OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE

CAMP PAINE, PADUCAH, KENTUCKY; September 18, 1861

Mr. Editor : - Several days have elapsed since I last reported to you, the reason being that those days have been fraught with too much business and interest to afford me the necessary time. – Since my last correspondence we have made a shift of our position.  I believe it was on the 5th inst. That we were ordered to prepare two days rations, and hold ourselves in readiness to march.  We naturally speculated somewhat as to the direction we were to take : the majority of us concluded that we were to go down to Hickman for the purpose of routing a battery that had been established there.  Our canteens and haversacks were filled, blankets rolled up and strapped to our backs, guns all in order, and everybody impatient for the word.  At 9 P.M. we proceeded to the levee and went aboard of [the] boat; after delaying some time we pushed from the shore, and to our astonishment, headed up the Ohio.  I then asked the Major if he would inform me of our destination, the answer was “Paducah.”  Enquiring (sic) the object of the expedition, I was told that 4,000 rebels were to occupy Paducah that night or in the morning, with a view of blockading the river, running all produce southward on the railroad and up the Tennessee river.  We were curious to know if our regiment alone was to attack 4000 rebels; but soon our eyes were greeted with the sight of two other boats containing the Illinois 12th. and a number one company of light artillery composed of four pieces, and in our front and rear were gunboats.  The whole fleet moved cautiously, owing to shallow water and the heavy draft of the gunboats.  On our arrival Col. Paine (since Brig. Gen. Paine), went ashore below the city with the right wing of our regiment, while the [rest] under the command of Maj. Philips, landed at the foot of Broadway.  The street was full of people, some pleased to see us, others with chopfallen countenances, while scores of them, whose guilty consciences doubtless pictured out,

“Two posts erectant,
A beam transcendant,
A rope pendant,
A rebel on the end on’t.”

were fleeing in the opposite direction, as the old Egyptian flees before the floods of the Nile: that old quotation came to my mind.  “Better run to your houses, fall upon your knees, pray the Gods to cease their wrath, pardon your iniquities and turn aside the sword of justice;” others perfectly frantic at the sight, were crying with joy : these latter were those who, but the day before had read to them their orders to leave the place in fort-eight hours.  One instance came to my knowledge of a Union man who was ordered to leave by 4 P.M. of that day, by a ranting rebel.  When we landed he immediately went to the secesh’s residence and found him making arrangements to take his departure.  He accosted him with “You ordered me to leave here to-day, now you leave forthwith or I’ll have you hung to the nearest tree,” and thereupon he did leave, not even stopping to take care of his traps.

Disappointment is the doom of all : so it was with us, for we found no army of rebels here, we therefore proceeded through the place to the depot. Seized 350 bbls. Of flour, a large quantity of bacon, coffee and other articles to the amount of several thousand dollars.  Five companies of us went out six miles and burned a railroad bridge to prevent their approach in that direction.  For two days and nights the people were continually leaving the place, until one half the houses were vacated.  We made search for guns and munitions of war through the city; found a few guns, and 14 kegs of powder; We have thrown up some earthworks here, and have lately been reinforced by several thousand men, and numerous batteries of cannon.  Rumors of our being attacked here are frequent.  Yesterday we were put in readiness for battle; the people left the city and fled to Illinois, and at 12 P.M. we formed in line and waited the approach of the expected foe, but no enemy appeared.  At Mayfield twenty-five miles distant, a rebel force is collecting and their actions indicate an intention of coming here.  They feel the loss of this point very keenly as it was a great depot, where they gathered together and shipped large quantities of stores south.  The opinion prevails that the authorities design assembling a strong force here, to act in concert with the forces at Cairo and Louisville in a general southward movement.

We have a rumor that our forces had an engagement at, and have taken Columbus, but it can hardly be credited.  Our gunboats engaged several batteries at that place the other day and silenced them without loss on our side.

I send you a copy of a paper published by our regiment at the office of the Paducah Herald, it having become too timid to make its appearance.  The Picket Guard is edited by a Captain of our regiment and a Lieutenant of the Chicago artillery.  A rumor is now current that the forces from Mayfield 20,000 strong are within fifteen miles of here.  If they should come and we have a fight you may expect to hear all about it. - L. W.