The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-06-17

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This Battery, in which Ottawa, during the
whole war, felt SO deep an interest, was dis.
charged at Springfield on Tuesday, and its
members doubtless by this time have reached
their homes. There was report that many
Of them would arrive here OH Thursday, and
the intention was to give them a formal re-
ceptiun; but the project failed because they
had really scattered before getting here.
The battery-which in the army was known
as CO. C, lst III. Artillery. was organized by
Col. Hougbtaling at Cairo in July, 1861, Its
members being largely taken from the infan-
try company of 3 months men raised by (then)
Capt. Housbtalins at the commencement of
the war. The rest we're recruited ut Cairo
and Ottawa. The battery during the sum-
mer and fall of 1861, was stationed at Bird 5
Point, then went down the river to Port Madi-
son, and Island No. 10, and was il at the
taking of that position. Afterwards it went
up the Tennessee river, but we are without
its record until the battle of Murfreesboro, in
which it took a most honorable and conspicu-
GUS part.
1t accompanied the grand march of the
army of Gen. Rosecrans from Murfreesboro
to Chattanooga, was in the battles of Chica-
manga and Mission Ridge; and on the 9Th of
Nav, 1864. started with Shermans grand
army on the march to Atlanta. During this
campaign, which lasted from May 9th to p
m. Sept 9th, and which was almost continu-
ous battle from the beginning to the close,
battery &C." bore probably heavier part
than aLy other battery in the army. Colonel
Houghtaling. chief of artillery Of the 18th
corps, reports it as LAYING fred during the
march lO,45l rounds, which was some 4 1000
more than was fired by any other battery in
the 18th corps, and probably by any other in
the army and Col. II. adds, - it never failed
to silence the guns of the enemy if within
range Its losses were man killed, II
wounded , horses killed and - died.
From Atlanta it started with Sherman OH
Nov. 10th, 1864, on the march TO Savannah,
reaching the latter point Dec. 18th. Not
shot was fred on this march, ard but days
rations were issued during the march the
Company having subsisted itself by = forag-
ing"
From Savannah Battery c. again started
with Sherman on his march, through the
CaroIinas, Jan. 10Th. On this march, as in
the preceding one, very little lighting occur
red, until after passing Fayetteville: but it
WAS attended by some of the heaviest march
j Ig on record. From: the Great Pcdee to the
CIeraw the battery marched So miles in
FIVE days, heavy rains falling every day,
ard the roads being a bottomless pit OF mud
After crossing Cape Fear river, beyond Fay
ct eville. March 10Th, the battery haC hot
on the road to Goldsboro, in
which 1t lost killed and wounded. But
the enemy was driven back, and the army
reached Goldsboro March 23d.
From that date, is history is without
events. II remained in the vicinity ofGolds-
ooro until after the capltuation Of Johnston,
md then, with the balance of the l4th corps
moved to Washington, and therce to Spring
field, H., where i, has just been discharged.
lis history, though very imperfectly gwen,
il is thus seen, is proud one and when, on
the 4th prox., the people of Ottawa meet to
do honor to our returned braves, Let them not
forget as among III use entitled 10 highest
ionyrs, he veterans Of Battery c., lst III.
Artillery.