Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-25
of the State Journal.
DUvALL's BLUFF, ARK,
February l, 1865.

Correspondence of the State Journal.
DUvALL's BLUFF, ARK,
February l, 1865.
Ifessrs Editors Many changes have oc-
cured in the Thirty-ffth Wisconsin Regi-
ment since last wrote. Col. VIM Nc T.. Dye
has accepted Majorship in the Regular ar
INV, and consequently resigned his rank as
Colonel i'm tie Volunteer service, and COM
mander of the 4th Brigade, Reserve Corps,
Military Division, West Mississippi, which
Brigade the S5th is now in. This Brigade is
composed of the 35th Wisconsin, 20th and
23d Iowa, 37th Illinois, l6lst New York, and
96th Ohio infantary, and Massachusetts bat
tery. and is commanded by Col. Chas. Black,
of the 37th Illinois infantry. The Reserve
Corps is under the command of Brig. Gen.
VI. X. LAWYER, with headquarters at Memphis,
Tenn. The Brigade left here for New Or
leans, some days ago, except the S5th, which
still remains at this place, and the l6lst New
York, and 96th Ohio, which are stationed at
the mouth of the White RIVER. The Brig
ade left Brownsville, Arkansas, on the Both
day of November, and after two days
march arrived at this post, distance OF 20
miles eastward. u.
DuvalPs Bluff is a small village on the
west bank of White River, $50 miles from
its mouth, and is perfect model of thrift
and enterprise, and is professionally destined
20 be the leading city in the State from
the fact of its being on the line OF the Mem
phis & Little Rock railroad, and has constant
communication, all times OF the year, by boats
from the Lower Mississippi; an advantage
which is not afforded to the Capital of the
State, as the Arkansas River is not navigable
one third of the year, on account of Its great
width and shallOwness
d erhs, ia Iz commanded
Brig Gen. Shaler, and he is having it tho
roughly fortified by heavy line of outer
breastwoIks, and numerous small forts with
in, in each of which forts will be mounted six
heavy guns, some of which have already ar
rived Tie work on the Notifications is GO
ing on every day, and has been during the
entire winter, there having been no weather
so cold as 10 render IL uncomfortable to work.
The Thirty-ffth is also doing heavy picket
duty on the west of the village, their line be-
ing about a mile in length, and the only point
from which an attack is expected, if at all.
The rebels and bushwhackers in the Rack
eDsack country are very demure at present.
During the summer and fall of the year, while
their corn and sweet potatoes last, they are
all active in providing about the country, rob-
bling, numbering, and shooting our pickets
but when winter sets in, they stack their
arms and bring their plumber and produce
| into our camps and sell them for greenbacks,
and with the money buy enough of salt, tea,
coffee, clothing, &C., to last them through the
coming summers campaign. One of those
/ bushwhacker will shoot man on picket one
night. and early the next morning will sell a
! peck of sweet potatoes to the brother
1 of the murdered man. Thus. things have
been running for, the. past six months
I until Mai Gen REYNOLDS assumed command
of the Arkansas Department; and the first
among his many praisewOrthy acts, was te
1 effectuallg close the lines and exclude all
outsiders and include all within. Gen. Rey
nolds il, q great joker-though his jokes are
rather severe on the rebels, and the derelicti
of our own army. Soon after he assumed
command he issued an order that Commissa
ries should not sell rations to citizens. Ii
order 20 ascertain whether his orders were
observed or not, he attired himself in the
habiliments of Raekensack, and wendeC
his way to the office of the Commissariat, il
| Little Rock He soon made bargain will
that functionary for large bill of rations, fo
which he promptly paid over the money, anC
when the Commissary asked him where b,
would have the goods sent, the General tolt
him to send them to Geaeral Reynolds Head
I QuGtersi The officer being much astoun
ded at the idea of seeding cOntraband good
to the Generals headquarters, was relieved
from his embarrassment by the General, VIII
also relieved him of beautiful pair OF stat
officers shoulder strapsi On another occa
sion he had learned that a wealthy lady liv
ing in town wished pass TO go outside tn
lines. Thither the General quickly repaired
in citizens attire, and informed the lady tina