Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-03-10

light and bursting buds of promise,
and songs of happy birds, the pomp
and pride, and circumstances of war,
and the ruin and desolation it had
wrought. were all before US.
We were soon on the march, not
toward Petersburgh, but southwark
down the line of the Weldon railroad,
nothing of which now remained but
the grade. In the vicinity OF Jaretts
Station we turned of from the line
of the railroad. westward, and it then
became apparent that the 9th corps
was making a flank movement on the
south side railroad, while somthing
would be likely to transpire at the
front where the 9TH and 9th corps
were massed. Our line of march was
no" through a section of country that
seemed to have escaped the rayages of
either army, and we passed many fine
plantations, one in particular | remem-
Der, the large commodious dwelling
was situated on a gentle rise Of ground
and quito a distance back from the
highway, on each side Of the avenue
leading up to the house, were stately
trees that had sheltered many gen
Grafton Of happy children, back Of the
house were the negro quarters. seem
ingly deserted. An old man and his
aged consort were leaning on the gate,
wish an expression of WEAKNESS, sup
piiance and fear that would touch the
stoutest heart, and to the honor Of
our soldiers, they were neither dis
turbed nor insulted. AS we were
nearing stony creek, which is only a
short distance beyond this plantation,
the sharp crack Of musketry commenc-
ed to the right and in front Of US, in
creasing in yolumn as We advanced
toward the brow of the hill beyond
which was the valley Of Stony Greek.
We were drawn off in line of battle
Brigade after Brigade, on the brow of
the hill to the right and the left Of
the highway, in plain sight of the
skirmish which was going on in the
valley beyond Beyond the creek was
steep bluff, and here protected by
the forest small force of rebels were
posted to hinder our march, after a
delay of about half an hour we heard
a few quick voleys of musketry in
the rear Of the rebel force followed by
loud cheers the firing closed, and we
moved on across the stream, there in
the woods under guard were about
six hundred prisoners, portion of
our cavalry had been sent down the
stream a short distance to another
crossing and running up behind the
rebels unobserved had surprised and
captured every one of them, they did
not seem to be very sorry, and were
free to talk and laugh and make trades
of cornbread and tobacco, for hard
tack and salt pork.
On again through the timber and
low lands for many weary mile until
dusk, oar advance cavalry penetrating
as far as Dimviddie, G. II. and having
q brisk skirmish there with the enemy
we went into camp in the timber, that
is, rested on our arms, for we were in
the enemies country. and our blazing
camp fires lit up the dark pine woods
for miles around, making a stirring
pretty picture. I had just put my
cup of coffee on to boil, anticipating a
warm drink and a little rest, when my
name was called for the picket line,
and kicking over my coffee in disgust,
I fell in with the other unfortunates
We were marched out beyond tha
camp fires for some distance and dis
tributed along the edge of marsh
which seemed to extend partly around
our camps, in place, about six rods
distant from each other and behind
such sheltering trees or bushes as were
convenient, with direction to watch
closely, build no fires, and not to speak
above a whisper. There were no re-
liefs, and from eight clock until after
midnight we were watching and shiv-
ering in the Wintry winds. About
midnight. away back to our right, in
the direction of the I'd and 9th corps.
we saw two rockets go off through the
darkness in quick succession, and
shake out over the towering forests
their brilliant showers Of fire soon
after the officers Of the guard came
around and directed US to leave our
posts and fall in as quietly as possible.
We returned to the place where our