Year: 1862

The great battle of the Mississippi Val
ley IS now progressing. The events of a
few days will mould coming ages. Coniec.
ture is absurd when events are transpiripe
more important than any which the history
of nations has known. You will hear Of
every important fact by telegraph long be.
fore this letter will reach you. 1 shall con.
fine myself especially to Minnesota and her
men.


Yesterday there was general movement
on the left wing of the Grand Army. Long
lines of men stretched from our present en-
campments to point mile and half
nearer the enemy's entertainments. The
Minnesota Fourth and Fifth were both
commanded to the very front, and the Fifth
had severe engagement, in which the rep
utation of the State was fully sustained,
and the brave Mortimer stood up in the
battle for the old flag with the same cour
age as in the past. The officers of the reg
iment ell behaved gallantly, and met our
highest hopes. To many hearts that rejoice
there is sadded an ipexpressib!e sadness at
our losses.


When making the journey with the Fifth
we first became acquainted with Lieutenant
Oakes; we little thought that we should
assist so soon 10 his burial.


We often noticed bis gentlemanIy man
ner and tenderness toward his wife and
child while they were together on the boat.
We saw him here in health he went to
battle and the next time We met he Was in
the soldiers tent, awaiting a soldiers buri-
al. We were sad working at the rude box,
made with all the skill we could command
in the camp, sadder still preparing the re.
mains of our comrade for their rest. The
sounds of battle was our only requiem, as
we lay him to rest with Christian rites.
Our procession of sick and wounded soldiers
was to US solemn one, and we could not
help thinking of the widow and the father
less one far away. God pity them!
The ball which slew him entered his right
ear, while lying with his men on the ground
to screen themselves from shell and shot
from rebel battery. The same ball passed
through the thigh of a soldier by bis side.
His loss is deeply felt and lamented.


Private William Blackburn, Company
K, and Patrick Glenn, Company 1, were
killed. They were buried near the camp
and their graves will be marked.


Lieutenant Colonel Hubbard was struck
in the breast by spent ball and stunned;
though made quite faint by the accident he
remained on the field all day and all night,
and only left today after everything was
quiet along the lines.


Captain Eddy was slightly wounded by
buckshot, but is still on the field, though
it is late in the second night.


John T. Barry, Company A, was shot
through the cheek, but is walking about
and wants to go back to The lines.


E. A. Dard, Company A, was shot
through the wrist.


Pulaski Miller, Company A, was slight.
ly wounded in the hand by buckshot.
Alfred Jarvis, Company F, was shot
through the thigh by the same ball that
killed Lieutenant Oakes.


Antoine Charrett, wounded in the hand
slightly.


Several others made marvellous escapes.
One was scratched on the breast and fore.
head by piece of shell; another on the neck
by musket ball.


Many were overcome by beat and borne
helpless to camp, but these are all reviving.


The heat was intense all day, and it has
been equally hot today. The men have
been ou5 in the field since yesterday mcrn-
ing, have thrown up intrenchments and BIZ
vouacked in the enemys presence.
The Fourth have not yet been engaged
but are ready and willing and perfectly
competent. From the Colonel to the weak
est man they feel confident of victory.


The Second seem to delight in danger,
and are never more cheerful than when ad-
vancing on the foe, as they are doing every
day. The First Battery is strong and will
ling, and in the advance. The Second Bat
terry is rapidly training in on the lines, and
as brave set of fellows as ever fred
gun. 1t is under General Rosecrans, and
has already been complimented by him for
its splendid appearance. Captain Hotch-
kiss and Lieutenants Woodbury. and Daw-
ley are just the men to keep their guns, and
wo be to the traitors who approach them.


Major BYckett's Cavalry will do any
thing they are sent to do. AS Minneso
tian rejoice at the standing our troops
have attained, and consider it noble mis-,
sion to bear to our sick and wounded the
States gratitude and greetings. have not
been with them in battle yet, but have tried
to minister in every way to do them good.