Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-06-22

this, lust completed, SeVehlY-f our Gays heu
River Expedition, may be of interestto you
and to its friends, principally from the fact of
its being cut off, for weeks, from all commu-
nication with home, 1 send herewith list
of casualties, and have the honor TO make the
following
~ REPORT:
After the return of Maj. General W. 7.
Sherman's great Mississippi raid, March 9th,
the regiment expected surely to 90 home on
its veteran furlough, and could have done so,
if it had not been the especial desire of Gen
Sherman, that the regiment should accompa-
nv Gen A. J. Smiths Red River Expedition,
which | was assured would return after the
expiration of thirty days.
Gen. A. j. Smiths force consisted of Sc
lected detachments from the 1st and Sd di-
visions of the 10th A. c., 1880 men, Brig
Gen. J. A. Mower, commanding, and :, 500
men from the 18th a. c., Brig. Gen. Kilby
Smith commanding.
We left Vicksburg March 10th. The
morning of the 18th we had passed down the
Mississippi, up the Red, and down the Atch-
afalaya Rivers; debarked at Simmsport, La,
and our brigade-2d brigade, lst division-at
A. NJ. charged brigade of rebels who oc
cupied Fort Scurry, four miles north of
Simmsport, at the confluence of Yellow
Bayou with Bayou de Glalse. The enemy
retired before us. We captured, however
twenty-five prisoners and some war stores,
and pursued him several miles. For diver
sion, we countermarched to Simmsport and
at twelve NJ. marched again in the same di-
rection. The whole expedition marched up
along Bayou de Glaise to Fort de Russy, on
Red River, thirty five miles, by p III. of the
following day. The fort was Immediately
invested, three regiments in front Of the
second line charging the work, the whole ar
my being under fire, and took 1t IN three min
utes. Our trophies were, eleven large guns,
many war stores, small arms, and 500 priso-
ners. Our feet here joined US, and We pro
ceeded the next morning to Alexandria,
which, upon our approach, was evacuated.
Gen. Smith having to await the arrival of
Gen. Banks army from the Gulf employed
the time by sending my regiment, with tour
others, under Brig. Gen. Mower, twenty-five
miles northeastward, up along Bayou Rapi-
das to Henderson Hill, where the enemy
were in strong position, with artillery.
This was a severe march. 1t raiueu IAces-
sanity and the men had 10 march through
mud in many places knee deep. However
the march was accomplished in u hours. 1t
was found impracticable to attack the enemy
IN front and a small force being left in front
to attract his attention, Gen. Mower crossed
the bayou with four regiments, made a de
tour of ID miles around in the rear Of the en-
envy through canebrake swamps, and by y
O'clock at midnight came upon the enemy
and captured him, $50 strengthen and Off
cers-4 guns and 400 horses and other mum
tons OF war. Gen. Taylor (rebeD was but
4 miles distant with u 600 men, and this feat
was accomplished by rapid marching through
swamps where it was believed by the enemy
a passage could not be made, and also getting
between Taylor and the force that We cap
tured.
After marching back to Alexandria, on the
morning of the 2fth of March our army
(Smith's) again marched up along the same
route SO miles, to Point Cotile, on Red river.
We waited at this point the passage of Gen.
| Banks army by road, and on the morning OF
| April I'd, our army steamed up Red river for
Grand Ecore, 50 miles distant, whore it was
| expected to find the enemy in force IN strong
| position. Arrived opposite Grand Ecore on
| the evening Of the Sd, l deployed four Of my
eomnaias as skEmStfeT5 c The sbo, yo Of retir-
s sate. ''"' '''u'" S"o" q resist
The river at this time commenced falling
| rapidly; and much fear was entertained about
our supply communication. However, Gen
Banks army having passed on in advance
toward Pleasant Hill and Mansfield, for
Shreveport, through the Piney Woods, Ia
barren region,) our army marched in the
l ) miles through much rain and mud, and on
the 9Th continued our march 6 miles farther
to Pleasant Hill. This day, ID miles in ad-
vance of US, at MISUNDERSTANDING Cross
Roads, part Of Gen. Banks army were
badly defeated and driven back in disorder
on Pleasant Hill.
The next day, Gen. Smiths army, with a
part of Gen. Banks, awaited the attack of
the enemy, and after four hours hard fighting
l. Il, ~
der. My regiment having been posted to
prevent flank movement OF the enemy, was
double-qucked to the front, and arrived Just
at dark, in time to pursue the enemy from
the field. After this victorious battle re-
treat OF the whole army was ordered and we
again marched to Grand EcOre.
April 2lst the whole army commenced its
retreat upon Alexandria. At Nachitoches
my regiment was thrown to the left and front
and held bridge against the enemy, he hay
ing, in large force, goJ between US and Alex
andria, and also upon our TANKS.
The movement to Alexandria was attended
with much hardship and many annoyauces
On the morning of the 24th our brigade and
my regiment were not the rearmost one
however, the enemy having attacked our
rear guard vigorously, 1t was double quicked
two miles to the rear, and advanced rapidly
against him, when he fed in confusion. On
the eve of the 24Jh, Gen. Banks 18th and
10th Army Corps we're in front ten miles,
contenGing with large rebel force for the
passage of the Cane River Gen. A J.
Smiths army brought up the rear ard were
hating at Cloutierville, awaiting the pro-
cedure of the corps in our front, when we
were again vigorously attacked from the rear
with musketry and artillery. My regiment,
with others, were marched one and a half
miles to the rear and right. | had Just
crossed an open field, one and half miles
wide, and gained a thick wood, and com
meneed to deploy my skirmishers, when the
enemy (whn endeavored To get the edge of
the timber before L did, opened on me with
artillery and musketry. After an hours
stubborn fighting, he was driven back in con-
fusion. | lost several wounded In this affair.
The march was continued night and day for
Alexandria, which place we reached on the
10th, previous to which, at Henderson Hill,
our cavalry being pressed upon our right
flank, my regiment was ordered 10 its sup
port.
The evacuation Of the river being now de-
termined upon, it was necessary to dam the
river so as to throw more water into a certain
channel to allow our navy to cross the bar
inst above the city Gen. Smiths army was