The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-08-29

another except those OF the family, there alt
none more warm and lasting and true thar
those formed by the soldier, The association
leaves an impress that goes with Us and viii
remain in undiminished strength rs long u,
we live. Hence we OF the 4th Cavalry hav,
met here today and on this evening to %
back through the scenes of the late war ant
review in memory all its familiar events. Ou
record is history. We have helped to make
volume in the account of the late war ant
as we turn the pages of this record we helped
to make, we bring to our minds forgotten re
minicences as well as those that we most dis
.lnctly recollect. The object of having one
of your number recite this history is, that from
one person YOU will 20 over more ground and
get the facts arranged in better order than when
you all talk together in desutory way. This
duty has fallen upon me- and as could moi
be ubiquitous, not with ~, Is, e., &c, al tho
same time, many Of the incidents that are tC
be remembered did not fall within my per
sOnal knowledge, and doubtless many very
! important facts have never been reported t.
me, consequently feel the responsibility that
is upon me, feel it keenly, and ask your
indulgence.
We begin our history at the starting point
Camp Hunter, on this very ground whereon
we stand-in this city, Aug. y, 1861, Here
cluster our earliest recOllections Of the nov.
elites of camp life. From Oct 81, when our
numbers swclled with respectable proportions
till Nov. ! we remained here, and then went
to the fair grounds; Nov 4th we moved to
camp Dickcy; the Sth we were at camp Wal
lace; Nov Oh at camp Bowman; Nov, lltl,
camp James; Nov. II, camp Mccullough
Nov. 49, camp Belle Dickey, where we re
ccived our sabers; Nov 18th, camp Webb
Nov. 10th, camp Fanny McCullough; Nov.
OH, M, 10,
at Springfield, H.. remaining here till Dec.
dalia; Dec 9th, on the cars for Cairo, where
we arrived on the 9th. Here we found mud
water, scarcs by shots fired at random, and
numerous funny incidents which each will
remember. At Cairo we became Il part of the
army Of the Tennessee, organized by L. 5.
Grant. Company \. was detailed to Gen.
Grants headquarters, and company G. was
sent to the Big Muddy.
1862.
Jan. 10 we went on a villa expedition to
wards Columbus, Ky, and Co. G.. was sent to
protect n railroad. G. and l.. were sent to
Mound City. Feb I'd we embarked on trans
ports tor FIT Henry; Orderly Sergt. NJ a. w.
Wallace was drowned. Embarked east of
Cumberland and marched to Camp Haleck
on the 4th. On the 9th was the attack and
surrender of Fl. Henry. We pursued the
rebels and 90. |. lost a man who was killed
On the 18th, made "A reconnaissance towards
Fl. Donaldson; on the Sth Col Dckey in
command of detachment burned railroad
bridge on the Tennessee river, and captured
seven prisoners; on the 18th, with detach-
ment | made a reconnaissance to wards Don.
aldson and took two prisoners. On the 10Th
we moved with the army on Fl. Donaldson
with McClcrnand'S division. You all re-
member this movement. We took the tcle-
graph road. Col. Dickey placed me on q
high hill, where | could observe all the enc.
my's movements "Paducah Smith," as we
called him, self important, pompous fellow,
came riding on gallop up the hill and or
dered me away. told him that | should re
port to Grn. McClernand. On the 18Th we
slept out in the snow; we laid down on the
ground and in the morning heaven had pro.
vided a cover for US IN the way Of a beautiful
sheet of snow. On this day we attacked the
Fort. On the 14th we were at Randolph
FORCES; 18th we got under rebel lines and
had to move back; then most of US dIsmount-
ed and fought on foot. On the 10Th D2aaid
son surieHdered. We were among the first to
enter, and took charge of two companies of
Forests men. On the nth we went into
camp at Randolph FORCES and remained there
until the 9TH of March. While there we cap
turcd rebel Colonel and obtained some
plumber On the 9TH of March we moved to
Metal Landing, where we captured some
stacks of fodder. On the 9th, we started up
the Tennessee on a transport. On the 18th
went to Savannah, and what was left of the 1st
left for Pittsburg Landing. Those
who went to the latter place fell in with some
rebels, fought what we called BLACK jack
partly in the night. On the goth retreated
81 q, doe Il. ,
landing had fight with Forrest
and another skirmish at Pea Ridge On the |
cath, 1St battalion came to the landing. Apl .
lst, there was reconnaissance on Purdy. On
the 9Th another on the Hamburg road On
the 9th and 18th, came the jattie If Shiloh. .
Many sad memories cluster around this place
and there is many a heart that aches when
his name is spoken. The 4th cavalry were
here from early morn to early morn, and
many horrible incident they witnessed of
which the infantry can know only by con
lecture. As we were mounted we saw more
If the hOrrid details than could come under
he eye of those not thus privileged. The
It'll cavalry followed the enemy toward Cor.
nth, on the retreat. In this great battle the
It'll cavalry won the brightest hOnors. There
;ou cOntended with Forrest. The fight was
errifc. You had against you an officer
" nose TtUuIilltDl was tIut III u ave- man, u
soldier of the highest renOwn, yet you were
lndaunted and Forrest had to fall back
The 4th cavalry was next, Apl
I3th) at Bear Creek bridge, and on the 18th,
1t Pea Ridge Here we fought an! >kirmish.
ID day after day, now in one direction and
low in another. Who does not remember
he Russell house, or Easel house? There
vas scarcely day when we did not have 10
lislOdgc rebels from one or another ot these
louses. We could scarcely get our break
asts before having a morning tght. These
,klrmishes were morning appetizers to Us.
Ne remained here until the 2jth, when We
made a general move towards Purdy and
through Stantonville, showing the rebels out
If the way. On the 29th we made a general K
move. The 4th were sent rs scouts 10 the W.
& o. r. r. and Muddy creek TO turn bridges
Here an engine, tender and cars were cap
ured. The rebels coming thick, the engine
vas sent down among them. We took four |,