Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-02-11
From the Fourth Regiment.
CAMP OF THE 4TH REGIMENT,
Baton Rouge, Jan. IA. 1862.


On the 18th of December our regiment
at Carrollton received orders to march to
gether with the 9th N. Y, Col. Wilson,
and the I'd Louisiana, COL Paine Some
delay in loading the boats, prevented our
starting until the afternoon of the 10th,
when we proceeded up the river, stopping
during the night at Donaldsonville, to
Baton Rouge, where we arrived on the
evening of the Goth, but did not go on
shore until the next morning, when we
proceeded to camp Michigan, the same &C.
cupied by the 9th at the time of the battle
last summer.
On arriving on shore, we found we had
been preceded by the 1863, l73 and 179,
n. Y. Regiments and battery of twelve
pieces, who were encamped within the
breastworks built by Col. Paine last sum-
mer, and in command OF Brig. Gen. Gro
yer, who still commands the forces here.
Our camp was placed in charge of Col.
III. E. Paine, and the next day we were
reinforced by the 159th, 1885, and par,
of the the 174th n. Y, the 18th Maine
regiments and battery of six pieces.
We spent Christmas IN driving in cattle
from outside the picket lines and clearing
up drill ground. On New Years day
we moved about half mile to the camp oc-
| cupied last summer by the 21st Ind. regi-
ment, camp Michigan being left in COM
mand OF Col. Wilson. Here we were
joined by the 25th Con, 26th Maine and
l73d n. I. regiment. which forms the
third brigade, Col. Paine acting Brigadier
General. We kept strong picket ont,
and felled timber into the roads leading
into the country to prevent the cavalry,
who were reported to be in strong force a
few miles out, from making dash upon
Us.
On the 10Th, an attack being anticipa
ted, orr camps were moved back about a
half mile, and earthworks thrown up in
front Of the whole line. Yesterday the
long roll was beaten in camp; the troops
were promptly under arms, but Col. Paine
rode up and said, that cit was ordered to
be beaten by Gen. Grover, for practice,
and that 1t was the last long roll tor prac-
tice that would ever be beat in this camp.
There are about thirty thousand troops
; here. They are ia excellent spirits and
anxious for brush. The weather is de-
lightiul, scarcely Geld enough for FROST
: Rumor makes The force at Port Hudson,
from 10000 to $4,000 The 4th Louisi-
ana, encainped this side, it is said are Of
tered S6,oU0 for the colors of the 4th
Wisconsin. We of the 4th think they will
earn their money if they take them.
There are large number OF contrabands
! here, and more coming every day. They
are too ignorant and too closely watched
to take advantage to any extent of the ex-
listing circumstances, but knowing that
they cannot fall into worse hands than
their masters, they embrace every oppor.
.uDity of escaping to orr lines Those
who are not employed as servants for com.
missioned officers and cooks, are coloniz.
ed, furnished rations, and employed at ma
king Notifications, levees, roads, &C.
The 4th are in better health than be-
fore since we left Baltimore, there being
III tor duty, about six hundred; in hos
pital there are about fifty, few sick in
camp, and q few on detached service. -
We have fine camp, good rations, light
drill, and good time generally.
a, B. S.