Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-04-28

/ ceive quests with 1CdTDlth that even
Souhera hospitality could not exceed.
The next day was occupied in a con.
| fidential interchange of news between
trustiest officers. The issues seemed
to be: Shall we remain and fight them
if they come +? Shall we fall back so as
TO be supported by the main army or
shall we send, on the instant, for rein
| forcements
After a thorough review of the whole
matter, it was apparent that the main
bulk of the reinfOrcements which Gen
eral TAYLOR proposed sending, could not
possibly reach us by the ''full moon. "
Those already sup" were all that could
arrive for the present, and these out
numbered us but slightly. IT'S true,
they were of the regular fighting stock;
bloody, desperate and reckless; chiefly
Texans, and of the lowest character
But our men were brave, daring, self
reliant, with the blood of heroes cours-
ing in their veins. Again, it was evil
dent from the time selected for the
attack, together with the remark made
about Headquarters, that the rebels
we're only on n daring enterprise, with
ont any specific end save to surprise orr
camp and gain the credit of a wild and
successful exploit. In addition, we
were not adverse to little ''brush. -
II en-, too, land here comes In the sol
dier,) wasn't it worth risk? The honor
of success-the glory-the general
or1erl gold comrades, you know
how our hearts beatl and you do not
wonder that we resolved to stand our
ground and eight it out on that line. T"
Inspections passed, and in two days the
little command fairly shonein its bright
array.
For some several days, mysterious
scouts and squads of mounted men had
been observed moving about the eX-
treme lines of our encampment. From
their movements it was manifest they
were intent on securing all possible in
formation. If pressed they would in
variably disappear in the shadows of
the surrounding woods, through OBJ
scure paths known only TO old time
residents; but, when pursuit was aban
dOned, they would again appear, and
sean the slightest act with closest scru-
tiny. From this strange conduct, /
became assured the enemy proposed q
speedy assault, under the impression
that we were entirely unadvised as to
their strategy and would quietly remain
in camp, ready to be pOunced upon at
discretion. TO strengthen this convic-
ton, orders we're peremptOrily issued that
nothing should be done leading the
rebels 20 change their conclusions.
Meantime, however, it was discover
ed, that about n mile directly in front
of Our present position was another
large and deserted plantation. very SIM
liar in its extent and cOnfiguTatiOn to
that we occupied, and became satisfied
that here was the locality where the reb
els would organize Immediately previ-
GUS to an attack, providing always that
nothing occurred, inducing them
to believe that their designs and
intentions were already apprehended.
On the morning of the night which
was TO bring the ''full moon" our men
we're especially enjOined to move abOnt
IN the most careless and indifferent
manner. Early sunrise betrayed a few
rebel scouts still on the alert. Impa-
tiently waited. Noon came. In every
possible direction L threw ont my most
skillful scents. In few hours they re-
turned with the welcome news that
neither horse nor man were to be found.
Strengthened, by these reports, in my
original conviction that the scouts OBJ
served in the morning had fallen back
to their main column with the informa-
ton that we were entirely off our guard
prepared for active enterprise.
Just previous to the setting of the
sun, the bulk of our force were trans
ferTed through the swamp to the adj
vanced plantation already alluded TO.
As we emerged upon it the ground rose
to a fine elevation, thickly studded with
trees and underbrush. Here was formed
our main line most admirably concealed.
Four field-pieces-tW on each side of
the northumberland with grape
and canister) commanded the open
field through which the road ran, for
thousand yards or more, and the bulk
of our force lay In and about those trees,
IN close column, eager for the approach
ing enemy.
Before leaving our original camp the
cavalry were dismOunted, and, with a
few companies of infantry, backed by
a brace of loud mOuthed howitzers, were
thrown on the opposite side of the plan
tation in the same formation as the
main line held, thus occupying the
woods that circled the road as it emerg-
ed from the more southern and western
portion of the open grounds, thereby
almost directly fronting the main force,
though divided by the width of the
plantation. This body were strictly en-
joined to let the enemy pass without
firing a shot, at least till the ball open
ed through contact with our main
force. In order TO guard against every
contingency the men We're directed to
draw their loads alike from musket,
carbine and pistol, and to lie close I'M
der as perfect cover as nature or art
could devise.
The road through the plantation was
the only one on which any great body
of troops cOuld pass, and / knew it was
the one the rebels must advance upon.
Before leaving our old camp all had
pursued their ordinary avocations as
though no movement was projected.
Headquarters remained intact, and the
usual pickets stood to their customary
posts or went their ordinary rounds.
Thus appeared everything up to the 60
ing down of the sun, and when our men,
save the necessary pickets and camp
guard, fell in. they did so without spe-
cial command, and reached their new
positions without scarce an order or a
word
With forces disposed as 1 have pic
ture them upon the plantation We saw
the moon rise, round, red and full An
old veteran whispered that she had
''blOod in her eye" The hooking birds
sang loud and cheerily, but there seem
Ell "A nlaintive tome I'm their STRANGE and