Editor Belleville Advocate,
Several weeks have elapsed since the great battle at Pittsburg Landing,
and the evacuation of Yorktown. During this time the two armies have
been moving one toward Richmond the other toward Corinth. For several
days the people all over the country, both North and South, have been
kept in a state of painful suspense, thinking when they perused one
Daily and found it not, that the next number certainly would contain a
rumor, at least, of a battle. Thinking that, perhaps a few lines from a
member of the old 9th might serve to quench their raging thirst for
news, I have volunteered my weak services. I shall not be able to
impart any very important news, for if I was in possession of it I am
not at liberty to reveal every item; but as St. Clair county is more
largely represented in our regiment than any other in the service, and
believing that we have not disgraced the cause, we think perhaps a few
words about the regiment will be interesting to many. The 9th was the
third that was formed in the State for the present war. Our Colonel,
during the three months service, was E. A. Paine, he also formed the
regiment anew for the three year service, and had command about one
month, when he was promoted to Brigadier General. The Lieut. Col. Aug.
Mersy, of your city, was then permitted to let the eagle rest upon his
shoulder, and has since had commend of the regiment. To mention that we
have been in battle is not necessary for you all very well know that,
but I do not believe that the people of old St. Clair justly appreciate
the services of the old 9th, of the honor she has conferred upon their
county. Other regiments have been lauded to the skies by the papers;
this we do not desire, or, like them we would employ a reporter, and
keep him for the purpose; we only ask not to be entirely ignored.
I will give you the figures of our loss in the two great battles, Fort
Donelson and Pittsburg Landing, and then you can judge whether we have
not stood up manfully for our country. At Donelson we had only eight
companies engaged, one was guarding a battery, and was not engaged, the
other was at Paducah, Ky., as Provost Guard; the eight companies
numbering about 610 men that went onto action, and the loss was, in
killed, 36; wounded, 166, since died from wounds, 5. The number of
commissioned officers engaged was 25, killed none; wounded 5. At
Pittsburg, about 575 were engaged, 61 were killed, 287 wounded, since
died 11; missing 5. Commanding officers engaged, 27, killed 1; missing
1; wounded 18. Total both battles in killed, is 114; wounded 476; missing
6. When you look over the different records, and consider the fact
that we never had over 975 men for duty at any one time, you will see
that no regiment in the service has suffered such loss in killed and
wounded, and so few missing. Many of the regiments that report such
heavy loss, are missing, and are in the hands of the enemy. In making
our report we report that all that have been injured in battle; numbers
of these are soon able for duty again or else my figures would not
agree; but the above is as correct as near as I can get it fro the
records up to this time. The old regiment looks small now, and not
officers enough for one to the company, but notwithstanding this we are
now in line with our fellow soldiers ready to do battle again. We are
now three miles from Corinth. The past few days has revealed to us more
of the plans of our commanding General. We now believe that we are
going to besiege the rebels, and in fact have already begun. We built
our first parallel of fortifications last Saturday. On Wednesday we
advance, forced back three outposts, took possession of an extensive
ridge, and in four hours had splendid breastworks completed. To day we
have sent out a strong party with axes, also another with, also another
with guns to clear the way to the next ridge, where we wish to erect our
next parallel. –
Both parties are busy, for we can hear the continual crack of our Enfield and sharpshooters rifles, as they force the rebels to place
their picket line a little nearer home. Gen. Halleck passes along the
entire line nearly every day, he seems satisfied and confident of
victory. We have great confidence in his ability, every move seems to
be right and the army is no more a mob but an organized body; everything
works like machinery. The people will not long be kept waiting,
something will be done before many days elapse, and you may be certain
we will not this time, be surprised. We are up at 4 o’clock every
morning, in line of battle ready for an attack, so is the entire army
here, by order of Gen. Halleck.
Deserters arrive daily, and report a large force at Corinth, but
dissatisfaction. All right, I wish all were here that are coming so
that we can finish the matter up at a single blow. I will say no more
till after the battle.
L. Webb, Cap’t Co. F. 9th Reg’t Ill. Vol.
P. S. Corporal J. A. Fike, wishes to inform his numerous friends in St.
Clair county and vicinity, through the columns of your paper, that he
has suffered severely for the last five days with the tooth-ache.
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