Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-24

force of cavalry, with $50 wagons, all under
command of Brig Gen Geary, set out towards
Stone Mountain in search Of forage.
We employed the first day in march OF
twenty miles in reaching the field, passing on
our way, along the track OF the Augusta ral,-
road, every tie burnt and rail crooked, through
Decatur, Of yore quite place, the prlncipal
feature of which is square with the Oourt
House in the centre and the business houses
facinr it. Two little girls sat upon door
stem eating crackers some of the men had
given them and saw US pass in utter care
lessness
Our way Law through a hilIy country, IN
General wooded and bearin no trace OF hab-
itation, till we reached Ston, Mountain, pile
of rock which rises like steep grade for a
lunar railway, having rough precipitous sides,
on which a few hardy pine cling tenaciously
with dwarfed trunk and look down on their
valley friends towering straight and hlgh
from she rich bottom. At this mountain is
village bearing its name, but, passed at night,
we know little of it, except the lights in the
windows looked inviting to US houseless night
watchers.
October 9th was employed in filing wag-
ons, IA few wagons and a large party of men
at a time being taken, with precauton against
surprise Corn was housed, so we had light
and lively work-men hurriedly dug sweet
potatoes, and cattle or sheep were secured.
Here squad is in pursuit of poultrY-there
a well-fed pig is overtaken, and all return
loaded to camp.
On the 18th we set out to return. The in
fantry were sent all along the road and at
intervals, forming strong picket train guard,
then fall in between rear guard and cavalry,
and we return safe to camp entirely success
full and losing no men.
Since our return rumOr followed hard on
its fellow and news was abundant to the cred
ulous Atlanta was to be abandoned and a
grand raid made to some Southern point-to
Savannah, Mobile, or Macon. Others saw a
return to Chattanooga, destroying bridge, tie
and rail as we went, with a hot pursuit by
Beauregard. But none k11eU anything-ail
we're mystifed.
November 9TH orders came upon us wash
ing clothing, building chlmneys, and dream
less of change, and traps were collected and
we marched away with heavy loads; leaving
tents intact, save the covering, and more than
the usual number of kettles and camp equip
age. We found general movement in pro-
gress trains of wagons, line of ambulance
es, brigade, and again repeated, till Allan
TIA really seemed evacuated and we were
moving on the Macon road, and many thought
they saw il" now, sure.
In camp at dark we secured our rails !;
fences vanished, and a long series of bright
fires 'glowed in the darkness, and then came
supper Some at once lay down to rest, while
others sat long by the fires talking of the
movement and the chances of success
Morning came, and volley OF shots and
cheer reused US speedily to our arms. A
small body Of rebels had attacked the pick
cts and the firing continued, and the old ia
milar hum of the balls, not at all pleasant to
the oldest veteran, resoundcd through camp
and wood. The drummers began the Reveil-
le but soon beat a retreat" on the double
quick to the rear, to the amusement of the
men. The rebels fed after having shot dead
soldier of the SD Indiana and captured the
knapsacks of the pickets.
The paymastcr had accompanied Us and the
regiment has been paid for eight months, up
to Sept. LIST, with 800 Treasury notes and $50
notes bearing Z and 5 l0ths per cent. inte-
rest, with coupons attached, and our pay,
long delayed, was still satisfactory.
The regimental Chaplain, Elder Bradley,
have returned to US looking hale and glad to
meet his many friends. He engaged untir-
ingly in labors for the wounded of the bloody
charge of Resaca, and the unused labor was
too much for him. He returned home, re-
cruited, and is again with us, we hope, to the
final end.
The SD Indiana vols, the only regiment
of veterans in the I'd Brigade have been
transferred to the 1st Brigade, and their
places taken by the 105th Illinois, under Col.
Dustin, who now commands our brigade. The
SD were well liked by the 22d, and both par
ties are sorry to be separated after so long
association and mutual sharing of danger,
and the honors of hard-won battles The
1O5th Illinois is a good regiment, and we
shall sooG know each other, and, after all, it
is all in the family, or division, which is the
same thing.
Consequent on this change, Lieut.. Col
Bloodgood returned to the command of his
regiment, and, though it might be a greater
good to a larger number for him to command
the brigade, the men of the 22d are glad for
their sake of his return, not but that Capt
-Kellam had we'll discharged his temporary
duties, however, but to secure for US the SER
vices of them both.
1t was pleasure to return to our old camp
which we had thought not soon again, If ev-
er, to see, and it was much like home feel
ing we experienced when tents were respread,
bright fires blazing in the fireplaces, and
good beds whereoG to rest, especially as
cold wind was blowing and dreary dashes OF
rain falling
The business of the day was the settlement
of debts the buying of watches at double
value-a watch fever has long raged-and
putting together sums of money to buy drafts
to send home for cashing and distribution to
respective assignees. The amount in excess
of SO per month allotment in Co. +, alone,
is considerably above $4,000 and the result
of payday viii be gladly received as home.
We are glad Of the hOme-hke comforts OF
this camp, now our residence Tor nearly two
months, and attend the company polls IN good
spirits, casting our votes for the well-tred
President of the past and present, and GER
tain that knowledge of the interests OF our
country is so general and loyalty so univer-
sal, that the same honest, answering patriot
chef will lead us in the future.
Last evening one of McClellan's admirers,
hailing from New York regiment, strayed
among US, and glibly vanished the military
achievements OF his favorlte, but such Ian
-puage fell on barren soil, and only served to
close the ranks more firmly for to-day. Such
sneeches as those of Generals Logan and
Shurtz open new aveneus of light, and many
who were treading bhndly the Shiny trail OF
the Copperhead under the guiSe of DemOcra.
cy- have seen their error, and fastened to
+brou, their voice on the undouhted patriotic
Union side.
Were there as much unanimity of purpose
at home as in the army, the prospects Of
\ Soto sovereignty champions would be dim,
an3 the ground of rebel hope evanescent
Snenhens' raw of light be but transient me
taor and the lberating OF our soldiers on pa
role 10 vote for Mcclellan losing game
hnt this is not expected. At each succeed
inc, call for troops, the loyal re 7ponded near
-. iii tho once minority Or peace-seekerS