Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-05-14
correspondence of the state journal.
CAMP OF 18th Wis. VOL,
GRAND EcoRE, La, April 10Th, 1864

CAMP OF 18th WIS. VOL,
GRAND ECoRE, La, April 18th, ls64.| -,
Aessrs. Editors AS we have had a little
smell of powder lately, / wish to vent my i'll
nature upon the public at large, there being
prudential motives, which prevent its exhibit
ton toward those who have aroused my
temper.
We left Natchitoches the 9th, and arrived
at Pleasant Hills the afternoon of 18th; found
the cavalry in an excitement, the rebels hav
ing made a stand in the pine woods, lust be-
yond the place, and gobbled up hundred or
two of our men.
We went into camp, as usual, and all was
quiet during the night.
Next morning at an early hour, the 4th
Division moved on, and ours followed; while
the 1st division of the 10th Army Corps was
to bring up the rear.
gFives companies of the goth wiz, A, c, F,
l and K, J were detailed as rear guard for the
wagon train, leaving only the 46th Indiana
and five companies of our regiment in the lst
brigade. Ht
The train belonging to the cavalry division
was near tie head of tie column, while batteries
and infantry were scattered prOmiscuously
along, in order to have them protected l
suppose. ss-as
As both Banks and old Franklin were along
with US, we imagined, there was no great
danger of a fight, and yet, feeling OF uneasi-
ness was over US, because our force was so
much scattered. Our route was through a
dense forest of young pines, where it was al
most impossible to keep skirmishers deployed,
while the road was very narrow, and frequent
ly crossed by small ravines, where only one
team could by any possibility cross at once,
and infantry could scarcely pass, if by chance
a trace unhitched, and team was obliged to
STOP.
We passed the place where the cavalry
was surprised the day before, and saw the
marks of sharp firing upon the trees around,
while q dead reb., and the clothing of others,
who had been removed, indicated that smart
skirmish had taken place. Shortly after this
we heard firing ahead, which was afterwards
ascertained to be at saw mill, upon a small
stream, some eight or ten miles toward Mans
field from Pleasant Hills. 1t was between
the 23rd and other regiments ofthe 4th divis-
ion and a body of the rebels, who made show
of resisting our attempts to advance. The
enemy was driven back, and we proceeded a
few miles to some fields, where we found
Franklin's headquarters flag, and saw indica-
tons OF going into camp. We soon turned
into a field, stacked arms and commenced pre-
parstions for remaining over night. learned
that the 4th division was three or four miles
ahead, and the cavalry with Nym's Battery
was still further on. Very soon we heard the
roar of artillery, and in a short time the order
was given to "fall in, and go to the support
of the 4th. -.-t..s IT,
We moved off, not at "doubIe quick, but
so near it, that we made four miles in less
than an hour, and the last mile was through
the brush, as the trains blocked up the road.
The firing grew heavier as we advanced, and
soon the volleys of musketry intermingled
with the roar of artillery, and we knew there
was work ahead. ss srsr -sve
To explain little lit appears that when
the cavalry and advance of the infantry COM
menced preparations for encamping, the rebs
opened upon them, and massing their forces
for the attack, suceeededin gobbling up Nym's
Battery and driving back the cavalry.
The 4th Division went in, and caused the
enemy to fall back for time; but being in
great force they repeated their attempts, and
finally caused the 4th to fall back just as we
came up. - Ir 5000 .nae
Our brigade deployed to the right Of the
road, and the second brigade formed in line
upon the left. =
We were ordered to advance to the edge
of the woods, nearly half mile, and having
done so, found an extensive field, with a
crooked rail fence, running along the borders
of the timber; and inside of the fence were
scattering dead trees, destitute of bark, and
looking very "butternutty." There was also
a line of rebs less than twenty rods distance
from us but as they were dressed in dark
clothing, we, at first, supposed it was por-
ton of our own men, and for a moment held
our fire but a second look assured US that
they were lawful game, and two Oh three vol
leys were given them before they got across
the field and out of range. We soon retired
few rods and stood in line waiting demon
STATIONS. But a short time elapsed before
we could plainly see heavy column OF the
enemy advancing obliquely across the field
for the purpose of fanking us upon the right.
Yot we were assured constantly that 7" The
10Th Corps was upon our right" and there
was. no danger; when the fact was, we had
no support, and the 10Th was at least six
miles backtowardP Pleasant Hills; but coming
as fast as the circumstances would permit.
But this didn't help our case at all for with
ten or fifteen thousand men to oppose our
two thousand, they had only to gallon their
mounted infantry around, and place them-
selves in our rear well as our front.
We who could see what was Transporting,
were well aware of our danger; yet we re-
manned until the enemy was SO near that we
were completely hemmed in. upon the right
when an overwhelming charge drove the sec.
ond brigade back, leaving our leftquite as
much exposed. - or
When the enemy's cavalry was within TWEEN.
ty rods upon our left, gallopping down across
the road, and their balls were falling like hail,
and the infantry upon our right commenced
CALLING fire at short range for the first time
discovering their close. proximity to US, and
convincing the brigade commander that we
were yet unsupported ;-zthen he remarked
lit is said, " the men. better surrender, but
he should not be taken alive" Shortly after
hewas shot9anditis supposed killed. We
heard nothing of this, but saw the 46th max
ing movement toward the rear, and not in
the very best order. aelilp3n 81 ea2
"a We saw that it was 90 Every man for. his
own pork and beansp as boys sometimes
play ball; and the way the Goth got out of
the tall grass, and over the ground, wasya
caution to Flora Temple.
There is no telling, who ran fastest, but it
is fact, that every one who eoald run, gave
the rebs sight at his coat tail; a thing we
have never done before. .'Pt' - =
fe We found the teams in a perfect Jam
completely blocking up the road and render
ing it impossible for the batteries, which
were in advance of them, to get by, or thro'
them. Several guns were lost in this way,
and the whole train of the cavalry division
was left to the rebels.
Some two mr. three miles from the field we