Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-01-28
From the 18th Regiment.
Go rresPcrdence Of the State journal
A.ITruCy NJ n 1,.-

us capabilities tor travelling, and again IT has
succeeded in getting over considerable ground
in fine style and short time Again has il
sought . foeman worthy of its STEEL" and
again it has been disappointed; the redoubt-
| able . graybacks most unaccountably getting
wind OF our approach, getting up grand
skedaddle and leaving for parts unknown with
such vigorous effort that we failed even to
get dissolving view of their rebellious
rearS
But TO particularize: At noon on the 2lst
Dec. orders were quietly issued to be all
ready to march at o'clock p. m. with 40
rounds Of cartridge, 5 days rations of bread
and groceries, l days meat, and salt enough
to season 2 DAYS rations of fresh meat"
Several companies of cavalry went out on
the Pine Ridge road; and about . o'clock D.
M. the infantry force, consisting of the Goth
and S2d His, with "ours," and four guns I'M
der Capt. Rogers, the whole under command
of Brig. Gen. Gresham, moved out on the
Washington road, reaching the village of
Washington, & miles out, Just at dusk. As
the principal portion of the inhabitants were
looking from their doors at the unusual mill
tary display, Col. Proudft, of ours" with
delicate perception of their wants, which
does him honor, in order to complete the
glorious pageant, and crafty their prejudices,
requested the feld-music to play that good
old tune, Old John Brown" which was ac-
cordingly performed in an effective manner,
Judging by the rapid insertion of aristocratic
fingers into feminine ears, and the sudden
disappearance Of sundry fair ladies within
the grateful barriers of doors and walls.
We crossed Washington Greek on very
good bridge, which spanned wide BAYOU,
now nearly dry, but at times holding water
enough for gunboats to vancouver in. Here
we halted and rested, filled our canteens, and
prepared for further adventures. Some CON-
panies OF mounted infantry under Col Farrar
of the 30th Missouri, moved to the front, as
an advance guard, and to act as investigat-
ing committee" in case of opposition being
offered to our progress.
Crossing st. Catharine's bridge, and anoth-
er little run, now nameless and bridgeless,
we marched on some lO2 miles by moonlight,
biyouacking in corn-feld on the banks of
Hollis creek, about u o'clock p. H. As the
ground was very thoroughly water-soaked, our
rest was not of the most comfortable charac-
rer, but we cared little for that. seeing that
we were stealing a march " upon our trai-
had been visiting at Washington and retired
at our approach, eating supper at the house
of the owner of the field where we were
staying, but again fell back, before our arriv-
al to their main body beyond Fayette.
At daylight we were again on the road
crossing Hollis and Evans creeks, proceeding
in peace and quiet to within two miles of
Fayette, where we halted for dinner. Att
O'Clock p. m. we again started, but this time
on the back-track, it having been aScertained
that Writ Adams, the rebel commander, had
declined the honor of Christmas visit from
our forces, broke up his encampment and was
on his way to Christie's Springs, 90 miles
from Fayette, on the double quick"
We marched back several miles and cooked
supper, during which we learned that the
Marine Brigade had landed at Rodney and
had been fighting the rebels back towards
Fayettc, and had driven some $50 Mounted
Infantry through the town since we had started
back, and if we had remained there they
would have fallen into our hands. A Lieu
tenant and some four or five privates were
brought past us under guard, and we were
informed that the Marine Brigade had got
some fifty or sixty more prisoners the pro-
duct of several skirmishes along the road to
Fayette, and its vicinity.
1t being cloudy and threatening weather, it
was decided to fall back to the west side of
Hollis Creek, as it has the reputation of get
ting high" on very short notice. and keeping
IN that condition for an unreasonable length
OF time without paying the least respect to
any PERSONS necessities During the very
last ram, 1T had gone on regular "high old
time, and drowned rebel Lieutenant who
was attempting to cross with a small scouting
party We travelled along rapidly, an occas-
ional shower besprinkling US, until we crossed
the creek, and bivouaclled in the woods by the
side of the road about o'clock P. NJ.
AT daylight We again fell in and started
along-the old 18th Wisconsin leading the
COMMUNICATING Washington about 10 A. NJ;
our field-music ravishng the ears if not the
hearts Of its population with the melodious
strains OF Yankee Doodle" safely arriving
at home about o'clock P NJ, an event that
gave unbounded satisfaction to many sore
footed hero, as their cheers abundantly testi-
fed.
Since leaving Natchez for Vicksburg, we
have received visit from Mrs. Harvey, thro'
whose interpositiOn, it is alleged, the regi-
ment has received a set Of new wedge tents,
in which we are now snugly esconced, bidding
defiance to rain and storm, condition we
have often wished for during the past year,
but with only faint hopes of ever obtaining.
You may be sure that Mrs. Harvey has lost no
friends in this regiment by her kindness
Our regiment is in most healthy condition,
not more than one to three having been in
the hospital at any one time for weeks past.
There is considerable excitement among
the troops here on the subject of re-enlist-
ment, and many are coming forward to sustain
the honor and preserve the glory of our noble
country 1t is supposed that this regiment
will soon be entitled to 90 home and reor-
ganize, on account OF their re-enlisting so
freely.
The weather is quite mild and open yet, and
althoug we have frosty nights occasionally,
we enjoy it exceedingly.
The military of this Post have been enjoy
ing Christmas hugely. Balls, dinners and
parties have been the order of the day, and
tipsy uniforms might be seen upon their
winding way" at all hours of night Arrests,
Of course, have been plentiful, but then as
"Christmas comes but once a year," every
body goes i'll for enjoyment, and laughs at
trouble. w.
DICKENS TWENTY YEARS AGo-Twenty
years ago Charles Dickens ruled the realm of
fiction. We college boys joked in Wellerisms,
and wept over Oliver and little Nell With
a letter from our friend Mrs. M, | sought
the young lion in his lair; but he was at the
sea. side finishing his famous American
Notes" that bore so hard on our national salya
and slarery. On his return he called and in
vited me to his SanctiSn. 1t was graced with
sketches and statuettes of Sam Weller. Pick