Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-14


Soon the bugle sounded the " Advance /"
again, and Forward I" was heard along the
line, when we raised the "yell" and crossed
the open field, driving the enemy from their
protection Of rails, and discovering that they
had abandoned one piece of artillery
We halted at fence after crossing the
field, for a few moments, and could see line
of rebel cavalry in our front, apparently pre-
pairing to charge US. 1t was a formidable
sight TO me, but | was soon relieved from sus-
pense for the Lieutenant commanding mount
ed the fence and shouted Forward and
we were soon advancing again. We went
with yell, and the rebel cavalry, instead of
charging Us, ran precipitately, and some OF
our cavalry, the 4th Indiana, after them, cap
turing few.
As we had them completely routed, our
battalion mounted again, and after chasing
about a while and capturing few more pris-
oners, we went to field near by and fed and
rested our jaded horses.
During the fight, Col. LaGrange, as l am
told is his custom, was up to and sometimes
in advance of the skirmish line, watching for
an opportunity to take any advantage which
circumstances might present, and after the
fight was over he came up to our young com
mander and, taking him by the hand, thanked
him for the splendid manner IN which he led
the battalion during the engagement, and al
so complimenting the other officers and men
for their conduct, saying he could not expect
better from veterans, for the wounded were
unaccompanied by any one as they returned
to the rear.
Company Z, commanded by 1t. Stillman,
were in the hottest of the fire and suffered
! most in wounded. Our loss did not exceed
six wounded and none killed. The rebel loss
we were unable to ascertain exactly, but they
acknowledged loss of four killed and thir-
teen wounded, while we learned of two being
browne while attempting to swim stream
near oy, aud we captured about forty prison
The other brigade had taken another road
and was not engaged, but came in just after
we had routed them.
That afternoon was spent in learning what
direction the main force had taken, and next
morning we started after them again, going
toward Princeton thinking we would entrap
them if they attempted to cross the Cumber
land. They did not do this, but started for
the interior of Kentucky, burning bridges in
their rear and trying as best they could to
prevent our following.
They burned one bridge which we could
not repair sufficiently to cross artillery on, so
that and the Sd brigade were left behind, and
our brigade followed alone. They took a
crcuitous route through Madisonville, Ash
beyburg, Hartford, Litchfeld, and crossed
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad near
Elizabethtown; but we were so close after
them all the time that they were unable to
do much damage. The weather was very
disagreeable all the time and some of the
time there was snow on the ground and very
cold, which caused us much suffering as some
of the BOYS froze their feet and hands. We
marched all of one night when it was so cold
Il. Il, ~ ts
without suffering severely from cold. We
picked up great many stragglers and COM
PEELED them to abandon all their artillery, ex-
cept one piece. After they left Elizabeth
town they scattered so badly and our horses
were so badly faded that it was not thought
worth while to pursue farther. They have gone
toward Burksville, and will probably recross
the Cumberland near there. There are 9th
er forces which will trouble him some and
possibly intercept him.
We are again on our way to the front, but
that is some distance off at present and we
will have to stop on the way to shoe our
horses again, so Will not reach there In two
or three weeks.
The news from all quarters is better than
we had dared to hope, making US feel cheer
full and as though the end was nearing.
We are now eager to reach the front and
help in chasing or capturing the remainder of
Hoods army.
At present the weather is milder and we
can march with some comfort.
Yours, h. b.
CAMP LOST RIVER, KY, Dec. 81, 1864.
MeSsrS Editors :-Presuming that any in
telligence of the movements of the First
Cavalry will be read with interest by all who
have friends in the regiment, / send you Il
list of casualties in the fight with the rebel
General Lyons forces at Hopkinsville, KY,
on the 10th inst.
After forced march from Russellville, we
struck their pickets in the vicinity of the
Western Lunatic Hospital, two and a half
} miles from the town. The night was very
dark, and the enemy was found strongly
posted on the hills at the right flank of that
institution. The Second brigade was formed
in line of battle, with the 18th Indiana bat
terry in position, on the Hospital grounds, and
both in front and rear of the building The
disposition of our forces was well made, and
Col. LaGrange, as he ever has, proved him.
self equal to the task before him. At day.
light, the enemy opened upon us with artil-
lery. Capt. Shipman's battalion-Cos. E, +,
G. and K-were dsmounted and thrown for
ward as skirmishers, and did about all of the
: fighting. The skirmishers charged and drove
| back the enemy's skirmish line upon their
line of battle, and this also from its strong
position into and through the town. The
! pursuit was so hot that the enemy was driven
J from one fine piece of artillery, which fell
into the hands of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry.
The new men behaved splendidly. Gen.
McCook and Col. LaGrange said in the pres
ence of the writer that veterans could not
. have done better" The pursuit of Lyons
forces, who had every advantage in being
! mounted on fresh horses, impressed from the
citizens also, being among friends and sympa-
thizers, was kept up as far as Elizabethtown,
when the order was received to march direct
to Nashville; and the brigade reached this
place last evening The health of the regi-
ment is very good considering the severe bit
! of campaigning it has gone through.
LIST OF CASUALTIES IN THE REGIMENT.
Company E-Wm. ii. Minnick, Kekoskee,
Dodge Co., Wis, gunshot in the left wrist,
comminuted fracture, severe but not danger
GUS Henry S. Burtch, Mayville, Dodge Co.,
gunshot in right thigh, flesh wound, slight.
James Higgs, Ogle Co., Ills, left hand con-
fused, slightly.
Company K-Jervis B. Miller, Sheboygan
Falls, gunshot in left arm, radius fractured,
severe but not dangerous.
Company FL. b. Ayers, Berlin, Wis,
gunshot right foot, severe but not dangerous.
Company M-Homer Marsh, of Kenosha,
Wis, accidentally shot himself in the breast
/ - I.oI. - Cox.x .,asn