The National tribune., 1886-08-19
ON THE BLACKWATER.
A De.perate ssIrlsslsh a the Fotd.

To THE EDITOR: During the latter part of
1862 aud the early part of 1863 the regiment 1
served IN was stationed atI Suffolk, Va. We
were sent out scouting quite often in the direc-
ton Of the Blackwater River, narrow, dark
stream with high wooded banks on either side,
aud at all times somewhat difficult to cross,
and particularly so when the rebels camped on
the opposite side took q notion 70 keep Us back.
On December IL we received orders TO pre-
pare for a march with three days raiiOns We
were soon ready, aud marched out of Suffolk on
the Deserted House road, where we found the
other troops that were TO accompany us on our
expedition, numbering some GOO or 1000 men
with three batteries OF artillery, d and l., 4th
U. =, and the 4th Wis; also two regiments Of
cavalry, the Ist \. y. Mounted Rifles, Col.
Dodge, and llth Pa, Col Spear, all under COM
mand Of Maj-Gen. o. ;. Terry. After march
ing two or three miles We came up to the wag-
on train, which had been sent out the night
before under escort, and we found something
that was probably meant for pontOOn boats, but
large enough almost for barges-about I2x2S
feet, of heavy pine; sides about Is or 90 inches
wide, with two-inch plank for bottoms Then
we came TO the conclusion that we were to cross
the river
We passed through Windsor a little before
dark and went into camp for the night, ex-
peeting to get an early start and TO reach the
river and cross over about daylight.
When we arrived at the ford we found that
the rebels had been expecting us and our game
was blocked as far as a surprise was concerned.
Our force was here divided. Some were sent
up the river in the direction OF Xuni and the
rest went TO Joynor's Ford. After some hard
work, and more than likely some "cussing"
two poutOons Were got into the river, and three
companies OF the 18th Ind. were ordered TO re-
port TO Col. Dodge, OF the Mounted Rifles, for
the purpose of being mounted behind his men.
They were TO ford the river dismount and
charge the rebel works on the lett, while the
other troops were to cross over on the pOntOon
and charge from above. This proved failure,
as the horses were not accustomed to carrying
double, and further the rebels had Gu ltrces so
that they fell in such way as to completely
obstTuct the river
While this move was going OH the rebels were
getting ready for us. Our line OF battle was
formed in field, with the 9th Mass. on the
LEFT and one battery and the LIST n. y Mounted
Rifles and part Of the 18th Ind. While this
was being done the rebel sharpshooters were
doing some effective work, picking off several
men, the 9th Mass. losing q Captain, who ex-
posed himself in his eagerness to see the en-
envy.
Capt Gent took the three companies up the
stream short distance from where the boats
had been placed, and with bold dash made a
successful charge on the rebel rife-pits, captur-
ing Capt. Sykes and his force Of about 80 men.
Our loss was about 90 killed and wounded.
While we were forming our prisoners in line 10
move them across the river we received orders
TO at once return. We knew what this meant,
and lost no time in oboying. We had barely
got up the bank when boom boom came from
over the stream, and the way grape and canis-
ter, shot and shell came crashing through our
ranks was a caution. The rebel rciuforcements
had arrived from Petersburg III such numbers
that we>were in danger OF being captured. We
lost no time in getting out of tho way of their
guns, aud they made no attempt to follow us
M. We then marched toward Suffolk some 10
miles and went into camp for the night.
IL Was here the writer met with two misfor-
tunes. After stacking arms, making campiires
and getting supper, which consisted Of the usual
bill OF fare, with an additional dish of vans
procured from a farmhouse, no matter how. and
as they were plentiful, / thought it would be
nice TO put some in the sand under the hot
Goals of the campfire aud have them cooked
ready for breakfast This done, removed my
shoes and placed them near the fire to dry. I
then retired for the night to my bed, consisting
of fence-rais underneath and the heavens
above.
The night was cool at first, getting colder
towards morning; but with the thought of
having my breakfast already cooked / rested
well. In the morning, when came TO look for
my vans, | found some soldier had stolen a
march on me and had deliberately robbed me
OF my sweet potatoes just think OF it, boys
Did you ever hear Of such a thing before? |
then resolved TO get even with the man who so
wickodly wronged me, but / never have yet
had the chance; and as for my shoes found
they were burned TO a crisp, and the thought
OF marching 10 or II miles over slightly frozen
ground bareiooted was enough TO make one
wish he had never been born. did not how
ever. march far before / found my feet bleed
Ing from the numerous cnts made by the ground
and ice, and / proceeded 10 do them up in
numerous rags, strings, straps, etc. found
along the roadside. Ny feet soon got well, but
il was long time before | conld say good
word for the man who robbed metro. L.
LOWRY, 18th Ind, indianapolis, Ind.