Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-05-13
NO. Z.
. Army Correspondence Delaware Gazette.
From the 96th Regiment.
GRANpEooRE, L., April Ia, l86

GRANDEooRE, La, April II, 1864.
j Mr.. EDITOR: = PresumiDg on the many in
quiries made in regard to the movements of
the Goth Regiment since we have been oat on
this campaign, concluded 10 transmit a few
lines for insertion in your paper. should you
deem it expedient 10 give them room.
On our arrival at Berwick City, Texas, we
camped day or two to turn over our camp
and garrison equippage, preparatory to auoth-
er campai ign up beyond Teche; then marched
ont to Franklin where we camped day or
two making some changes in the organization
of the troops and transferring our regiment TO
/ the I'd Brigade-our Colonel in command OF
/ the Brigade. A day or two before we started
the Cavalry Division passed to the front. and
ou the 10Th of March he troops all started
! for the 'ronr the l9th Army Corps uking the
advance
The country through here is very fine, and
as the weather was favorable it made it very
pleasant marching; and also the fencing through
the country was highly appreciated by the sol
dier boys in making camp fires when we camp
ed for the night We were intending to make
connection with Gen. A. J. Smith, who was
coming up Red River in transports, in taking
the town of Alexandria, but received dis
patch when we were two days back that he
had already taken the place, and on the 26th
we entered The town just in time to see the
last of Smiths troops moving on up the river.
The next day being Easter Sunday, we lay by
/ TO rest one day. We then moved on up to
/ Cane Greek, where we had to halt until the
| pontoon train came up; then crossed the creek
ard moved on to Natchitoches, the Cavalry
skirmishiDg with the enemy nearly all the way.
/ At \ Natchitoehes we made connection with
Gen. Smith, and loaded our teams with pro-
visions, and ON the morning Of the 9th we
again resumed our line of march through the
| Pine woods on the Texas road, frequently
passing the old camps of the enemy, where
the campfire were still smoking, giving US in
| dications that they were but a short distance
ahead, and on the evening OF the 7th we ar
rived at Pleasant Hill in time 10 hear the
voleys Of musketry a short distance ahead,
| and the Sd Division was ordered forward on
double quick to support the Cavalry, but were
not needed On the morning of the 9Th we
started on 10 the front, the Cavalry skirmish-
| ing with the enemy, and the lst Brigade of
our division advancing in line Of battle until
we arrived at :" Moss Lane" about l8 miles
out-the wagon train being moved forward
for skirmishers, with the 4th Division as sup
port. The train having to fall back, we were
overpowered and compelled to retreat until we
were re-eniorced by the 10Th A. O., which
came up just in time to save our whole Brig
ade from being captured. That same night
we all fell back to Pleasant Hill, leaving all
our killed and wounded on the field, and nearly
all our artillery and part of the ambulance
and wagon train. When we came to Pleas
ant Hill we were re-enforced by Gen. Smith,
who took position while we moved on back to
this place. At o'clock p. m. the enemy
came on TO him in heavy force, but be was
ready for them and gave them complete
whipping, taking great number of prisoners,
and then followed us to this place.
We now have our lines established in the
rear of this town, and have erected strong
breastworl1s where we can withstand almost
any force they may bring against us.
We regret The loss we have sustained in our
! Company. Among The number is Captain
Eastman, wounded 10 the right hand; Jno.
/ Carpenter, wounded in the left arm; Perry
Moses, wounded in the left hip and missing;
Joshua q. OLDHAM, wounded in the left shoul
der; E. P. Cruickshank, killed The wounded
are all well cared for so far as they within
our lines. Our Surgeon, Hospital Steward.
and Chaplain were left with the wounded in
the hands of the enemy
am compelled to "wind up" for want of
time, hoping to have more leisure at some fu-
ture date. Yours with respect, J. l.. X.