142                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

battle-ground that we had fought over but a short time before. The next day we moved to Clinton, where we still remain.

           Since leaving Vicksburg we have been detached from our old Division, and are now under the command of General McArthur, for the time being; but we hope soon to go back and join our old Division, commanded by the inveterate Logan.

           We arrived at Clinton on the evening of the 14th, and the next morning all the troops moved out with the exception of our regiment, which remained to occupy the place. As a matter of course, we had a great deal of duty to perform, being the only regiment in the place. Colonel Wiles being commander of the post, all persons who wanted passes had to come to him. He was kept busy all day, issuing passes to persons who claimed to be wanting to go to Vicksburg, and various other places, on very important business. But their main object was soon found out to be to convey intelligence to a cavalry force who were moving around here, their object supposed to be to attack Sherman's train that was moving on its way out from Black river, loaded with ammunition and rations.

           On the evening of the 15th, Colonel Wiles received a dispatch from General Sherman, stating that a rebel cavalry force was approaching, and for him to be on the alert. The Colonel immediately commenced preparing to meet them. He had the pickets reinforced, and ordered the men to have their "traps" ready, so they could be up and into line in a moment, should an attack be made. Those citizens had undoubtedly reported to them that only one regiment was left at the place, and they thought they had us sure. But about 10 o'clock that night, General Mathias' Brigade arrived from the front, it having been sent back to help us out of the scrape.

           Of course we were glad to meet them, but we were determined to do our best and hold the place if possible. The next morning a cavalryman came dashing down the road and told us to be ready, that they were coming in force. We were into line in short order, and moved up to the railroad, which we intended to occupy for breastworks. It was but a little while until skirmishing commenced between our pickets and the "rebs." But for some reason they took care not to advance too close, although none but our regiment was in position. No doubt they had heard of our reinforcements the night before, and thought it best not to advance any further, for they soon found out that we were ready to meet them.            The advance of the rebels – six in number – were captured by our pickets on their approach. They came upon our cavalry pickets before they were aware of their approach, and they had to fall back into the woods, and let the "rebs" come in. But when they got to our infantry pickets they were halted and told to surrender, and seeing our cavalry closing in behind them, they concluded they had to do it. Lieutenant Stewart, of Company E, had command of the pickets, and was highly complimented by Colonel Wiles for the way he discharged his duty during the engagement.

           The force of the rebels was estimated at fifteen hundred, and in the fracas they lost two men killed. Our loss was nothing; one of Company F had a piece taken off his

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