Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-03-18
Core dependence of the State Journal.
CAMP CURTIS, NEAR IRoNMoUNTAIN, Mo.
March 4, 1868.

For the last four mOntnS We nave been
shut out almost entirely from the civilized
portion of the world, and therefore bu,
little has been heard of or from us-in the
section where the most interest is felt in
us-of late.
I rly last November we started out
from Patterson. Mo-, as the advance OF
the Army OF southeast Missouri, toward
Van Buren,, expecting that when the ar
my had been concentrated there it would
move on again towards Little Rock. We
had prospect before Us of a rough win
ter's campaign. After reaching Current
river and accommodating considerably, for
some unknown reason we were ordered
back north. in which direction We moved
until within eighteen miles of Pilot Knob.
There we halted, rested and recruited our
horses for few days. After everything
was in readiness again for long march
we couuter-marched to Van Buren,, and
with but little delay then moved on
toward Alton, Mo-, and from the latter
plsce TO West Plains. Mo. At this place.
in due time the whole army 10, 900 strong,
was concentrated, and from there the cav
airy secuted the whole country over as
far as Pocshontas, Ark, in one direction,
aud Bstesville in another. Marmaduke,
with his force had fallen back as we adj
vanced until he reached the latter place,
and then evidently was disposed to make
a stand, relying upon Hindman, who was
not far distant, for reinforcements. Under
General Davidson's orders the cavalry
made a reconp olsance in force around
Batesville and had considerable of skir-
mish with the portion of Marmaduke's
on this side of the White river, defeating
it handsomely, and producing a grand
skedaddle across the river. Ia the en-
gagement we did not lose man, while
the rebels lost FIVE or six in killed and
wounded and over sixty in prisoners. A
considerable amount of rebel commissary
stores were captured and destroyed. Be-
fore this successful scouting party had re-
turned TO West Plains, an order tor NOV
ing the army back to Pilot Knob wa. re-
ceived, which movement was immediately
commenced On the Goth ultimo our reg
lment entered the latter place much re-
joced by another view of civilization and
the prospect of brief respite after q win
ter OF hard campaigning. This campaign,
the outlines of witch 1 have given in a
few words, was long, and attended with
many privations and hardships. But not
withstanding the exposure TO which we
were constantly subjected, the storms,
cold, mud and long scouts without tents
tor shelter, besides scanty supply of pro-
visions portion of the time, and lack
of covering for the feet-many of the men
being barefooted-we enjoyed excellent
health, the men Of our regiment being now
more robust and tit for service than ever
before
So much was accomplished through the
campaign, ii nothing more. A large sec
- d. - he y
tested By euerrillas was cleared of them.
Southeast Missouri was saved from
threatened invasion by a large rebel force.
Rebel commanders III Arkansas were dis
tracted in their calculations by our ad-
vance towards them. Marmaduke and
several smaller commanders were some
what crippled by our attacks. a wide
extent of territory was so completely de-
prived of the means for subsisting al
army, that Southeast Missouri is perfectly
safe from invasion for a considerable pc
Rod to come.
The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry never was
capable OF better service than now. The
men who compose it have been hardened
by summer and winter campaigning, ana
can stand quite as much exposure as any
other set OF men. The weak constitutions
have been quite thoroughly wnnowed out,
the pressure of hardshipS 70 which the
Regiment has been subjected having either
caused their death, or disabled them SO
that they were discharged. The towards
have been winnowed out, too; discharges
being so easily obtained that this class
by resorting 10 little subterfuge-have
received them. We now number, present,
600 tried, hardy. enlisted men, and about
900 absent, on detached service, &c. For
the length of time we have been in the
field, we hold our own as well as any other
Regiment hear of, aud have not seen less
hard service. We shall be happy to show
ourselves capable of performing as good
work as any full regiment, whenever OPP
portunity is offered.
We have new Colonel, Edward DAN
iels having resigned and Lieut.. Col. La
Grange appointed TO his place. Col. 0.
III. La Grange has been with the regiment
almost constantly since it was organized.
He was promoted to 1st Major from Cap
tain OF the Ripon Rifles, Col. Paine's
Regiment This position he held until it
becsme apparent that Or. ]. M. Lewis,
now Colonel of the 2Sth Wisconsin In
fanny, could not take the place of Lieut..
C6l-being unable to effect his exchange
as q paroled prisoner OF war-when Ma
Jor La Grange was promoted to 1t. Our
new Colonel has the fullest confidence of
the officers and men with whom he has
been associated. He is fighting man."
and has ample ability to sustain him in
this character. He has the patural quail
ties -aqaisite to a good military COM
manuer, together with much experience.
About two months since he was placed in
command of brigade of cavalry, which
position he still holds and the duties of
which be performs admirably. The otter
field officers of our regiment, Majors Tor
rey, Pomeroy and Mars, are all that could
be desired-good military men and gen.
tiemen. 1t now seems apparent that the
regiment will soon go down the river
Two battallons have already gone to St.
Genevieve, point on the Mississippi, and
the other will probably follow as soon as
il receives the new outfit necessary
horses, clothing, etc.
Yours, &C., TROOPER
AMENDMENTS TO THE REvENUE LAW