Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-04-16

BELLE PLAIN, VA,
.. March 20, 1868.
Eds. urnal:-EncloseG send Won
preamble and resolutions adopted, without
dissenting voice. by each and all the reg
iments OF this brigade, viz, the I'd, 9th
and Tth Wis, and 10Th Ind, and oath
Michigan Vols. Many of us are opposed
to mere political action by the troops in
the field, yet all of Us cheerfully concur in
the sentiments intended to be expressed
by the resolutions.
On Wednesday evening the and Wis.,,
with 20 men of a Pennsylvania regiment,
the latter under command of Lieut.. Col.
Cress, the whole under command of Col.
Fairchild, embarked on the steamer Nm.
". Frazier, which after eight hours run,
anchored at the mouth of Machodoc creek,
60 miles from Belle Plain. At daylight
we disembarked OIL the plantation of .
Mr.. Newton, who is, believe, member
of the rebel Congress. Our business upon
this neck of land and out-of- the way place,
we soon knew, was to dispossess certain
disloyal Inhabitants, among whom our
sudden appearance caused no little excite
ment with an humble desire to be at about
this time, upon good terms with Uncle
Sam. - aaz ~
Many of the dear misses declared their
wishes for peace, and hoped the war
would soon come to an end, while others
proposed to have the thing fought out and
were extravagant in denunciation of the
Yankee people. Many of them, however,
of either way of talking, who spoke 80
fast and pretty, were only quitting on
style" by way of compliment to their Wis
itors, not unusual thing with Virginia's
fair damsels.
Two days we passed in this neighbour
hood, doing picket duty and light Skin
mishing with bushwhackers, for such
agreeable people are there in these pleas
ant localities, ready to pounce upon any
of Uncle Samuel's struggling represents
tives, but too cowardly to meet force
of twenty-five we sent against them on
Friday morning.
A man named Everett, at home on fur
Tough from the rebel army, applied for
passage for himself and wife to Washing
ton, saying he was only glad to be freed
from service into which he had been forced
| over year ago. He was furnished trans
portation, and is, doubtless, now enjoying
his recovered blessing of liberty.
Mr.. Everett stated that the rebel army
is living upon third rations, having very
little salt, and but remnants of clothing.
He only corroborates the many accounts
we receive from rebeldom. Their army is
poorly clothed and poorly fed; and is held
under atyrannicai rule which gives the lash
for many offenses-but death, sure, to the
man caught speaking or acting otherwise
| than as a rebel. "
Mrs. Sudduth (and child) whose hus-
band deserted from the rebel service q
year since, came up on our boat, on her
way to Harrisburg, where her husband
now resides. Three other refugees who
were fleeing from rebel consumption, also
accompanied US. All expressed their de-
light in once more breathing free.
Be it understood, these we're all white
people, fleeing from new kind of slavery
arising in the South of late, and which
seems to effect white folks only.
Our cavalry, under 1t. Col. Cress, Wis.
tied Tappahannock, Union Wharf, Warsaw
and Kinsan, driving the bushwhackers
before them and out of each place.
| twenty-five of our regiment were
mounted and Joined with 1t. Col. Oress'
command, started for camp overland, and
will likely bring with them some more
horses and mules, and likewise some $50
gers'' (rebels) known to be home on fur
Tough.
Saturday morning we babe adieu to the
danes and misses OF the Island, Qor such
was the land we visited,) landed Mr..
Beel, whom we had held in custody du.
ring our visit, for good reasons, and hoist
ing anchor, steamed out of Machodoe
| Creek, and up the broad Potomac. We
were the happiest of crews, after our three
days cruise on Lone Island, $50 they name
it,) and thought kindly OF those natives
we had been among, known to be our
bitter enemies at least, but who had acted
very friendly to US during our stay with
| them.
On counting our spoils, we found our
selves possessed of 5000 bushels corn, 300
bushels wheat, 40 horses and mules, an
anchor and chains, and large lot of ba-
cou, chickens, &c; also twenty-five con-
trabands accompanied Us to Belle Plain.
The anchor and chains were taken from
the schooner Grenada, q smuggling and
rebel craft, and the schooner wsssburned.
We arrived at our wharf Saturday even
ing, congratulating ourselves upon our
second expedition ir to rebeldom, and the
pleasant ride we had mad upon the Poto-
mac.
Sunday evening, Gov. Morton called
upon our Brigadier General, and at pa
rade made few remarks to the troops.
We gave three times three, old Badger
cheers, for the "bully" good Governor of
Indiana Yours,
| TYPO.