to which our Division A. J. Smith's-belonged. This Division afterward became the 13th Corps, and Gen. Sherman was placed in command of the second Corps.

Gen. McClernand soon after ordered the army to Arkansas Post. We now proceeded up the Mississippi with the fleet, arriving at the mouth of White river during the night of the 7th of January. We remained until the 9th, then started up White river. Upon reaching the cut-off, we crossed to the Arkansas, and passed up that river to within three miles of Arkansas Post, and tied up on the right bank at 10 o'clock A. M., Jan. 10th. The troops disembarked, with two days rations, and at 3 P. M. we started up the river. After marching an hour, we halted in a corn-field, and after partaking of a hasty supper, we resumed our march. In the meantime the gun-boats had opened a heavy fire on the rebel batteries, in the fort, which was continued for several hours without intermission. After passing the gun-boats, that lay in the bend of the river, just below, and in range of the rebel batteries, we entered a dense swamp. Night overtook us and then our march became difficult. Passing over logs, through mud and water, we halted at 9 P. M., in the rear of the rebel fort, and slept on our arms. The weather was cold, and being without blankets, and allowed no fires, we spent a very disagreeable night.

Sunday morning, Jan. 11th, our brigade was ordered to a position on the extreme left, within

sight of the fort, and a few hundred yards from the river. Here we remained until 11 o'clock A. M., when, with two other regiments of the brigade, we were ordered back to the center of the Division, in reserve. At half-past twelve, the batteries being in position, opened, with the gunboats, a terrific cannonading, which continued half an hour before the infantry became engaged. We were then ordered to the right to support Gen. Burbridge's brigade. Here we left our haversacks and blankets, and advanced in the direction of the fort. Upon reaching the edge of the woods, we were halted.

We were now within reach of the enemy's fire, and now and then a shell would come crashing through the timber. Before us was a large, open field; on the opposite side, the rebel fort; to our right, their entrenchments. Half-way across the field was the first line of our infantry, fiercely engaged. We had halted but a few minutes, when Gen. A. J. Smith ordered us to the right. We had proceeded but a short distance, when some of the troops in front were thrown into confusion. At that moment Maj. Hammond, of Gen. Sherman's staff, came riding up and gave the command, "48th Ohio, by the left flank, double-quick, march!" This put us in line of battle, facing the enemy. With a wild cheer, we started across the field, halting within twenty yards of the first line of battle, occupied at that point by the 23d Wisconsin.-We were halted and ordered to lie down, when we

were informed that Col. Parker had been wounded in the arm, and that Capt. Peterson, of Co. K, was in command of the Regiment.

We remained here about fifteen minutes, when we moved forward and relieved the 23d Wisconsin, who were out of ammunition. This brought us within one hundred yards of the fort, and a field battery, just outside. This battery, and also one of steel guns, on the inside of the fort, were soon silenced by our unerring fire. Our batteries, which had been brought up, soon exploded the enemy's magazines and caissons, which sent the fragments flying to every part of their works. The gun-boats, having disabled the two large siege guns, that commanded their approach, passed the fort, and poured broadside after broadside into the enemy's rear.

The long lines of our infantry that stretched away to the right, had advanced under a heavy fire from the enemy, to within a short distance of their entrenchments, and were preparing for a charge, when the rebels, at 20 minutes past 4 P. M., raised the white flag. With a loud cheer, we started on double-quick to the fort. Our Regiment was among the first to enter, and our flag was the second planted on the rebel fortifications. Three of our companies were commanded by First Sergeants. The Regiment lost two killed and thirteen wounded.

The army captured about 5,000 rebel prisoners and all their military supplies. That night, we

bivouacked on the battle-ground, and on the following day, after destroying the fortifications, we camped in the woods, a short distance below the fort.

Jan. 14th, the Regiment was ordered on board the "City of Alton," and one company on picket. It rained all day, and continued until midnight, when it turned to snow. The pickets suffered more from exposure that night, than at any other time during their entire service.

- Scheme Abandoned

Digging the Canal - Overflowed

-Pioneer Corps Promotions Arrival of General

Grant - New Camp — Milliken's Bend -- Change of Surgeons Paymaster Complimentary Order - Major Seventeenth Ohio Battery.

Moats

Military Board

E left Arkansas Post on the morning of Jan.

17th, and arrived at Napoleon at noon, where we remained Sunday, the 18th. During that night three of the Regiment deserted. The next day we started for Young's Point, situated opposite Vicksburg, where we arrived on the 21st.

Our trips on steamboats were very unhealthy, especially when confined any length of time, with so large a number as we had on the "City of Alton." The 48th was put on with the 108th Illinois, that had over 1,000 men, besides Col. Landrum's brigade headquarters, and all the horses and mules belonging to the two regiments. In pleasant weather the men could sleep comfortably almost anywhere, but during a rain or snow-storm the suffering from exposure was intense.

The army was compelled to live principally on crackers, as there were no accommodations whatever for cooking. Before leaving Arkansas Post the weather turned very cold, which, with the un