Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-18
Correspondence of the State Journal.
In THE FIELD, NEAR VIcKsBURG,


Correspondence of the State Journal.
In THE FIELD, NEAR VIcxsBuRG,
May 90, 1868.
MEssRs. EDITORS: You would have
heard from US before this late date, if Gen.
Grant had permitted mails to 60 up the
river. | believe he has allowed them to
send letters, and we are to have a daily
mail from headquarters.
The 18th is on the side of bill, FIVE
hundred yards from the rebel works, and
protected from their rifle balls by some
earthworks thrown up on the crest of the
hill. The 26th Ohio and 1st Mo. batteries
on our flank are throwing shell into the
rebel works. For the past ten days we
have been at work in the front, digging
rifle pits at night and acting as sharp
shooters during the day. The men have
made shelters from the sun and rain, with
their rubber blankets, and have their
meals cooked and sent to them.
We were sent to place seven miles
from Jackson, where we camped the night
that Gen. Grant occupied the Capital
The next day (May l5th) we were ordered
back to Raymond, where we learned that
The enemy had large force near Ed
wards Station. We started early Friday
morning and marched to where Osterhaus'
Division had halted and sent out skirmish.
ers through the woods. We remained in
the open field, our Division being held as
a reserve, and listened to the heavy fire of
musketry until late in the afternoon when
the rebels were driven from their strong
position, and the battle of Champion Hills
was decided. Gen. Hovey's Division had
done some good work, and the 29th Wis,
| which is in his Division, was among the
bravest. Gen. Carr's Division was sent
after the retreating rebels, driving them
beyond Edwards Station. Ths rebels
left several car loads of corn meal and ba.
con, which furnished US our supper and
breakfast, and at four o'clock the next
morning our skirmishers had come up
with the enemy's pickets at the railroad
bridge. After we had ascertained their
position the artillery opened upon them,
and our Brigade moved down to the right.
The 18th Wis. in the advance, Co. a was
skirmishing, when the enemy fired from
their rifle pits upon them, wounding Capt.
Hough, Lieut.. Freeman, and others.
The order was given for our Brigade to
charge. and we started with a yell that
was more effective than mUsketry, if one
might judge from the way the frightened
rebels ran. Our reg ment had the pleas
ure of securing over thousand prisoners
whom we took back, and learned that we
had captured seventeen pieces of artillery
on the left. The rebels retreated, burn
ing the railroad bridge across the Big
10 I'D 81,
river to bayou on the south side, and
were considered a good defense for the
the bridge. Our Brigade was left to
gather arms on Monday, and on Tuesday
we were marched to this place.
Thursday, the 2lst, we were acting as
sharpshooter5 to prevent the rebels from
using their guns in the forts, and to keep
their men from shooting from their rifle
pits. Our men beat them at artillery and
rifle practice, as they acknowledge.
Friday morning we were moved down,
and told that general charge would be
made upon the enemy's works. Our
brigade was to be supported by some of
Osterhaus's men. COL Harris had sent
some of our men through the ravines to
the enemys works the night before, and
he knew the difficulties that we had to
overcome as no other officer did. We
started over the bill at ten o'clock, when
the enemy opened murderous fire from
their rife pits, and threw grape and can
lister from the fort. We crossed to the
side of hill and sought the best shelter
we could find, as it was impossible to ad-
vance or retreat under a cross-fre from
the enemy's works, and our supports had
turned back. Ten men were killed and
ninety-two wounded. The regiment was
Withdrawn at night.
Capt. John A. Peaslee, of Co. 6, was
mortally wounded and died the same
night. He was among the first to enlist
in Go. K, of the First regiment, and after
its return he went into this reg.ment. He
was brave and true, and none know how
he will be missed except those who have
been situated as We are, and have learned
the worth of such man. l will enclose
list of our killed and wounded at Back
river bridge and Vicksburg, which was
furnished Oy DR.. Strong, medical director
of our division.
Gen. LAWYER was assigned to the COM
mand OF our brigade after we came to
Port Gibson. Col. Harris is now in COM
mand of the regiment. Lieut.. Col. WOOD
is inspector and chief of staff, and Capt.
Whittlesey is quartermaster on Gen.
Carr's staff.
The pickets commenced firing early
this morning, and we were called out to
see if the rebs were trying to break out.
AT six o'clock all of our artillery opened
upon them, and fred for twenty minutes !;
the mortar boats at the same time throw
ing shell into the city. 1t is a very fine
sight in the night. We have no doubt |
about the result. Vicksburg will be ours,
and Gen. Grant will take care of Joe |