Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-06
Later from Rosecrans, Army.

WfssOuSin-s
Picketing-Details for Blackberry Picking
Refugees from East Tennessee-Hundreds of
Prisoners and Deserters from Braggs Army.
correspondence of the State Journal.
MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn, July 81, 1868.
MEssRs: EDITORS This, the ever me-
moraole day OF the battle of Bull Run.
magnlhcently atoned for in recent victory.
finds the 22d actively engaged ia the du.
ties of Provost Guard and picketinc 90.
D has the former desirable most willie
the other companies contribute their nro.
portion of the one thousand men who
continually guard the approaches to this
stronghold. The extent of picl,stins nor
formed may be known by the facf hat
the circle of pickets extends a circun fer.
ance of ten miles, with cavalry videttes
beyond.
The railroad does an immense amount
of business, and troops of conyalescepts
crowd the cars southwark, rejoining their
regiments. while hundreds of prisoners
are taken to the North. Recently the Cd
Brigade of McCook's Division, comprising
three Illinois regiments and one Ohio.
moved back to Nashville, their place being
| taken by our Brigade. Strengthened by
| the return from the "Gap" of the SD
Indiana and the 9th Ohio Battery, when,
Joined by the 10Th Michigan, we are all
once again united. Our officers have been
released from arrest and are attending to
the daily drill and other duties, and the
troubles IN the regiment ceased, at least
for the present.
Last week detail to the number of
sixty was sent out on the Shelbyville pike
for blackberries. The expedition partook
slightly OF the nature of picnic. though
! we placed reliance OH our guns for protec-
ton instead of protecting fair ladies, and
riding heavily in the solid army wagon
instead OF the light, easy carriage. The
whole country is one immense blackberry
field, and many dish was filled before
the drum stroke signslled for return. The
results were equally divided among the
company, so that it might be said OF both
active and lazy picker" he who gathered
little had no lack, and he who gathered
much had nothing sover." This detail is
Immensely popular, and if repeated will
he honored with will.
| For some unexplained reason, we re-
celved no mail for TWO weeks, and felt the
| prlvatlon. 1t now arrives regularly. No
class more than soldiers can understand
the keen anxiety pending the delivery of
the mail, and the deep satisfaction attend
ing the receipt of a letter from homo.
| A few days since the horses, saddles.
and PACK mules tor mounting the 92d LII.
lnt..ot our division, were sent forward and
| 1t Is reported that other regiments of
the reserve corps will be equipped as soon
as possible as mounted infantry. In no
other way can the last dastardly resort of
the Observation-Disclosures checked.
and the scoundrels summary punish
ed. Quite recently a captain in the $50
Ind. was murdered by guerillas and speedy
revenge was melted In the death OF two of
the criminals.
| Eastern tennessee refugees continually
arrive, having left their wheat in the shock
and tied from the tender mercies OF the
rebels. One old man said there were but
eleven men left in the county from which
he came; the rest were conscrpted, kill
ed, in the mountains Or in our army, and
asked OF Us only to have guns and to keep
off outsiders, and they would restore that
section to loyalty, and keep it SO. IL does
seem to US that the time has come for US
to occupy and deliver that oppressed coun-
try, though our generals must know the
best.
The Tullahoma trains bring in hundreds
of willing prisoners from Braggs democrat
zed army. They are ot,all Tennesseeans,
but as one of them said, "They were rep
resentatiVes of every Confederate State
They were in high spirits and showed
themselves tired of the war and glad of
the chance to get out of the ranks, and
not few declared their intention of dom
ming the blue and trying the other side.
| The constant succession OF Union VIC
tories up to the rout of Morgan is heartily
appreciated by the soldiery, who begin to
| see gllmmerings of the right kind of peace
| and some prospect of return to civil life.
The mob apologists Of New York base
ly SANDER the citizen soldiery of the re-
public IN comparing them with the scum
always to be found in great cities. Will
sons Zouaves may have been of this class
but what have they done and what is their
fame and standing compared with the no.
bic example the I'd Wisconsin in the Iron
Brigade have given. 1t is black heart
| that breathes such foul calumny. 1t was
not the voice of ambition, the rage for
plumber nor the search for wealth chat
! called our hundred thousands into the
bloody arena of civil war, but a high,
pure patriotism which scorned danger
when freedoms cause implored defenders,
and enduring the terrible scenes enacted
in the drama Of war from necessity, stand
ready to hail with joy return to the en-
| ploymerts and comforts of civil life.
The camp of the 22d Wis. is alive with
the sounds of industry, and to a stranger
a walk through it and the streets o. Muir
treesboro would be novel and interesting.
Men are building ovens of brick, construc-
ting hunks, cleaning arms, and making
beautiful rings and bosom pins of the pearly
shells Astounding in the creeks; a trip to
town would show crowds of negroes,
squads of soldiers. trains of army wagons,
| and from the windows of the court house
are gazing the disconsolate imprisoned Sc
cesh.
Sunday comes and goes unmarked
There are no tolling bells and well dressed
family groups gathering to the churches,
but the hustle of the week continues on
unbroken. Tie southern court houses are
| the jails for prisoners, and the churches
become the hospitals for the weary and
| suffering sick and wounded, yet the ele-
CANT white steeples which shoot above the
leafy screen which hides the church, recall
the Sabbath days passed at home.
There is report IN circulation in camp
that two men and woman are to be hung
in town this afternoon for the murder of a
couple of soldiers. 1t may be only camp
story. The health, spirits and prospects
of the regiment continue good.
W. II. NJ.