Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-24

cold water expedition. The command
was given to Col. Bryant and consisted
of troops sufficient to form brigade,
whose object was to hold confederate
Chalmer's command in the vicinity of
{ fernando, Miss, while Greirson made
his famous raid. While on this cam
paign [ loaned Botkin one pound of
his own coffee (whi oh I had saved
from the wreck of the officers mess
chest) to be returned on demand with
100 per cent interest which is the only
case on record where a Banker was
sufficiently dosed with his own
medicine.
| Capt. Daniel Howell resigned while
we lay at Memphis and Botkin and
Langworthy of our Co., and II. P.
Bird of Go. F, were promoted, al
though Sergt. E. Ell. Putney was the
unanimous choice Of the Co. for End
Lieut., but when we got acquainted
with Bird we had no cause to regret
his advent amongst US. On to Vieks-
burg was all the cry and thither we
drifted landing at Youngs point camp
ing in the levees few days. Marched
to hard times landing, crossed to
Grand Gulf, followed up the army,
took up position in the Halls Ferry"
road and stuck to the enemy until the
surrender. When on the morning of
the 9th of July we marched to the
rear to see what Joe johnson wanted.
Boys, none of you there, will ever for
get the march from Vicksburgh to
Black river, or the meaness of the
enemy's putting carrion into every
well, spring, eistern or creek where a
drop Of water could be found. The
capture of Jackson and return to
Vicksburg like all of Sherman's I'M
dertakings occupied no more time than
was actually necessary. We COM
menced to admire the man for whom
the world has since cheered, and who
was from thence forward to lead us to
unheard Of victories. Our next move
was to Matches where the Guerrilla
Writ Adams fairly left us in stern
chase Of several days, he being mount
ed and we on foot While encamped
at Matches We Joined an expedition to
Trinity and Fort Beauregard, Louis
anna, which lasted about ten DAYS.
Christmas and the cold new year found
us still in Matches, but we had the
finest quarters we ever built, having
torn dewn the painted fence and build
lngs around the race track for that
purpose. Here the regiment re-enlist-
ed 6O9 veterans Go. 6 furnishing it's
quota. All voting to go on the meri-
dian expedition. From Matches to
Vicksburg where Uncle Billy was
splitting in his Est and getting ready
to drag the tail Of his coat across the
state Of Mississippi to see if any one
dare tread on it. Black river, Jack
son, Brandan and on to Enterprise,
from which point detachments were
sent in different directions to destroy
and when it came to that we could
destroy faster than any earthly power
could build. Daily diminishing or
fighting, we looked toward the north
in vain for the cavalry who never came
further than Guntown where they were
overwhelmed and returned to Memphis,
thereby compelling Sherman to return
to Vicksburg after doing irrepairable
damage to the enemy and teaching
his army improved methods Of
campaigning.
Arrived in Vicksburg all the Veter-
ans who returned from the expedition
just referred to were given 80 days
Through and we were sent to Madison,
Wisconsin, for that purpose. With
the necessary documents we here
parted company for our different homes
about the last of March 1864, after
close companionship of 2 years and 6
months.
When the 80 days had expired all
"came to the center" with as much
CAVITY and happiness to meet each
other again as We had parted 80 days
before to see our childhood compan-
ions, nor do l think we were man
short in Go. G by reason of that
months furlough. When at my
home in York state on the banks Of
Niagra river I was in Canada daily,
and being strongly urged to stay there.
/ refused Indignantly, for who would
help Harry Atkinson to forage for
the boys or who would draw rations
for them then if [ stayed away.
From camp Randall to Cairo, from
Cairo to Clifton, on Tenn, river, where |
army brogues carried us over
the mountains whose very foundations
were trembling under the laundering
of Shermans knocking at the gate
city of the south. New Hope church,
Ackworth, Big Shanty. Little Kenne-
saw, Big Kennesaw, Nick Jack
Greek, and few days of trench duty
while resting ourselves.
Chattahoochee TO Roswell factory
(where soon we captured 600 female
Operatives Crossing the Chatta-
ahoochee about the 10th of July,
moving around to the left charged
Coparol N1ahurnr division, and when we