Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-10-20
From the Mississippi Sauadron,

| Present position of P0rte''S F2eet-Af fairs on
| the Ri0er-Iroa6le on Go0ernnaent Planta
tjonS-A COnplimestto tie Josanal-Adpaaet-
ages Of tie GnlbO0t Service
| Correspondence of the State Journal.
Mss SQUADRON, U. S. S. MOUND CITY,
OFF HURRICANE PLANTATION,
MISS, June 9Th, 1854.
There is very little news to write about
since my last, which was written while we
were in the Atchafalaya. We came out the
next day and parted company with the de-
feated army with as good an opinion Of the
men as ever, but hot Of their commander.
We stopped but one day at the mouth of Red
River and proceeded up to this place, our old
anchorage. The imposing flag steamer Black
Hank left the same evening for Cairo. The
| Hound City is stationed here, the Pittsba0g at
| Grand Gulf, Benton at Natchez, and so ON, all
the iron clads taking up their old positions,
and our life has Gained down to the quiet
monotony of former "piping times Of peace"
| There has been scarcely any change here
since we left. The negro troops have been
| considerably augmented, and vegetation is at
| its heights about all the difference notice.
| able. .. e. . . =
The hull of the Ladianola still remains in
the same condition as when we left, lying hard
and fast on the bank. Natchez (where we
remained three days appears to be doing
considerable business but the secesh had
commenced a system of setting fires, which
threatened to be the utter destruction OF the
town. Several large buildings have very re
Gently been burned, and a fire was of nightly
occurrence there when we left. At visit to
! Headquarters there I learned that those per-
sons who were endeavoring to work the Gov
eminent plantations were being annoyed
great deal by guerrillas who will make RAIDS
upon them, stealing their stock, and IN many
instances burning them out. 1t is almost I'M
possible to protect them all from these ma
rauding bands, as they come and go, no one
knows when their next visit will be PAID, and
unless the Government can place force OF a
hundred men on each plantation, don't see
how the matter can be effectually remedIed.
Your last batch of papers were eagerly
read, and the numerous correspondents III
Banks division gave universal satisfaction
and were reliable as far as we could know
Every one was glad to know that the truth
would have an airing, and that the people at
home could have an opportunity OF judging
as to who were the ones to blame. The New
Orleans papers and also the New York HeT'a1
gave ANYTHING but fair and truthful account
of things I'D Red river in their first descflp.
tions of the affair." The former were silent
and the latter lauded Banks until reader
who was acquainted with the facts would
throw down the paper in disgust
The weather is delightful, and we are iuxu-
rating on greens, lettuce, blackbe'rles, ana
green peas, notwithstanding the many pro-
tests of weak stomachs.
Quite a number of three years men are
leaving, as their term of service expires ana
they are promptly allowed to return home.
l can't see why there are not more recruits
coming in, as the gunboat service Is MANIFEST
" the most easy and comfortable service Oh
fered. and although no bounty is ohered'yet
the nrize money any year yet of the present
war has amounted to more than any bounty
ever given in the land service, anu coqla a
nalrsso0 stem on board il the evening and see
The merry cotiIlion, mo ladies OF courseE and
boor the old violin, he would think gunboat,
o,,I-tbino but dull. Just now our inter-
-. orc chiefly centered in the training, la
H Ise and King, of two fighting cocks, and
~ iI1doe from the conversation, all are as
,nncb Interested in the result as though the
.afety of the country depended on it.. The
conflict will take place the day after to-mor-
.ow, but az l hardly think the excitement
Fin extend as far north as Wisconsin, shall
OF take. the trouble to report the rounds,
rst blood, &c. -a ~ 4astto5 *fg'i
| will not claim your attention again until
omething takes place worth relating outside
our ordinary routine of life. B. A.
--s--S-s---- a-E agH- rs e..