Weekly Gazette
Elgin, Illinois
March 5, 1862

From the Thirty-Sixth

We have been permitted to make the following extract from a private letter, written by 1st Lieut. George Sherman, of Co. "A."

CAMP OSAGE SPRING, Feb. 22d

Since I wrote to you from Lebanon, we have marched one hundred and fifty miles, and are now encamped 25 miles from the Mo. line, near Bentonville, Benton Co., Arkansas, and shall probably remain here about four weeks. We have cleaned Mo. of rebel troops without a pitched battle, and only a few rived 8 miles from Springfield about sundown, when Price, hearing of our force being greater than he expected, began his retreat, and sent a regiment out five miles to engage our advance, so as to gain time. At first it was supposed that Price was coming out to attack us, and we were ordered to strip our selves for a fight, which we did in short order; and though we had marched 25 miles, and was tired and hungry, when we heard the firing, every man forgot hunger and fatigue, and all seemed anxious for a fight= The firing soon ceased, and we encamped for the night. The next day our advance arrived in Springfield, three hours after Price's rear guard had left. Then began a chase which Price will not be likely to forget for some time, and which will be likely to prevent his ever coming back into the State again.- Our advance had several brushes with Price's rear guard. The most important one occurred on Sugar Creek. We killed 70 of his men and took 16 prisoners. Our loss was 15 men of the Mo. Cavalry, since which time, we have given up all hopes of catching him. It is supposed he has gone to Fort Smith, on the Arkansas River. Whether we shall go there or not, on one can tell. We were 8 miles from the last fight when it commenced, and could hear the cannonading distinctly.- We took a double quick, and kept the artillery horses on a trot for five miles, when the firing ceased, and we pitched our tents for the night. The 36th Regiment is called the best in the Western Department, and have the name of the flying Infantry. The boys all stood the march tip top. They are all well. We have been short of rations, but a train (wagon train) is expected in to-night and we shall be all right again.