Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-05-20
CORRESPONDENCE.


GRAND EcoRE, La, April 18th.
DEAF PARENTS -
Since we left Mcchitochcs we have seer
rather hard time, We left there the stl
about Q A. NJ, and marched about J.:
miles. The next day We marched abou
90 miles to Pleasant Hill. When we go
there we found that the Rebs had beer
at work, the cavalry had been skirnishine
with them and had driven them some ways
The next day the Sd and 18th divisions oil
the 18th corps were in the advance. We
marched only miles before we went int
camp. but VIC were soon ordered on: we
could hear the artillery quito plain We
went on the double quick about half til,
distance After going about six miles We
came up to portions Of the 18th corps
along side the road ; another mile brought
Ills to the field of action, there we fount
things in bad shape. The cavalry had beer
driven back five miles, and the 18th corps
were being driven from the field. As il
was the first time our Regiment had beer
under fire, was afraid they would no,
stand. 1t was as bad chance to form q
line of battle as ever saw. The cavalry
and large number of infantry were flying
in confusion from the field yet our line
was formed i'll good order and done quick
at that. We had hardly got it formed,
when our men in front came rushing back.
We were i'll thieket of small trees and
the Rebs soon showed themselves among
them, then the 18th fired their first volIev
for the land of liberty. The sun was about
down when we went into the contest. and
it WAS soon SO dark that we could not see
the moon. but i" fortune favor. the brave, =,
after dark there WIS but very little firing
once i'll while few Grey backs would
steal IN the edge Of the woods and let drive
at us but just as soon as the flash of a
rebel gun was seen. there was a perfect
storm of bullets poured upon them. The
night was clear, but the moon was new
and not much light came through the trees
About 10 +. NJ. two Cos were thrown
out about GOO yards on Pickets. We laid
there till about one in the morning. when
we We're ordered to rise up then to our
surprise we found that we had GOT to re-
trace our steps. Our Regiment was as
signed the post of kosor. the rear of al
1t was hard march We were tired and
sleepy, and expected every minute to hear
the Rebel cavalry on our rear. but we did
not. About II \. NJ, We reached our
old camp ground at Pleasant Hill, having
marched about 30 miles and fought good
smart battle in about II hours In few
hours VIC again heard the sound of the
contest. The Rebels were reinforced hy
Kirby Smith. Who had the command with
Dick TAYLOR under him. We were cheer
cd BY the news that Smith with portions
of the 10th and Eth corps had arrived on
the ground. The fighting Of the afternoon
was hard, a perfect storm Of shot, shell
and ,harpnel intermixed With buck and
bali: yelling. cheering. and the rebels
Htre a. last forced to retire.
We were not engaged with the enemy
the 2l day. fight, bnt we're under fire, and
4aite number of our boys were wounded
eur Co.. had two men wounded the first
night, and one the second. There wee
but Two men killed i'll the Regiment. they
were both corporals, in Co.,t;. The mus,
kerry ceased At dark, but We lay III linc OF
battle until midnight, when We lcft the
place and commenced 10 fall back. We
reached here the llth about ) Z. NJ,
having in e days marched over lf0 miles,
aud fought two pitched battles. will
only add that the 10Th Maine has as good
a name as any Regiment in the camp
We were highly conpl,mentcd By onT
Brigadier General Dwight. and also hy
General Banks.
HARRISON.