Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-17
From the Tweuty.second Wisconsin.

/ Constant SkirnaistiRg-AR Orderly Sergeant
Shot ON Observation-Disclosures 5etsoeen Pick
ets-Position of Wisconsin Regiments-Iae
Draft.
Correspondence OF the State Journal
NEAR ATLANTA, Ga August 20.
From the constant swapping of rihe-shots,
the jarring of shells hurled against the reoei
forts, into their pits or among the bali &C.
serted streets of the CITY, with the unheeded
return messenger, and the nightly ripping OF
distant fighting far to the south, to quiet
which brings US to forget the close proximity
of enemies-is change most acceptable to US.
Not day passed when some one was not
hit by those hot, Kissing balls from Mississip-
pi rifles, and despite our high breastworks,
an occasional bullet lcaped glancing from a
tree down through tent, and added another
to the list of escapes shared by many OF the
regiment.
Any duty aside from real necessity is not
demanded in these days, but an inspection
was recently held, during which Ord. Sergt
Warren, Co. E, was shot through the body
and MORALLY injured. We go our several
ways quietly, and regret the loss of an old
comrade picked off so unexpectedly.
1t is customary for partners of the same
tent to cook and take out meals for those on
DUTY A member of the SD Indiana was
shot while performing this friendly act by
proper observance of caution there is small
danger, and il is a boon to the soldier who Is
wearied by a watchful night, which twenty
four hour sOjourn in a pit shaved by swift
balls would make appreciable to any expert
menter.
There is a useless waste of life involved in
constant skirmishing on picket, when nothing
is gained and the men in camp kept in sus-
pense, and we received overtures of the reb-
els to cease firing, with satisfaction. The
rebels will not talk with US, having been put
under strict orders, but are not adverse to
this temporary truce. We carried a State
Journal and several other papers to point
midway between the pits and placed them in
the crotch of a sapling; the brown coats
gathered TO the nearest pit from left and
right and one of them came straight down to
the bush, took the papers, made us polite
bow and returned. Another came boldly
down to our pit with slip of paper headed,
extra Atlanta Appeal" having three col
umns of matter filed with incidents of the
effect of our shells and of the appearance of
a large body of our men thirty-fve miles
southeast of the city. While | am on this
topic will copy few lines written by john
nv and handed to one of our boys while ex-
changing papers:
August %, 1864.
BILLIE FEDERAL old fellow, as you have
manifested disposition for cessation of
hOstilities, propose we both stack arms and
burn them, and go to our loved ones at home.
Very respectfully, JOHNNY REB.
His proposal is doubtless sincere, but those
who key their shackles hold them in such
subsection that they have no will of their
own, and We cannot regard their defeat 9th
er than an enfranchisement.
There is little of Importance to record
Our last line having been constructed as
strong as necessary, so that an assault is in
vited, we then had no farther care than the
arduous duties of the picket and the rest sue
ceeding, holding ourselves ready for service
in moment and keeping our rifles bright
and clean A day or two since an order for
roll call came out, and that long -buried men,
Ory has been resurrected and recognized.
RumOrs have been current of our with
drawal from the line, and partial cOnirma
ton is given by the departure last night of
the SD Indiana Volunteers, of Onr brigade,
from our right. The Goth Wisconsin lies
next on our right. Ii does not seem to US
that vigorous measures are intended near
here, else We would not be withdrawn
Glimpses into the future painted by hope,
are at a heavy discount since the cOrrespOn-
dent of the Cincinnati Gazette exultantly be-
held the flag waving from the Court House in
the city, and all hands are willing to take
things as they are, being confident that pres
ent inactivity is to be succeeded by telling
efforts.
Every true soldier trusts that the draft
may be promptly and firmly enforced. If
resistance is offered it viii be without ex
cuse, since individual obligation and national
necessity, demand it, and prompt, deservedly
severe punishment should be given. Citizen
soldiers that We are, we claim help from our
fellows for whom we have tOiled these two
long years, and whose interests are no less
than ours, and suicidal is that policy which
opposes our reinforcement.
The Johnnies are gentlemen compared with
those Wisconsin Editors whose cowardly
stabs at our efforts and character, unreprov-
ed, exhibit an unparalleled freedom of
speech, and whose liver would be cheap
could We draw bead on their heads above
a rebel rifle pit. W. H. NJ.