Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-07-08
From New Madrid,
OF the State Journal.
NEw MADRID. Mo-.
June "A, 1868

DlHtafy necessity existing, rem
dered the evacuation of the post of Kick
man, Ky, and the reinforcing of New
Madrid, Mo-. one OF those contingencies
| that frequently occur in war. and are IN
avoidabie absolutely necessary; and an
/ order was received from Gen. Asboth.
30 that effect, by Capt. Blake, on the
night of the 18th inst, and with a
promptness worthy of commentator. the
| order was executed. and we found orr.
| selves, men and material, camp followers
| and al, on board the steam transport
| CTanford, and in few hours afterwards
reported to the commanding officer at this
| post for duty. Thus has Hickman. for the
| second time, been evacuated from circum.
stances over which the Commanding Gen
eral has had no control, to be again re.
occupied in a few days, either by the old
| command, or one OF mounted Infantry.
New Madrid, though in the Department.
of Missouri, aud under the charge of Gen
Schofeld, has been by that officer attached
to the District of Columbus, and placed
under the charge of Gen. Asboth. Il is
point of great Importance, commanding
most extensive and productive district
OF country. The military importance of
this point was early discovered by the
rebel leaders, as it was here that Gen.
Gideon Jerusalem Pillow, of ditch. dig
ging Mexican fame. assembled the bandit
ti OF freebooters and outlaws from Ten.
! nessee and Kentucky, that he designated
the Army of Liberation" ard construct
ed two redoubts, one near the village, and
the other about two miles below.
thoroughly commanding the great bend
of the river formed by the juttiug out of
the low alluvial lands of Kentucky, and
which were so successfully turned Dy the
engineering ingenuity and dash of Gen.
Pope, thus leading to the fall of Island No,
len. The encampment is located partly
below the upper redoubt and lower one.
on the level plain forming the table land,
on the west bank OF the river, and about
two miles from the miserable apology of
place called the village OF New Madrid.
Extensive works are in contemplation
here, so as to completely command the
approaches from the land side and forever
defeat any hopes the rebels may have of
re occupation. Guns are being mounted
in the most approved fashion of modern
science. The contrabandS are rendering
as essential service ia this respect, aud
there present numbers are likely to be
largely increased.
The military force at this point in
cludes the 34th and 25th Wisconsin
VOL, under the command respectively
of Col Mills, and Col. Harding, and the
5lst Illinois Vol. under the command Of
Lieut. Col. Newman, and company 90"
18th Wis, Capt. Blake. Several cavalry
companies are expected daily. Col Ches-
ter Harding, jr. one of the veteran officers
OF this war, is the com nander of the
Post. and under his control, the best in
terests of the public service and the honor
and health of the men will be duly attend
ed to. 1t is impossible to form any esti-
mate of the strength of the rebel force,
that it is in contemplation to hurl against
this place, but as it is of vital moment to
them to possess it, and thus obstruct the
river and the transportation of General
Grants supplies, it is supposed to be suf.
ticlently large for the purpose.
Recently the writer became involunta-
rily detached from his command. and af
ter an excellent run arrived safely a. Co.
lumbus, (the abortive attempts of some
guerrillas below Hickman to the contrary
and was pleased to find his numerous
friends, and amongst the number, Col
Messmore of the 31st Wis, and Dr. Thorn
as. asst Surgeon of the same regiment,
and many Others beside, in excellent health
dlu spiIltS. HatlSTS IN 1OTC
Hslleck, are in most satisfactory coOdi-
ton, the health and comfort of the men
being thoroughly attached to Col Mess
more, the popular and efficient commander
of the Fort, who We were pleased to learn
omitted no opportunity OF ministering TO
the comforts and interests of the COM
Inand. The idol of his men, the feeling
and observant soldier, the true gentleman,
he possesses a hold that many envy, and
but few enjoy, in the affections of his
men. This leads me TO say word or
two Ill regard to libellous communca
ton, that some time ago appeared in your
Copperhead contemporary, the Pdtri0t-
Whether the article in question was man
utactG. ed in or outside the Patriot office,
II were useless to inquire, for suffice il to
say, that from personal knowledge aud in
quiries instituted on the spot. | am war
ranted in denouncing it As false in every
essential particular, and the creation OF
some miserable apology for man, or
suesking Copperhead, who, had he not
been drafted, would never have disgraced
the uniform OF the Federal army.
The Office of Provost Marshal General
of the Distrist is ably conducted by Ma
jor W. 4. Rowley, of General Grants
staff, detached for that purpose, and one
of the most efficient officers of the army
fully realizing the high anticipations form
ed OF him in early manhood by his nu
merous friends in northern Illinois.
W.D.