Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-03-03
From the 18th Wisconsin.
Correspondence Of the State Journal.
OLD INDIANoLA, Texas,

correspondence or the state Journal.
OLD INDIANoLA, TEXAS,
January 2Sth, 1861
Editors State Journal An event has lust
TRANSFERRED of which as soldiers we feel so
proud, that l communicate it through your
columns, in order that our friends may par
ticipate in our fortune. 1t is the publication
of the following order:
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, TEXAS,
Pass Cayallo, Jan. 18th, 1854.
General Orders No. II.
The field officers of the day, for January 23d, 1864
has called the attention OF the Maj-General COM
handing, to the perfection of instruction discover
ed in the Picket Line and Guards of the llth Wis
consin volunteers. The Commanding General ac-
knuwedges the great pleasure he feels at recogniz-
ing in the soldiers the qualities which he has here
tofore heard they possessed Such proficiency re-
fleets honor on the officers and proves the existence
OF an g." Esprit du Corps" which not only makes
their States, but the Northwest, feel proud.
By order of Maj G eneral
N. j. Il. DANA,
Official HUGH H. Brown
B: WILSON, Capt. Asst. Adjt. len eral.
Capt. A. A. G..
You cannot imagine how highly we esteem
this notice under the circumstances that have
surrounded us since our connection with this
department., not that we are not vain enough
to think that we deserve praise, but this dis
tinction is so marked that regiment might
90 through series of hard campaigns with
out being fortunate enough to obtain such
notice, however well it might have deserved
it. Major Crooks, of the 21st Iowa, was the
officer of the day who made the report. We
shall ever remember him as an officer who
was not prevented by sectional jealousy from
awarding praise where he deemed it due, as
is to often the case
1t has taken many weary months Of steady
perseverance on the part of both officers and
men to become prominent in such an army as
this, but the receipt of such tribute will be
esteemed by every soldier a full recompense
for all he has endured. / know of but one
thing that would give us more sincere gratif-
cation; that is, that our excellent colonel,
Harris, to whose skill and perseverance, we
are mainly indebted for whatever superiority
we may possess, should be rewarded by pro-
motion to position we know he is eminently
qualified to fill. True, we should all regret
to lose him, but this feeling would be over
come by the knowledge that justice had been
done to an officer whom, through all the vi
cisitudes of a soldiers life, we nave learned
to appreciate and esteem.
It is now certain that we are going into the
veteran service, a sufficient number have al
ready re-enIisted and Lieut.. Col. Whittlesey
is now at New Orleans to make arrangements
for our return home. As only two regiments
are allowed out of corps within one month
we may have to wait few weeks, but we all
anticipate spending the summer with you
Our visit may be short one, but | am sure it
will be a happy one. We are now so per-
sonally interested in this struggle that / do
not think we could rest satisfied until the
final victory is won, and we have been pres
ent to swell the shout of triumph. But after
having once again visited those whom we
hold most dear, | hope we may return to duty
with as much pride as the people of State
can feel in one regiment out of so many as
have been sent out by Wisconsin.
The winter is said to be almost over. We
have not had "norther" for some time, and
the weather lately has been SO fine that it has
been common to see nude bather on the
shore in 10 hurry to dress after his bath
This place is decided improvement on De-
crows Point. Some one has lived here some
time: indeed, there are a few inhabitants
still left, who live among US quite peaceably.
The entire first division is now here. The
first and third brigades are stationed about
three miles down the coast, at place COM
monty called "Powder Horn.
The rebels often come within sight Of US,
on the nrairie, but seldom within range.
when the 18th first came here, and before
tho balance of the brigade arrived, an at
temnt was made to cut them off, but sup
nose that they thought taking Lient. Col.
Whittlesev, with his boys, would SO much re-
sembIe the catching of q Tartar" that they
withdrew. The only evidences of fight
were a few dead and wounded of the enemy
that were found. We had not any casual les.
The health Of the entire army is very good.
Our surgeons have had easy times this winter;
Our brigade looks finely; every man is well
clad every non-commissioned officer wears
his appropriate clteyerons. l do not remem-
Der at any time before to have seen the brig
ade looking so well. I hope in my next to
be able to tell when we may he expected
home. CHARLIE.
A "ladies shoemaker advertises HIM
self boldly as one of " the sole her system p