Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-25
Letter from Memphis.


from its public men, contemplate part.
Il. A.
Letter from Memphis.
The Battle Of Bayou CticOt-Part taken By the
Eighth Wisconsin-List of Oasaalties-1Tib-
: ute to the Eighth and its ColOnsl--Gen.
Washbun's Sound Administration.
oorrespo ndenee OF the State Journal.
GAYoso HOUSE,
MEMPHIS, June 10, 1864.
Some seven thousand men of Gen. A. J.
Smiths command arrived here this morning
from vicksburg on large feet of transports.
The 9Th Wisconsin veterans, under Lit. Col.
Jefferson commanding, were among the num-
Der. had the pleasure of greeting the gal
land Colonel to-day, in true Badger style.
He looks very inch the soldier.
Gen. Smith had orders to try and demolish
the force under Marmaduke, which has lately
had battery of ten guns on the river bank
at Columbia, Arkansas, and which has fired
into and seriously injured nearly every steam
boat that has passed there for the past two
weeks. Arriving at Sunny Side, seven miles
below Columbia, on Monday the 9th inst,
Gen. Smith landed his forces and sent for
ward Gen. Mowers division of / 500 infan-
try, and battery of artillery, the 9Th Wis
consin being among the number
Our forces soon found the enemy's skir-
mishers and drove them in, their main body,
5000 strong, also retiring under fire about
three miles, until they got around and in the
rear of a narrow bayou running parallel with
their line of battle, and which thoroughly
protected their right flank, while their left
was formed in Bayou Chicot, running at right
angles with the other bayou, or nearly so,
and only a narrow passage between, well
protected by them with artillery. Here
they made stand, and Gen. Mower coming
up engaged them, the two lines of battle be-
ing very near each other and much concealed
from view by rank growth of weeds. A
desperate contest for few moments ensued.
The enemy had excellent artillery and used
it well, while our own was very poor and
badly handled; but Notwithstanding all these
disadvantages our gallant boys, by pure force
of musketry, drove the rebels from their po-
sition and sent them kiting to the rear,
driving them some nine miles from the river,
when the division was ordered to return, and
the whole force re-embarked and came up
the river 1t was expected to make brief
job of it, and capture the whole force by u
surprise but nothing seems to surprise the
rebels, and they were well prepared to re-
ceive us.
Our forces having only two days rations,
with no cavalry of consequence, could not
follow them up. The result is that the OBJ
noxious battery has probably returned to its
4 t. L., lie. Sc kbo
great river.
have thus sketched briefly and imperfect
ly what they call the battle of Bayou Chicot,
as given me by officers engaged, and they all
unite in saying that for about five minutes it
was one of the most holly contested engage
ments they have ever been in, which must
have been, should say, slightly hot, consider
ing that all engaged we're veteran forces, and
have, during the past seventy-fve days been
under fire seventeen times up Red river alone
We lost 125 killed and wounded and ne enc
my probably about the same.
The 9Th Wisconsin being opposed to the
enemy's left, where their artillery was mainly
posted, suffered severely, losing nineteen
killed and wounded, whose names give you
below The dead were buried ON the spot
and the wounded are now in Memphis.
Col Jefferson had his favorite charger
shot under him twice, the latter time pierced
by five balls The horse fell upon the Col
onels legs and he was for some minutes un-
able to extricate himself The noble ami
NAL, writhing in pain, soon however, sprang
to his feet the Colonel mounted him and
rode with terrific speed for few rods, when
the horse fell dead, again throwing his rider,
but without injury. Colonel Jefferson is yet
on earth, but it was loud call for him. He
| is one of your true soldiers, with discretion
and pluck, half the amount of which has won
many star since the war has been raging.
The regular olive eagle spirit pervades the
| regiment, from conmandant to drummer boy,
and trust Wisconsin will give them the
warm reception they deserve, on their return
| to the State as re-enlisted veterans, which
will occur within week.
/ might go on with long letter, commend
atory of Gen. Washburn's policy here, which
| is really sound to the core might tell you of
the three soldiers saw shot to-day for COM
hitting rape; and might give you several in
teresting items which l have gobbled up
here and hereabouts; but as am not pro-
fessional correspondent, think l will let you
get your news in some other way.
With three cheers and a tiger for Gen.
Grant and Old Abe, remain, d. K. I.
Last of Killed and Wounded of the Eighth Wis
consin, at the Battle Of Bayou Chicot on the
9Th of June:
COMPANY A.
Orlando NJ. Whitman, confusion right hip,
.-st COMPANY B.
Davies German, flesh wound, left arm-lung,
ball, severe.
| Charles Corbitt, amputation, right thigh, ball.
Serg't Henry A. Daley, amputation right
hand, confusion of left thigh.
Corp1 John w. Miller, head shot oil with
cannon ball
John Esterlitz, head shot off with a cannon
ball.
COMPANY D.
Serg't Geo. NJ. Ross, confusion right thigh,
shell, severe.
Daniel Baker, flesh wound in left arm, severe.
Sykes P. Armitage, flesh wound in leg, she'll.
serg't Corydon Bosghton, confusion of right
hand, shell.
James Richards, flesh wound in left side,
shell.
Henry G. Chamberlain, confusion.
Albert F. latham, confusion.
COMPANY +.
Frank Brady, flesh wound in left leg.
Corp1 Francis Y. Wagner, confusion in chest,