Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-10-19
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(Written for the ChTonielc.l
Army Sketches, No. z.
DEEDS OF DARKNESS.


spread It's grey and chilling mantle over
forest, field, and camp; closing every ave
nue. Of comfort out Of doors, drenching to
the skin all whom duty or necessity COM
pelled to expose themselves to its pitiless
peltings, and driving to their shelters, all
who were fortunate enough to possess any.
The military post Of HUMBOLDT, Ten
nessee, on this evenaul day, wasin hut
ter of excitement fer twOreasons: tlrst-
n telegram had been received during the
proceeding dav, announcing that rebel
force.of 8 600 men had moved fromBrowns-
ville--distant some 35 miles-to attack
Humboldt :" and second-the 18th Wis.
Vol. Inry, which had been holding the
post for a number Of months, had been re-
moved to Bolivar, leaving the place COM
parativeiy dcfenceless.e The 9TH Wis.
battery; Captain Maxon's company Of
Mounted Infantry;;" the sick of the 18th
Wis Infy, left behind with the regimental
camp when, the troops moved away on the
cars, and a. few half-armed loyal Tonnes
seeGns, composed the aEailableforce, a force
utterly inadequate to successfully cope
with the enemy, then hoarly looked for.
During the night following the receipt
ion of the telegram aforesaid, very strict
watch had been kept; the battery had
kept their horses harnessed all night, and
their guns and caissons in readiness for in
slant service; all The convaiescents deemed
able, were armed and directed to lay on
their arms; the mounted infantry" sad
died up at 3 clock in the morning, while
a chosen squad, well mounted and vigil
ant, watched the ferry where it was ex
Dccted the rebels would cross the Forked
Deer, or, as it was commonly called, the
Forbidden river. i.tss @
In anxious expectation the night passed
away, followed by the confortless day,
which introduces my story "a day, which
from expectation Of an Overwhelming at
tack and the certainty Of dismal drench-
ing for all who should venture outside of
tent or building, seemed almost endless,
spite of every plan devised to shorten or
cnliven its tedious passage. Aiu !.J
A few days before, a loyal Tennesseean
Captain Silence-witil twelve of his
recruits, had been betrayed into the hands
Of the guerrillas, who infested the neigh
borhood Of Humboldt, and it was feared
that they, might be foully dealt with, if
something was not done for their speedy
relief, as every loyal Tennesseean was
looked upon and treated as traitor by
the rebels, summary punishment being
dealt out to those in particular, who dared
10 take up arms for the flag of their faith
ers, and the government established and
glorificd by their blood and snfferings.
A few miles beyond the Forbidden river,
and some 81 from Humboldt, lived two
brothers, named respectively Robert and
Edward Taylor. These man were i'm
mensely wealthy, having extraordinarily
large plantations, great numbers Of slaves,
horses, cattle, &C., besides vast amounts
Of cotton and specie, stored up in out Of
the way. places, till opportunity should
warrant their removal !; all of which were
freely used in supporting and encouraging
the rowing bands of bushwhackers, cut
threats and scoundrels, self styled, 'Par-
tizan-rangers, but better known as 'guer-
rilias." ha
During this mis- cradle day, q council had
been held to devise ways and means for
the relief eff Captain Silence and his men,
and it had been decided that Captain Max
On Should make an ate mpt to. recapfure
Them if circums tauces world warrant it
{ not, to enGeaYar to seize tho brothers
Taylor, that they might be he Id as hosta-
res for the GOOD trea tment Of our captured
riends. Of course, this decision was kept
secret, SIS the people Of Humboldt were not
,ve~ friendly, and it was believed that
overal of them were spies for the s'uer-
illas, consequently especial care was u. yea
o prevent the suspicion even, of any IL
ended movement.
Hardly had the mounted infantry LAID
Town at night to enjoy in dreams change
# weather and indulge in visions of happy
ZONES. with smiling wives and merry
,hildren. ard the voice Of war hushei IN
me presence of white robed Peace, when
detail for forty men was sent round, rude
V breaking up those charming fancles,
With the stern prospective reality OF
ide in the dark, wet shirt, and an uh-
imely grave: none of which seem to pos
less a soothing effect upon the minds OF
nen suddenly recalled from dream land IN
his way. But military law permits no
lelav for dreaming. therefore the poor fel-
ows had to turn out, saddle their beasts,
grid on their armor, and go marching
long" down to the commissary' quar-
.crs, and get one days rations of hard
ack and sow.belly," that is, hard bread
and pork, preparatory to marching else
where a
About half past eight, the Captain start
I'd with his command at his heels, the
night as dark as clouds and rain could
make 1t, the road perfect quagmire from
the heavily falling rain, and every tree
in the forest weeping great showers OF
on their devoted heads, as 4
they slowly and silently rode along. On,
on, on, through woods, mud-hoies, and
creeks; in darkness, storm and cold over
bridges. bad roads, and deserted fields
with clothes, weapons, and 'steeds drenched
with the dreary deluge, following their
guide wherever he chose to lead them,
reckless of consequence, through Gadsden
and Bell's station, past Cherry Blulf, and
down to the floating bridge, and long
plank road, crossing the Forbidden, and
leading to Wilson's Mill, short distance
beyond a s
Before reaching the bridge, the command
halted and fed their horses from the corn
growing in neighboring, field, while the
Captain went to the nearest house 10 re-
Here he found two negroes,
Just from the mir aforesaid, who told mm
that Colonel Haywood was encamped with
500 cavalry about, mile from the mill and
half mile from the road, with two pick
guards stationed at the mill.
As this was the force that held Captain
S,nnn.,r ..an... L. nrn.,riatr Of attacking