Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-07-17
De
CIVIL. WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
duly IS, 1852.

July IS, 1852.
A body of Union troops. under Major
Miller Of the Second Wisconsin caval-
~. attacked a superior force of Con-
federates at a point eight miles beyond
Fayetteville, Arkansas. with such sud
den savageness that the Gonfederates
were defeated.
The Confederate iron clad ram Ar
kansas passed down the Yazoo river
into the Mississippi and landed under
the batteries at Vicksburg. passing
through and receiving the fire OF the
entire Union fleet of gunboats and
mortars. The ram returned the fire,
which did her no damage. She did
little harm to the feet, beyond kill
ing and wounding number Of men
on the gunboats. The. shot which
struck the ram in grea. number were
completely ineffective, cracking into
bits or bounding off into the water.
At about six o'clock in the evening
the entire Union fleet before vicks-
burg got under way, and while the
mortar boats attacked the land bat
teries the gunboats. In the hope of
sinking the Arkansa, poured their en-
tire heavy broadsides into her. but
without effect. The bombardment
lasted for an hour. when the fleet
dropped below the city and anchored
The town of Henderson, Kentucky,
was entered by band of Confederate
Irregulars who broke into the Soldiers
hospital, which had been vacated and
removed to Evansville. Indiana, rob
bing it of blankets, sheets and pillow
slips. Also, one embroidered bolster.
In consequence of the difficulty OF
securing small change, caused by the
premium on specie. postage stamps
were spoken of as a substitute.
Colonel Morgan with his band of ir-
regulars visited Midway, Kentucky. at
noon, tore up the railroad, and helped
himself to what he could use. In the
evening he visited Georgetown.
Meetings were held in number of
cities to inspire enlistment. In most
cases bounty was voted.
July IS, 1852.
General Halleck. on retiring from
the command of the Army of the Mis-
sissippi, issued an address to the
troops. expressing his high apprecia-
ton of the endurance. bravery, sol
dierly conduct, and patience they had
exhibited on all occasions during the
campaign.
The British schooner Agnes was
captured off Abaco Island by the U.
s. S. S. Huntsville, commanded by
Lieut.. Rogers.
John B. Clark of the Confederate
senate, having addressed a letter to
Inc war department OF the Confeder-
ate states. asking whether the par
tisan rangers" then active in great
numbers in every section of the war
ridden border, were to be considered
as belonging to the Confederate
army. and whether the Confederate
government would not claim for them
the same treatment as prisoners as
was exacted for prisoners of war; the
secretary of war replied that partisan
rangers were a part of the provisional
army of the states in rebellion. and
were subject to the regulations adopt
ed for it's government, and entitled to
the same protection as prisoners of
war.
William H. Aspinwall of New York
sent his check for $25. 29060, to the
war department. the sum representing
his personal share of the profit made
by the firm of Rowland and Aspinwall
On a contract for selling arms to the
government. The secretary of war
thanked Mr. Aspinwall, and eulogized
"the disinterested and patriotic spirit
Of a citizen who thus preferred the
public welfare to private gain"
No check had been received from
Mr.. Rowland up to the time of going
20 press.
July II, 1852.