The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-28

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other valuable articles. The latter battle lasted
about three days, the Indians attacked the ex-
peditionGh lnFke numbers, including theifbest
men. Ihebattle ground was In . very rough
region of country, the Indians fighting from
their own chosen positions, and terrible
scene 81 carnage ensued. The fight broke up
the alliance of the tribes of the Sioux who be-
came disbonded. .aU,r. y.
. Theregiment then proceeded westerly to the
Yellowstone river, which they crossed and
marched down that stream to its mouth
below Fort Union; there crossed the Missouri,
fording the stream, and then marched down to
Fort Rice, making raid on the way to the
Maison de Chen. The main part OF the regi-
ment proceeded thence to Fort Smelling, ar
irving in October, 1864. Here they found or
ders awaiting them to proceed to Nashville
Immediately. A detachment from each COM
pany. amounting in all 20 200 men, however,
had gone further west to relieve Capt. Fisk,
who had charge of an emigrant train for Idaho
and had been surrounded by Indians. After
escortinp the party to Fort Rice, this detach-
ment came east to Chicago, when it was de-
tanned on duty o week or ten days, including
the Presidential day. The main portion OF the
regiment left Fort Smelling on the 18th OF Oc-
tober and proceeded direct to Nashville and
thence to Murfreesboro, where they remained
I-r~ NJ. Av,syy
.g ..-. BATTLE OF ovEBALL's. CREEK. -
They were first permitted chance to make
their mark on the rebels at .Overalls Greek,
where they had lively brush, 'tphnting a
few of the rebs, but with little or no loss to
the Regiment. gi.-.-
4 THE BATTLE OF "THE CEDARs."
The Eighth Regiment bore . conspicuous
part in this battle, showing what they would
have done, had they been oftener called upon
to cross bayonets with the enemy.
The rebel General Forest, with large caval.
ry, artillery and infantry force, made his ap.
pearance ON the Mechanicsville Pike, near
Murfreesboro, on December 9Th. On the 7th,
the Eighth Regiment was sent, with other
regiments, to reconnoiter their position. An
artillery duel ensued, which developed the
enemys works, which seemed very strong.
General Milroy then made . circuitous move
ment to flank them, passing, while doing so,
over an open field, where the batteries Of the
enemy had full play upon them, but with no
casualties. a.a ERA
The left flank of the enemy being gained the
Eighth, supported on each side by other Re-
giments. advanced upon them under q hellish
fire. They were directed to lie down for q
few moments when an order was given to rise
and charge, which they did splendidly, break
ing the rebel line, capturing 26O prisoners, and
eight gums. The engagement lasted two hours.
The loss of the Eighth Regiment was severe.
Ont of SIS men, IA were killed, and rs wound.
ed. Lieut.. Col Rodgers was severely wound.
ed In the right arm and has never regained the
use of 1t. Col. Thomas acted as Brgadier Gen.
eral during the fight. The rebels numbered
1000, while the Union force was not more
.f FURTHER SERVICE. 80
The Eighth also had several skirmishes with
Forrest who commanded Hoods cavalry.
Subsequently besieged in Fortress Rosecrans
they had for three weeks the daily task of
going out of the works and fighting for the
slender supply of corn on which they sup
ported life. Relieved from this unpleasant
predicament. they Joined the 2sd corps on De-
cember 3oth at Columbia, Tenn, and from
that time on participated in its eventful his
tory, joining in the pursuit Of Hood IS far as
Orders were here received for ito transfer
ment, via Alexandria and Washington, to
Morehead, N. C. At the battle of Kinston,
with Bragg, it was engaged on important
guard duty. From that point, 1t proceeded to
Goldsboro', assisting in its capture and remain
ing until the arrival of Gen. shermans army,
marching with 1t to Rowley, where 1t remained
until Johnsons surrender. When Sherman's
army started thence for the North, the regi-
ment proceeded to Charlotte, N. c., where it
arrived on the 9Th Of May, and remained until
the 11th of July, when it was mustered ont of
service.
THE REGIMENT,
when first organized, numbered 800 men, sub
sequenuy it received 275 recruits, and now It
comes back with 653 men and twenty-eight
officers The following is their roster of off,
GERS:
Present Roster.
PIKLD AND STAFF.
Colonel-Minor T. Thomas (Br. Brig. GEN.
Lieut.. Colonel
Major-Ed. II. Folsom,
Adjutant-Lewis G. Paxson.
Surgeon-Irvine H. Thurston.
Assistant SurgeOn-Wm. 81. Rouse.
Chaplain-Laurent Armsby.
NOM COM1GISSIOND STAFF.
Sergeant Major-Richard Goodheart
Quartermaster's Sergeant-F.C G. Cutler (com.
missioncd Quartermaster.
COmmissary Sergeant-Geo. 8. Porter.
Hospital Stewsrd-F. A. Fogg. -
Musician-F. r RowelL .r-.
LINE OFFICERS. '.'
Compony A-Capt NJ O. Butterfeld; First
Lieut., N. Tibbitts; Sec,nd Lieut.. Nj. v. Bean.
Company B-Capt., Geo. f. Petit Second
Lieut. VIM. Shaw.
Company C-Capt, VIM. McKusick; First
Ynkn