Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-07
CAMP OF 29rH Wis. VoLs.,l
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Dec. 18th, 1864.

| AteyH'toft'
CAMP OF 10Th Wis. VoLs,l
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Dec. 18th, 1854.
Nessrs. Editors Since November sth, the
| date of nv last note, we have had the usual
amount of moving about, &C., but no great
| excitement.
Nov. 18th our regiment went on little
scout in Mississippi, where the detachment of
mounted infantry which accompanied US took
few rebs who were home on turlough, and
heard of a good place for more.
We received marching orders the 18th and
embarked the same day, but remained at the
mouth of White River, until next morning,
| when we steamed up for Duval's Bluff. We
laid over at St. Charles that night, and the
next day reached the Bluff. The 18th we
dsembarked, and went into camp, nearly
mile from the river, upon the same clearing
where the 35th had lately been encamped.
On the 10th we received orders for the
47th Indiana and goth Wisconsin to go to
Little Rock. The Railroad to that place is
"one-horse" concern, SO the 47th were all day
getting off, while we remained 10 enjoy
soaking rain that night, anG what was worse,
to strike tents and move our baggage to the
depot the next day while it was still raining.
We started as have seen men start with
balky team; half the regiment got into and
steep grade a mile or two from the depot,
switched off, and the locomotive returned
for the rest of the load. Finally, just before
dark, we made break for the woods, and
proceeded gery moderately across the prairie.
At Brownsville Station, we waited some
time for a train from Little Rock, which
proved to be freighted with the non-veterans
of the 9Th Wisconsin. The 35th was near
the village, but that was two miles away, and
we saw none of the boys.
At about o'clock we arriued in the SUI
burbs of Little Rock, and disembarking in
mud ankle deep, we wondered if at last the
29th was where the boys couldn't manage to
make a raise of bedroom" or cup of
coffee. Soon the report spread that the 9th
had Quarters and coffee" for us, but very
few believed, it being so unusual and unex-
pected proceeding for anybody to prepare
for us. However, we marched away, and
striking a gravely road, crossed the Arkan-
sas river upon pontoon bridge, and passing
through town, about two miles from the de-
pot, were met by the Major of the 9th, who
announced that the tents formerly occupied
by his regiment, were at our service, las
most of his men had log barracks) and the
cooks had coffee for us in the kitchen. "With
feelings too profound" &C., we took posses
sion of tents, drank our coffee, and slept to
dream of "Good Samaritans" dressed in
blue" with army regulation hats, feathers
! and all.
Next day it was still stormy, and General
Carr being absent, we could not get to the
camp ground assigned us. and we had to tres
pass upon their hospitality one entire day.
Saturday, the 10th, we got place assigned
for our use, and went into camp after fash
| ion, there being no poles, timber, fences or
| trees within four miles.
| Sunday was cold, but we had detail cut
ting timber for barracks, and suffice il to say,
every man was on duty almost every day
| while we were there. One day there was
''picket," the next "fatigue" the next to go
seven or eight miles away to tannery for
leather, and then perhaps camp guard.
November oath we returned to Duvalps
| Bluff, and Immediately embarked for Men,
phis. We arrived here the 28th, and went
| into camp two miles from the river, back of
town, near where Forrest came in last sum-
mer. Gen. Washburn caused wedge tents to
be furnished for our use while here, so we
have been comfortable through the late cold
snap, as well as the last twenty-four hours of
| rain. We get wood enough at present, ra-
tons as usual, and more sanitary stores than
we ever saw before since our regiment left
the State. That is not saying much, for we
have never been highly favored with those
| articles, so agreeable to the taste, and often,
| so necessary to the health of soldiers. We
have had several inspections" and prepared
for one, by Gen. Marcy, which hasn't yet
come off.
The troops composing this detachment
Of the 10th army corps" are now, by order
of Gen. Candy, known as "the Mississippi
Reserve Corps" Each brigade is a separate
and independent organization, and reports
direct to Gen. Candy. understand that the
| LIST brigade is composed of six regiments, viz
| 29th Wis, 47th Ind, 21st Iowa, 28th ILL.,, 29th
| Ill. and goth ILL.,, commanded by Gen. Lawler.
l Col. Slack has gone home with the nom
veterans of the 9Th, and Brigadiers take
command Of brigades
All kinds of reports are ahoat concerning
the duty we are to do, but we can rely upon
remaining near the Mississippi for some time,
unless, in an emergency, we go temporarily
to some other point. The general impression
is that we will have so much OF the river as
signed to each brigade, but nothing positive
| is known.
A few recruits came to the regiment last
week, but not enough to make the camp
ground crowded at all.
By the way, omitted to state that Co. az
went up the Arkansas river as guard for a
boat, destined for Fort Smith, and we have
seen nor heard nothing of them since Nov.
| l9th We all hope no bad luck has befallen
| the good fellows who compose the Lincoln
| Company and should curse Little Rock worse
than ever if it was the means of misfortune
/ to them.
The health of the regiment is good, and
our greatest anxiety at present is 10 hear
from Sherman. With Merry Christmas to
you and your readers, / remain,
| Yours truly, ScRIBUs.