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

secsssionists, and meanest bushwhack-
ers and cut-throats that joined the
different sides during the late unpleas-
antness.
Next day took cars for st. 10, Mo-,
and from there to Weston, Mo-, where
we found the 18th Mo-, Federal
Infantry, with whom we were soon on
the best of terms, they doing garrison
duty on one side of the town and we
on the other, nor was there an i'll word
spoken to each other during our stay
of several weeks, by the end of which
time we came to have poor opinion
of our patriotism in comparison with
theirs.
From now on our companys history
was the regiments and seldom were we
on detached duty except for days
picket duty. Orders came to cross
the Missouri river and march to
Leavanworth City and though glad to
move, we were sorry to lose our friends
Of the 18th Mo-, nor with one excep-
ton did we ever form the same attach
ment for any other regiment and that
exception was the 7th Kan's Cavalry.
Marched into Leavenworth City
some time in February where we were
quartered in different parts of the city
by company's.
Early in March we marched from
thence to Fort Scott, and though it
was said that we were going to meet
the enemy, the rate of travel would
seem to indicate that we were trying
to get away from him.
Our stay in Fort Scott was short as
We doubled on our track and keeping
to the northwest passed through the
Capitol of the State and went into
camp on the KaW river near Lawrence,
when if | am not mistaken we made
the acquaintance of the 7th Kansas
Cavalry or Jennison's Jayhawkers
as they liked to be called, and to this
day l don't know as there is man in
the 18th, Wis, that would feel offend
ed if mistaken for one of Jennison's
Jayhawkers. From Lawrence west to
Fort Riley where we stayed until the
news of the battle of Shiloh called us
nearer the scene of active Operations.
On our way in from Fort Riley to
Fort LeavenWorth we made one of the
longest days marches ever made by
infantry, something like 80 miles,
leaving our comrades of the 18th, Wis.
many miles in the rear. Steamers
from Fort Eavenworth to St. Louis,
Mo-, where many members or Go. G
witnessed prize fight between Bully
Pagan and Billy Love, in which the
latter was killed.
From St. Louis to Hickman, KY,
thence to Columbus from which place
we marched to Obion river, Tenn, and
repaired railroad crossing by construct
ing rough bridge. Here we drew
our first whiskey and quinine and i'm
proved our rations by the addition Of
supplies from the surrounding
country. We were not sorry
when ordered to march from this
sickly location to Union City, with
dis-union citizens where we had fine
healthy camping grounds for our short
stay, but about the first of July 1862,
took up our beds and moved to Hum
boldt, where we were destined to spend
most three months. In the mean time
Lieut.. Webb resigned, and promotions
that followed were pleasing to Botkin
and Langworthy. When Price and
Van Dorm made their attack upon
Corrinth the company attended the
regiment to the scene of action and in
few days we moved our household
goods from Humboldt to Bolivar,
from there to LaGrange, from which
latter place was organized the Recon
Nuisance to Lamar, Miss. Grant now
called upon us to help him reach the
rear of Vicksburg, vSa central, Miss.
and here may be said to have begun
our personal Acquaintance with him.
The history of that futile campaign
is to we'll known to need special men
ton, but the fact became more appar-
emit that foraging and jayhawking
could not be controlled by feeding men
on short ration orders. When Van
Dorm burned Holly Springs, and the
army was compelled to return back
through it. I stood guard the night
of our stay there, at Col. Bryant's
headquarters in the out skirts of city,
where the light of buildings burned in
revenge by our troops, cast plain shad-
doWs all around me. About midnight
a staff officer rode up and ordered me
to call up the Col. and tell him to beat
long roll, and call the roll every ten
minutes until day light. Boys, do
you remember how Frank Putney sat
on cracker box and called the roll.
while Bill Scott just as faithfully ans
wered, here, here, for all the names
called.
At Water Valley while under arrest
for foraging, l was placed on guard
over the Co.'s. wagon and as was
not allowed to forage off from the
enemy I did the next best thing r
could and stripped the COPS kitchen
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