The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1883-03-08

ka and Missouri. from July 18th, 1863 to February
18th, 1854, when had the exquisite pleasure of
joining my Regiment, and more especially of meet
ing my old friends and associates. who actually be-
longed to my Company, and on the 18th of Februa-
ry, 1864, assigned to duty as Captain of Compa-
ny X, l4th Kansas Volunteers, which Company, |
think, will compare with any in the Regiment. in
ability. military discipline and harmony of feeling
I So much for my company. I will say l am not
ashamed, bu, feel honorcd by having been their
1 Captain.
/ On February %, our Regiment was ordered to
Ozark, Franklin County, Ark, to establish a mill
try post, under the command of Major J. G. Brown.
We arrived at our destination safely, February
| % We remained at our post. with little in
( terruption, until March a3d, when We were ordered
to strike tents, and march for Red River, Texas,
under the command of Major Finn Hill. who was
| splendid officer. We marched down the north side
of the Arkansas River Ivy's Ford; We forded the
river and marched on, through rain and muddy
roads. On the night of March 9th. we joined
Lieut. Col. J. O. Brown; Lieut.. Rckerbaugh, Co H.
pany I, of our Regiment, with section of Noun
tain HOwitzer Battery, who had been ordered by
way of Fort Smith also. the 9th Kansas Cavalry,
and LIST and 81 Arkansas Infantry. After three
days and one nights hard marching. over heavy
roads, We bad the pleasure of joining Gen Thayer,
at Danville, Ark After resting over night pro-
eeedcd on our way rejoicing. over mountains and
through valleys, unsurpassed by the Alleghenies
the Cumberland, or. perhaps, the famous Shenan-
doah valley. We travelled over those heavy roads,
with little 10 excite dispe the gloom which nat
urally forced itScf in midst, until April Sth,
when arrived at a spring where the Inhabitants
suid they could boil eggs it flowed out from
among the rocks This place is called Hot Springs.
by. The inhabitants were permitted to look out
and the glorions Stars and Stripes floating TO
the breeze. The place has, since the war, immortal
ized it-elf as great resort for invalids.
Nothing Of interest occurred until the morn
ing Of the 10th. when we arrived at Spoouvill-,
where Witnessed the first battle-fe of the
pasu, namely, the battle o: Spoonve; and from
there To the Little Missouri River, a distance of
thirteen miles, plain to he the traces of
battle On April llth, had the pleasure of cross
ing the Little Missouri River, on our Yankee pom
tOOns After crossing, travelled over four miles
Of corduroy bridge, made by our pioneers, at which
time We came up to the command Of Major-ien.
Steele. and made preparations to make the Rebels
smell hell. shell and grape, what is called Prairie
Damn. Pap Price. thinking the Yanks too many.
took the hint. and rcireated, after few hours
firing into his fortiicatons On the evening Of the
l2h we crossed Prairie Damn. and on the morning
of the 18th. Regiment being in the rear and not
having struck Camp Rebold. Pap Price comes forth
and attacks Regiment. it being in the rear; but
the gallant ith rePuscd every attack, and kept the
Rebels at bay until reinforcements arrived, when
we drove the cuemy their holes again In behalf
of the Officers and men of the Iith would just say
il would hc doing injustice 10 speak of any in
higher terms than anothsr every trying
he foremost, and make himself most conspicuous.
The Regiment in general received great praise from
Gen. Thayer. for its deeds of vaor.
Aiter coInpletely whipping and routing the enc
my, resumed our march through those and
tamcrack swamps YOU read of being so numerous
in the South and overlook the rear Of Gen. Stecles
command at daylight next morning. After making
u halt of u few hours We continued march to
Camden with littl" interruption. distance of
sixty-fve miles. We arrived AZ the above named
place the 6th day of April, and the following
day, Col Williams LIST Kansas Colored Infantry,
with Il detail of 500 men. IS Of whom were from
our Regiment, went fora gng. and the 18th,
Poison Springs. attacked by Price and all his
Ttbcllious hordcs, and desperate fight ensued. in
wiirh the boys of the liih said to have fought
with great bravery. We remained at Camden until
the cath, when received an order to destroy all
our camp and garrison egnipases, take three hard
march on the evening of the 26th. travelled all
night. and all the next day, without haltins That
night We rested: next day we travelled to Prince
ton. on way 10 Little Rock. at which place
learned that large Rebel forcc had left hut few
hours pre-, ious to our arrival We rested there for
the night. on the following morning. broke
camp aud Travelled until about p M, of that day.
and were mcditating that were leaving the Srh-
els far in the rear: but thc silence that prrvalrd
was then broken hy I'll. sound Of artillery in the
rear. :nd it announced that Gen Soomons
Division was engaging heavy force Of the enemy,
under the command of the Rebel General, Kirby
Smith. At the time, the rain began falling in
torrents. and kept mp continual rain all night
Day davncd. next morning. only to hear the
timed of musketry. and see the Rebel hortes
coming forth from the timber in heavy column, and
on that day WAS fought Of the heaviest battles
ever tonight west of the Mississippi River. IN this
engagement. the lith had the honor Of being ON the
left flank. and whca.prrsssl hardest hy the enemy,
seemed to he most cheerful Company F. under the
command Of Capt. \. ]. Briggs. had the honor of
being Gen. Thaycr's escort on the whole trip. The
other Companies had been ordered to proceed i'm
mediately to Little Rock. When arriving at Little
Rock on the 81 day of May, 1864, had the pleas
ure Of once receiving the expected morsei, a
few hard tacks, ami some Lincoln coffee, the
Rebels term it. Persons having had expert
ence in soldering might think this dry living; but
you may assured We relished il more than you
would relish the greatest luyuries at n frstclass
hotel.
After resting until May eth, We resumed our march
fer Fort Smith. over mountains. through valleys,
swimming the then swollen streams. al Of which
were calculated to weary the soldier, but not muir
cnnlG be heard in the ranks of the 18th: bet all
were slecful aud ready at any time TO the
contest. if opportunity should afford After nine
days heavy marching. arrived at Fort Smith,
Ark. Having marched $50 miles in fifty-three days
through the worst OF weather. over the worst Of
roads. and under tho mos; trying circumstances
wcre ready to enjoy, for a while, the monOtony
Of camp life. From thence to the LIST Of July, moth
ing of importance occurred to mark the history of
our brave boys Bat about the Ist Of July, scout
ing party. under tha command Of Capt. BiNhy, WAS
sent to Ozark, and while resting in the shade.
attacked by a band Of Gucrrillas defeating them,
after brisk skirmish. and came in with the loss of
but four men. Everything quiet around Fort
Smith until the 2sth Of July. when large hand of
Rebels. under the command of Gen. Gains. from
Texas, made their appearance. After committing
several deprcda;ions around the post and immed
ate vicinity, annoying a;d killing Of pick
cts they crossed the Arkansas River, above Fort
Gibson On the morning of the ssth of July. about
daylight. the aforesaid Gen. Gains attacked the
camp of the 9Th Kansas Cavalry. they being camped
about two miles distant from GU. camp: but upon
hearing the crash of musketry, proceeded TO
their assistance. under the command of Maj. vii
let's. But the Rebels observing advance. took
scare, and fed arriving m time to attack their
rear, capture a few sirasglers, and exchange few
shots. They killed and captured many of the gal
liant 9th. This happened the Mizlri Prairie.
about six miles south of Fort Smith: and on the
3lst day of July. they attacked the post of Fort
Smith after which nothing occurred Of note, until
the e6;h day of September. when party Of forty six
men OF our Regiment, under the command of Capt.
B. +. Henry, sent foraging. and whilst gather
ing corn about thirteen miles south Of Fort Smith,
were attacked by band OF guerrillas, under the
command OF Fitz Williams noted Rebel His
command consisted Of forty white men and three
hundred Indians. After fighting them most gallant
~ for two hours, Capt. Henry was severely wound
ed through the right aud shoulder. and our gal
liant boys were compelled to retire, which they did
in good order. with the loss of thirteen killed, two
Of whom belonged TO my Company. to-wit: Sergeant