Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-02-26
From the 18th Wisconsin,.
CAMP NEAR FRANKLIN, Tenn, !
February 10th, 1868.
Correspondence of the State Journal.

| Correspondence OF the State Journal. = = =.
On the 31st ult. we received orders to
march, with FIVE days rations That same
evening we camped at Eaglesvllle, on the
Nashville and Shelbyville pike. On ar
| irving there we found that Wheeler,
Horton and Forrest had left on the morn.
ing of the previous day, with the inten-
ton, as they said, of crossing the Cum
berland river at Harpeth Shoals, and if
possible destroy our transports on that
river. We came to this place as fast as
we could, considering the country through
| which we passed. We arrived here on
the Cd of this month. In a short time
we heard of the reports of the rebels at
Fort Donelson, and large cavalry force
under Gen. Davis, our division command
er, went in pursuit. | believe they did
not fall in with any considerable body of
them, and after capturing few stragglers
came back to this place.
We enjoy ourselves exceedingly here.
the only drawback being want of news
| from home. We have received NO mail
since we left Murfreesboro. The citizens
have near J all been rebels, and no doubt
now sympathize with their cause. but
they are tired of the war and want to
have peace. Undoubtedly they would
prefer to see the South have a Govern
ment of its own, if that object could be
obtained peaceably, but they are not will
ling to fight for it any longer They say
| that when Bragg is driven out of Tennes-
see, which they do not seem to doubt
will be his fate, all the troops from this
State will desert him and return home.
Then, they add, steps will be Immediately
taken to come back into the Union, and
the State.
The citizens treat Us WELL and always
seem anxious to have Us call on them
We have been so long away from home,
and so hardened by the experiences of
war, that it seems at first as if we are out
Of our place in the family circle; but the
bright beamlng countenances and merry
voices soon make US feel at ease. The
children are shy at first, and do not pro.
fess any particular liking for the Cyan
kees," but kind treatment soon disabuses
them of such erroneous notions.
The citizens everywhere are very much
afraid of our soldiers and | am sorry to
say not entirely without cause. The
stealing of chickens, turkeys, &c, has be-
come SO common, as hardly to excite re-
mark, hut our soldiers often commit much
graver offences.
Yesterday four of our cavalrymen
stopped at the house of Mr.. johnson,
living abont four miles from this place
and presenting loaded revolver, demand
ed his money, together with all his Jewell
ry, threatening instant death in case he did
not comply. Most citizens would have
let them taken everything in such case,
and be glad to escape with life, bat John
son seems to have had more spunk than
ordinary men, and drawing a revolver
| fired onEthe robbers, wounding one when
the rest made their escepe. He immedi-
ately reported to headquarters, and all the
four vagabonds have .been arrested, and
hope and believe that for the credit of our
| soldiers and a warning to similar robbers,
| they may be hung. Robbers never make
soldiers, and the sooner we get rid of them
the better. Yours truly,
-SrANDINA