The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-10-02
Camp Correspondence.
CAMP CRIrrENDEN, KY, !
49,. Cont IA 1891

.
EDlroK COURIER Dear Sir /. Since last
wrote to you from Ironton, Mo-, we have
made some advances on "secesh." On the
9th of Aug. the Iowa Cd, and 9TH, the Ills.
18th, Eth, 18th, and oath Regiments took
up their line of march for Cape Giradeau,
distant about 20 miles. The road was a
very billy one On our march we passed
several beautiful groves of pine Undertook
few sccessionists, and let them 60 again.
the county seat Of Cape Girardeau county
On the 9th inst we boarded the steamer
Louisiana, and about dark arrived at Cairo,
after which we lay down to sleep, and next
morning we found ourselves on the "Ken-
tuck" side of the river, just at the mouth Of
the Ohio, and in full view Of Cairo and Birds
Point The Iowa I'd had left the day before
for Birds Point, where it still remains. !
should have stated that Buell's battery also
accompanied US from Tronton, all under the
command ofGen. Prcntiss.
The new post in Kentucky is called Fort
Holt. Here are four 32-pound cannon plant
ed to command the river. They look down
on the river with a most threatening frown,
and it is utterly impossible for any thing to
pass these batteries without leave. We re-
manned at Fl. Holt from the 10th to the 14th
of Sept; then the Iowa 7th, the Ills. nth,
commanded by Col. Ross, and 10th by Col.
Turchn, started down the river. Here we
saw some beech trees, the first since we left
'Hoosierdom,' nine years ago-some cypress,
and the largest poplar trees ever saw. Our
present camp is called Scamp Crittenden,'
in honor of the ex Senator. II is 10 miles
below Cairo, and about two miles from the
river, on TIE Kentucky side 1t is pleasant
ly located, on high ground, with wood ard
water in abundance, but 70 improvements,
except one dwelling house, an old saw mill,
and one small field of corn. In addition to
the three regiments, we have two pieces Of
Buell's battery, all under the command Of
Col. Ross, of the Ills 18th. It is said that
this place is to be fortified, in order to COM
mand an important road.
Our chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Clark, of Burling-
ton, was taken sick at Jackson and has gone
home. This we regret very much; his in
fuence for good was felt throughout the en-
tire camp. He held meetings with the Reg
iment on the Sabbath and frequently prayer
meetings through the week He is good
man. Rev. Mr. Glass, of OSkaloosa, also
takes great interes. in instructing the sol
d'ers in the things that pertain to their Eter-
nal peace.
The most Of our boys arc enjoying very
good health; some few are sick We used
the steamer S,coNoac for hospital while at
Fort Holt Our Col, G.auman) is loved and
respected by ALL Capt. Kittredge is kind
hearted ofIiccr--we all think great deal Of
him, and, in fact, ali our officers appear to
be well qualified for their post fast even
ing a general order forbid card playing in
camp. We were very glad Of this, and it is
TO be hoped that the degrading prietice viii
be stopped. But hold! here comes the Iowa
I'd, and we stop to shake hands. We find
all well. Capt Cloutman and his boys look
as well as ever. hope we shall now stay
together, for FIVE keep on down the Missis
sippi we will have to fight after while, un-
less the traitors back down more than we
think they will. will add that there is
a fixed determination on the part of our boys
to see the old flag floating in triumph where
ever we shall GO or die in the struggle. May
the God of battles be with US.
Yours respectfully, SETH SAMSON
Company f, 9TH Regt Iowa Vol.