The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-06

the advance of the left wing of our army the
18th corps, had an engagement, which COM
menced the three days battle of Mill Creek.
Our forces charged their works, and took
them, but the rebels rallied, msssed their
forces and drove us back. My corps. l7th.)
was on the extreme right, about Is miles
from the scene of conflict. We received or
ders to move at a. m, ON the 18th, 10 rein
force the left, which we did, and arrived in
time to take part in the fighting on the 10th
and 21st.
My division 1.-THE lst) formed the extreme
right of the line of battle. Our line advanced
pretty briskly across a swamp. halt 9 mile
wide, eriving the rebels before us. and gained
the ridge on the other side where the enemy
had planted battery. We charged the bat
terry, captured one gun, two caisons, and
quite a number of horses. As we could not
get them across the swamp, We spiked the
gun, and cut the wheels Of the caisous, rend-
ering them useless. All of a sudden the cry
of cavalry" was raised. and on looking
around we found that they had fianked us on
the right, and trere bettoeen us and the sUaRp,
and rebel infantry, three lines deep, in our
front, and demanding our surrender! We
were in q rather tight place. and our only
hope was in getting back into the swamp
We accordingly charged the cavalry, and
sion in my life-men and horses mixed up in
one mass. don't know which were the
most frightened-us or the 'Johnnies." On
reaching the swamp, we re formed, ard the
rebels withdrew. The loss of my regiment
was two mel killed, twelve wounded, mostly
by cavalry cuts, and one officer and seyen
men missing, presumed to be prisoners, as
the next day in going over the field they
could not be- found. We found that we had
been within q half a mile of Gen, Johnston's
headquarters, and threatened to cut of their
retreat across the Neuse River. The rebels
left during the night, leaving their dead and
wounded in our hands. Gen. Schofeld en-.
tered Goldsboro while the fighting was going
on at Mill Creek.
On the Oath of March, we crossed the
Neuse river. and entered the city of Colds
boro. Here we found the largest part of
Scho6eld's army. As we were pretty well
worn out, we were very glad to hear that our
campaign was over, and that we would now
have some rest We were ragged in the ex
treme, and the eastern troops of Gen. Terry
eyed us critically. but were compelled, for all
our rags, to say that we were the most
healthy and cOntented crowd OF men they had
seen. We are now pleasantly camped in the
neighbOrhood of Goldsboro, but il is very
likely that movements going on near Rich
mond will influence our movements also, and
it is very likely that we will be after John
ston some of these fac mornings. Well, the
sooner the better, as we are all anxious to be
at home once more,
But, Colonel, as think that have writer
about enough for this time, | will close.
received your bundle of papers, and though
not of late date, they were dear to me a.
though they had been printed but yerterday
and | thank you very much for sending
| them.
Give my regards to the boys in the Office
| Lieut.. Jobe and sll friends.
i remain, as ever
Respectfully Yours,
JOHN III. IvERsoN.