Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-05-05

anotner, our Teams sUfcklnY every Gay
in the mud-(mud Is no name for itl -,
On the 1ith we passed Fayetteville,
crossed Cape Fear river ut midnight -
We did not meet the rebels until the
19th,when the rebel cavalry drove in
our foragers. On the 10Th we COM
menced skirinlshing with the enemy at
Bentonville cross roads, and the fight
commenced in the afternoon i'm earnest.
Joe Johnston had here concentrated his
whole army. Our sllirnishers drove
the rebels (Hoke's Division), cleared
the road In our front, and opened com
municatien with the l4th Corps, which
was fighting about mile from us on
our left. Our men fought desperately
The 25th iowa lost heavy. On the 10th
at , O'clock, we charged the rebel skir-
mish line, captured their skirmish pits,
and drove the enemy into their main
works. The enemy cvinced so much
determination to regain them, that the
fighting became very sharp. The main
line was only 100 yards from the sllir-
mish pits, and the rcbs fred from the
works by volley. At three different
times they followed up the fire by vol
ley by an assault on the skirmishcrs,
their men swarmed over the works and
charged, but every charge was repulscd,
During the night, the rebs left as usual,
and at daylight, we followed to Benton
Vile. A few stragglcrs were picked up,
some of their dead and wounded found
near the roadside uncared for, and quite
a number Of small arms, liaversacks
and clothing found in their deserted
camp. The grave OF seventeen rebel
officers in our front Indicates that the
enemy suffered severely in killed and
woundcd. On the 23d we arrived near
the Ncusc river, where we remained to
cover the crossing Of our Corps train,
and on the 29th crossed NeuSa river, and
went into camp about ono, mile from
Goldsboro, where we are at present, "To
have rest and all the supplies that can
be brought from the rich granaries and
storchouses Of our magnificent coun-
try" as General Sherman expressed
himself, which means "to get ready as
quick as possible for new campaign.n y
We are in excellent health and ,spir-
its but very ragged. The 3lst Iowa is
guarding the Railroad bridge over the
NcusC river. .......-..
Daring the campaign just closed TIE
Brigade has been in four cngaGements,
with.thc following loss: Killed seven,
wounded siXty-iour, missing, twelve
We have captured ll5 prisoners of war;
In taking the city of Columbia we cap
turcd 10 pieces Of artillery, about 5000
stand of arms, and immense quantities
of ammunition and ordnance stores,
and released 10 officers confined there.
We have Travelled 4s5 miles, made l5,-
OBJ yards of corduroy road, Captain
Bob. Spcer can tell you what nice job
it Is, to build such roads,, and have de-
stroyCd three miles Of railroad; also
captured l3G horses, 2l2 mules, l25, 800
pounds bacon, 1850 bushels corn meal,
- barrels -four, 5000 bushels sweet po-
tatoes, 400 bushels corn, 100 pounds
coffee, and destroyed 500 bales Of cotton
at Columbia. ......
But Imust close, hoping that this Will
find you in the enjoyment of health and
prosperity, and thanking you for the
good will and friendship extended to
me and mine,
am, very truly yours,
... .r.. ..s HENRY &. RHOLEDER