The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-07-23
Members Of Companies H and /
Gather in Annual Reunion
Sunday Afternoon
VETS RECALL OTHER DAYS
Splendid Record of Two Kenosha Com
panies in the War of the Rebellion
Told Again by the Survi-
vors of Great Struggle

The annual reunion of Co. I'll. and /.
80 Regt. Wis. Vol, was held at the
Hotel Eichelman Sunday. The follow
ing members being present, J. E. Drom,
julius Kidder and b. w. Sherwood Of
Chicago; Chas. Smith, Racine; James
NJ Eddy, Bristol; III. A. King, Pleasant
Prairie; Alfred H. Thompson, Rock
ford, H., Matthias Gales and Geo. Hale
Of Kenosha, eco. H. /" G. M. Slower,
Of Chicago; Fl. E. Benedict, Richmond,
H.; David Pierce, Bristol; s. B. Crop
ley, Pleasant Prairie, members Co. /.
All present enlisted from Kenosha Co.
Regrets were receive from several who
could not come. Following are some
Of the campaigns and battles partici
pated in by the 33th regiment and by
the "Boys" present at this reunion.
Gen. Grants first campaign against
Vicksburg, Miss, Nov. and Dec. 1862,
battle at Coldwater, Miss, April 10,
1868, siege of Vichsburg from May 10
to July4, 1868, battle at Jackson, Miss,
July IL to 16, 1863, Gen. Sherman S
Meridian expedition Feb. to Mar. 4,
1864, marching $40 miles in 20 days.
This was campaign of destruction
mixed in with considerable fighting and
skirmishing. Ell. and /. both had men
captured on this expedition and taken
to Andersonville prison. J. E. Drom
of H., was in the prison fourteen
months and the only one Of the boys
that lived to tell the story. March 8,
1864 the 33rd was ordered with the
command of Gen. A. J. Smith to join
the Inflated Red River expedition under
Gen. Banks, on the 18th arrived at
Simmsport, La, and were at once put
in motion for TT. DeRussy, capturing
THE Fort ON the 18th; thence to Alex
andria and from there to Grand Ecore,
ITO miles. above Alexandria, the con
federates falling Lack as Genl Banks
forces advanced until they reached
Sabine Cross roads. At this point the
confederates made a stand and ter
rife battle was fought resulting in the
defeat of the union forces. At that
time Gen. Banks ordered a retreat with
Gen. A. j. Smith S commands to cover
the rear. From that time until we
reached Alexandria, a distance of $50
miles, the confederates were on our
heels, never a halt was called until Col
Bailey of Delevan, Wis, built a dam
across the river raising the water over
the rapids so that the gunboats and
transport could be foated below. "Sav-
ing both," but not the "Cotton. -
This was afterwards called the fCotton
Expedition
Again we were put in motion for the
rear with EJohnny" close behind It
was then a skirmish and fight until
we reached the Mississippi river, where
we embarked May % and proceeded
up the river feeling as, "He that
fought and ran away would live to fight
another day." landing on the Oath at
Vicksburg. The regiment was soon
ordered to Memphis, Tenn, arriving
May 30, where the regiment was allow
time they were ordered to join Gen.
A. J. Smith s expedition to Tupalo,
Miss, where battle was fought July
IA, the BIRD losing forty-two in killed
and wounded. Returned to Memphis ar
irving July %. Aug. 3rd were again
put in motion arriving at st. Charles,
Ark, ON the 9th. Sept. 1st were NOV
ed to Duvalle, Ark, and on the 8th to-
BroWnville, Ark, where we remained
until the 18th. At this time we were
put in motion with Genl. Mower com
mand in pursuit Of Con. Genl. Price via.
Austin, Stony Point, Searay, Sulphur
Mo-, arriving at Cape Girardeau, Mo-,
Oct. 5. Having a ten days rations
marched 324 miles in nineteen days,
built two bridges Gone 375 feet long,
and forded four rivers. Embarked at
Cape Gerardeau, Oct. Z, moved up the
river to st. Louis, thence up the Mis-
souri, river to Jefferson City, thence by
rail to Lanline Bridge, terminus of the
Pacific R. F.. at that time, chen marched
to Warrensburg, Mo-, arriving Oct "a.
On Nov. the regiment was ordered
to ST. Louis as guard to body of
confederate prisoners, numbering about
700. Arriving on the 9th, embarked at
st. Louis, Nov % with orders to rein
force Gen. Thomas command at Nash
vile, Tenn, arrived Nov. 80 and took
position on the extreme right. Remained
there until Dec. IS, when the Union
forces attacked Genl. Hood in his en-
| trenchments.
In the afternoon of the same day the
33rd charged body Of the enemy on
& N xry1 I'LL