Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-11-12


destfoyed the command obtained the hrst
forage after starting 40 miles from Little
Rock, on the GOTH Proceeding thence
through LewfsbFg, Major Derry ascertained
that the various parties of the enemy scat
tered along the route, had been informed of
the number of his command, and the object
of the march, and on, tie night ofsthe 26th'
be camped his force on the Illinois Bayou..p
in strong position, where was lDund plenty
of wood and water, but scarcely any forage:
After rapid march. on the 27th, and ap-
proaching ClarksSiile l2o mileskfron Little
Rock, it was ascertained that the c6mmands
of the rebel Colonels Hill, Sherman and
Brooks were at afious points aloDgfiie route,
with headquarters at Clarksvile, at which
point they were making preparations to dis
pute our passage e Y
The next day, the 2sth, soonEafter crossing
the river-which the command was obliged
to do by making a long circuit, the ferries
being all destroyed-the advance began to
fall in with parties of the enemy, and purr
sued them, with-yigor. Approaching Clarks-
vile about three o'clock p. NJ, the advances
under Capt. Herring, Sd Ark. Cavalry, ent
gagged their pickets, who, after some resist
ance Tell back on their main column in the
town, the enemy sknmisher taking shelter
behind fences and houses, their main force
closely supporting them. The action was
short, the enemy fleeing in every direction,.
leaving seven dead.
Independent companies, and rebel co.'s
scripting officers are numerous in this vicin-
ity, having GAINESVILLE for rendezvous So
long had they been advised of the coming of
Major Derry's command, that several of the
citizens had letters written to send to Fort
Smith and also 10 Little Rock Our force.
was not expected until the next day. but our.
rapid marching took them partly by surprises.
so their resistance was not so vigorous as it
might otherwise have been.
Wewent into camp three miles beyond
GAINESVILLE, and scarcely halted when bush
whacking commenced on all sides. Skir-
mishers we're sent out and drove them of
until dark. Attempts were made all night,
under cover of severe storm, upon the pick
cts, but their alertness frustrated the johnny
Rebs, though at daylight one man from the,
Sd Wis. was killed at his post.
On the 29th, skirmshing began with the
march, in front and on both fanks. Major
Derry's skirmishers soon checked these at.
tacks, and yet the firing was kept up to some
extent, doing little damage, the enemy suffers.
ing somewhat in wounded We went into.
camp on White Oak Greek. While the Ser.
geants were posting the pickets, the enemy
opposed them in a lively manner, and our
force, being ignorant of his numbers, lay On.
their arms all night, and occasional firing was
kept up on every side, during which one pri-
waite of the Sd Ark Cavalry was killed on his
post. ~.
During the last three days, forage had been
plentiful, and on the evening of the
SOth of September, the party reached
Van Buren,, but found no feed for horses -
The ambuiances and wagons were loaded with
sick, for it had rained every night during the
march. On the LIST of October, Major Derry
reported to Gen. Thayer at Fort Smith, and
delivered his dispatches o.
This was not the first Union force that had;
succeeded in reaching the fort from Little
Rock since the interruption of steamboating
on the river. Gen. Thayer represented that
the enemy were upon every side, and were
cutting off his forage and mail parties, and
had either driven back or captured every.
party he had started for Little Rock.
After resting several days at Van Buren,,
the return march was resumed, an account of
which would be very much like that already
given-a continual skirmish with bushwhack-
ers and daily guerrilla fighting. Our loss was
killed, 2 missing, died at Van Buren,, and
81 were left sick. Sixty-three non-veterans,
who had been on duty at the latter place and
the fort, were brought back with the COM
mand TO Little Rock. -e.'
The march for the round trip was 400 miles.
We killed of the enemy, and captured sew
eral horses and mules, and lived off the win
ter supplies intended by the inhabitants for
secesh soldiery. ~
Your readers may ask, How about pris-f
oners ?" Well, since the shameful murder
by Quantrell of our band, after surrendering,
there are not so many prisoners brought in.
Our men have little to say on the subject, but
there are many sad chapters in the history of
the war on the frontier that no man desires
to write. Those must be held responsible
who were the first to inaugurate. such a state
of affairs. t.sss
We expect to make a fail campaign yet.---
The health of our regiment still improves,
though most of our officers are absent from
their companies. Major John G. Shreling
commands us at the camp, and we have two
captains and three lieutenants here, with sew
en- companies. - -
About half of US are daily on picket duty,
while fatigue parties are at work in camp,
building pine pole shanties and preparing
winter quarters, for it is understood here that
we shall remain until spring, unless peace
shall bless our land before that time.
Very little political discussion is INDUCED
in, but there IS an anxiety to fight olt the
question, and vindicate our Constitution. and
and laws. Frvv rrrse =
Yours for the U'ion, ugcondhtonany,
w. KNIGHT, Sergeant Major.