwards
reported to the commanding officer at this
post for duty. Thus has Hickman, for the
second time, been evacuated from circum-
stances over which the Commanding Gen
eral has had no control, to be again re.
occupied in a few days, either BY the old
command, or one OF mounted Infantry. 4.
New Madrid, though in the Department
of Missouri, and under the charge of Gen.
Schofeld, has been by that officer attached
to the District of Columbus, and placed
under the charge of Gen. Asboth. Il is
a point of great Importance, commanding
q most extensive and productive district
of country. The military importance of
this point was early discovered by the
rebel leaders, as it was here that Gen.
Gideon Jerusalem Pillow. of ditch. dig
ging Mexican tame, assembled the bandit
ii of freebooters and outlaws from Ten
nessee and Kentucky, that be designated
the "Army of Liberation" and construct
ed two redoubts, one near the village, and
the other about two miles below,
thoroughly commanding the great bend
of the river formed by the jutting out of
the low alluvial lands of Kentucky, and
which were SO successfully turned by the
engineering ingenuity and dash of Gen.
Pope, thus leading to the fall of Island No.
Ten. The encampmeDt is located partly
below the upper redoubt and lower one,
on the level plain forming the table land,
on the west bank of the river, and about
two miles from the miserable apology of
q place called the village of New Madrid.
Extensive works are in contemplation
here, so as to completely command the
from the land side, and forever
defeat any hopes the rebels may have of
re occupation. Guns are being mounted
in the most approved fashion of modern
science. The contrabands are rendering
as essential service ia this respect, aud
there present numbers are likely to be
largely increased.
The military force at this point in
cludes the 34th and 25th Wisconsin
Vol, under the command respectively
of Col. Mills, and Col. Harding, and the
51st Illinois Vol. under the command of
Lieut.. Dol. Newman, and company sd"
18th Wis, Capt. Blake. Several cavalry
are expected daily. Gel Ches-
ter Harding, jr. one of the veteran officers
of this war, is the commander of the
Post, and under his control, the best in
terests of the public service and the honor
and health of the men will be duly attend
ed to. 1t is impossible to form any esti-
mate of the strength of the rebel force,
that it is in contemplation to hurl against
this place, but as it is of vital moment to
them to possess it, and thus obstruct the
river and the transportation of General
Grants supplies, it is supposed to be suf.
iciently large for the purpose.
Recently The writer became invounta-
lilly detached from his command. and af
.er an excellent run arrived safely at Co.
umbus, Qhe abortive attempts of some
yuerrilas below Hickman to the contrary
and was pleased to find his numerous
friends, and amongst the number, Col.
Messmore of the 3lst Wis, and DR.. Thorn.
IS. asst Surgeon of the same regiment,
md many Others beside, in excellent health
md spirits. Military matters in Port
dalleck, are in a most satisfactory coudi.
ion, the health and comfort of the men
being thoroughly attached to Col. Mess
popular and efficient commander
IF the Fort,wh we were pleased to learn
omitted no opportunity of ministering to
he comforts and interests of the COM
nand. The idol of his men, the feeling
and observant soldier, the true gentleman,
re possesses hold that many envy, and
out few enjoy, in the affections of his
men. This leads me to say word or
two in regard to libellous communica-
ion, that some time ago appeared in your
Copperhead contemporary, the Patriot.-
" neither the article in question was man
lfactured in or outside the Patriot Office,
t were useless tc inquire, for suffice it to
say, that from personal knowledge and in
luiries instituted on the spot am war.
:anted in denouncing it as false. in every
essential particular, and the creation of
some miserable apology for a man, or
Copperhead, who, had he not
been drafted, would never have disgraced
The uniform OF the Federal army. ~
The office of Provost Marshal General
Of the Distrist is ably conducted by Ma
or W. R. Rowley, of General Grants
staff, detached for that purpose, and one
IF the most efficient officers of the army
'ully realizing the high anticipations form.
ed OF him in early manhood by his nu-
nerous friends in northern Illinois.
W. D.
Gen. Paine Seriously sVounded-Inter-
esting Particulars-Noble Conduct of
Negro Troops.
The following letter will be read with
1eep interest by the people of Wisconsin.