Port Gibson Herald

FROM THE VOLUNTEERS.

We have received the following letter from Capt. Clark of the "Thomas Hinds Guards."

It seems that the letter was intended as a basis for us to write an article upon, but there are some of those facts to which we cannot do justice perhaps and we believe that the letter will be more acceptable to our readers, than any thing we might compose, so we give it entire:—Watch Tower, Camp of 2nd Mississippi Regiment, (rifles) on Battle Ground below New Orleans.

JANUARY 28, 1817.

H. M. Youngblood, Esq:

Dear Sir:—As no doubt much uneasiness prevails amongst the friends of the men in my company; owing to the sickness that has prevailed and the mortality in the Regiment. I deem it my duty to write you, and request you to publish a statement, which may relieve them from such misapprehensions, as usually are produced in such cases, from exaggerated rumors.

In our case, the facts are sufficiently afflicting, I have lost four men by death in my company since the 18th inst. Other companies have lost more—some less. The "Panola boys" have lost eleven—the Lowndes Company six—the Lauderdale Company six: and each of the others from two to six. No official report has yet been made of the loss in the whole Regiment; but you will find when the statement is published, that we have lost three times as many men at this camp, as the 1st Mississippi Regiment, lost in the battle at Monterey. The disease is however, now arrested, and there will be but few more victims.

My sick are all convalescent, I have but three yet under treatment, and they are pronounced out of danger. I had nineteen at the hospitals at one time. For the last ten days my time has been chiefly occupied in visiting the sick, at Dr. Stone's hospital, Dr. Luzenberg's. (the Marine hospital,) the Charity hospital and the Barracks. At all of which places, as well as the camp, I had sick men of my company at the same time. Thus, scattered for a space of seven miles you may suppose it was no small matter to visit them all each day.

We lost no one from Jefferson, except James Brazelton, who died at Dr. Stone's hospital on the 22nd inst., I saw him in the morning before his death, I thought that he was then dying: but he was cheerful and full of hope. His only anxiety seemed to be to get well enough to return to camp and go with us. He spoke of home and his parents with feeling; but with the resolution of a soldier. He was a brave and worthy young man; and is much regretted by all his comrades in arms.

Mr. Augustus H. Black, who died on the 20th inst., is also well known in Jefferson, although a citizen of Tensas, Louisiana, at the time he joined my company. He was a good soldier and much esteemed.

Benjamin Likins joined us at Natchez; he died on the 26th inst. He joined us an entire stranger, but soon acquired the respect and friendship of the men, and the good opinions of his officers.

The same may also justly be said, of Levi D. Clark, who joined us at Vicksburg, and died on the 19th inst. He was buried at the Cypress Grove Cemetery; the others at a private burial ground on the battle field below New Orleans. "Their remains were accompanied to the grave by the Company.

Those still confined by sickness are Samuel Martin, of Natchez, (fever but convalescent) Stephen S. Sutten, (inflammatory rheumatism, recovering) Capt. Wayne, (chills and fever. convalescent)

We are now on board the Transport, and I think we shall all now have good health."

Notwithstanding all the discouragements we have met with. The best feeling prevails in my Company. None look back—none express a desire to return. All are cheerful and enthusiastic. How could the "Thomas Hinds Guards" falter when in sight of the field on which the modern hero achieved victory and renown.

But I sat down to write you a plain matter of fact letter and in haste; you can mould the facts into an article for your paper for the benefit of the friends of the company

Very respectfully, &c.,

CHARLES CLARK,

Capt. Commanding (Co. B.)

Thomas Hinds Guards.

JANUARY 29.

P. S.—I left the Ship yesterday about 12 M. Samuel Raney was then in good health. He died last night, and will be buried to-day. We lose our best men—and on the battle field of others—not on our own.

C.