The National tribune., 1898-03-17
HITTER MARMHDUKE.
A ed wis. s1sn,s Story of the Fight at Lake
Chicot

Chicot.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The 2d
Wis. Cav. led the advance on two important
occasions The first time was at the head OF
Gen. Sherman's army for four days when
driving Gen Johnston from the rear of Nicks-
burg Immediately following its surrender
The final windup of this trip and the sue
cess of it are well known to all of the many
thousands in conteSting for the possession of
Jackson, Miss.
Giving this passing notice, | will speak
more fully of the second adventure. This
Gen. Marmadukes defeated soldiers remem-
Der we'll to this day; yet they were fighters,
and gave up nothing until compelled to after
much hard scrapping.
Memory fails to name all Of the regiments
that took part, and those noticing this article
will readily recall it if they were there.
On June 3, 1864, a move was inaugurated
to try to put an end to the molesting of our
transports. which were being constantly fired
into by Marmaduke's forces (including bat
tery), that were located near Greenville, Miss.
Many boats were secured, and conveyed bri-
gade of infantry, battery, and some troops
of cavalry to the infested grounds.
Our regiment, the I'd Wis. Cav, was first
to unload, and was thrown out rs pickets
till the landing of all troops was effected
about a p. N. We were then ordered TO
recOnnoter
The rebel pickets were soon reached and
driven in. The skirmishing continued until
dark. The drizzling rain increased during
the night and continued through the follow
iag day; but in the early morning we were
engaged in skirmishing and steadily making
an advance.
Al 81 =,
many times we were compelled to diSmount
and work out on the flank, forming lines in
advancing.
Lake Chicot was reached in the afternoon;
there bold stand was determined on the
part of Marmaduke's men. Their first stop
was made at the approach of an open field,
behind heavy log fence. Our cavalry be-
ing dismounted, and using the timber for
protection, approached so near before they
were seen, that when the first volley opered
the Gathering on the log fence made more
music than the Johnnies desired They fell
back to second strong position, which our
men soon confronted. We charged across a
large field, but the dense weeds completely
hid the forms of our men while advancing,
the flags and staffs only being visible.
At the advance our cavalry was placed IN
a position where they could plainly watch
the line of infantry.
When almost reaching the woods on the
farther side, the air was rent with the open
ing up of Marmaduke's whole force of IN
fantry and artillery, located on high bank
just across large bayou. The field of weeds
was soon trimmed down TO stubble by the
continuous fire from both sides. The soft
ground was the only protection afforded to
our men ; into this they soon worked them
selves while lying flat.
Gems A. J. Smith and Mower, who were
in charge Of this expedition, were now most
actively engaged in pressing the firing OF the
1st Wis. battery and the work of the infantry.
The Johnnies were driven from the field
within half hours time, yet they could not
be overtaken. owing to the destruction of the
bridge over the bayou, which had to be re-
laid by our troops before we Could effect a
crossing elsae 80 t.r ei;
Our regiment was the first to cross, late in
the afternoon, and darkness came on while
we were trying to Overtake the rebels. We
returned after dark. The boats by this time
were located at the head of the lake, on the
river, and we were transported back to Vlcks-
burg. The Sth Wis. found the hottest place
in the charge, and suffered quite a loss. They
had returned from the Red River expedition,
and stopped to lend. as a hand while on their
way home for veteran furlough. In conversa-
tion with one of their members recently, he
remarked that "loose lead " was the thickest
he ever witnessed at this eugagement.-O. S.
SlssoN, Co B. I'd Wis Cav, West Salem,
Wis.