The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-10-05
Army Correspondence.
CANp .Jrrprpann Sept 99d 196

SAAf JBFSkkSON, Sept. Ilu, lool
Mr.. EDITOR Permit me to make my bow to
the many readers of your excellent paper; and,
after my introduction, will endeavor te give
some particulars as to the gallant 7th and
other matters that may be of interest to
"friends ut home."
You have no doubt traced our course from
St. Louis to Jronton, thence via Fredericton,
Dallas, Jackson, Cape Girardeau to Cairo,
where we received orders to repair to Camp
Holt, (so named in honor OF Kentucky's most
noble son. situated on point Of land with the
Ohio river on our right the Mississippi in
front, and lakes, marshes and interminable
forests in our rear, with deep muddy creek
on our left. Thus surrounded it is a very
strong place. The main battery and fortiica-
tions are situated about equ-distant from Cairo
and Birds Point, and nearly due east from the
former. These three points, as now fortified,
form perfect Gibraltar in strength, with their
heavy guns pointing in every direction and
having cross range on the river for distance
of three miles. After We took possession Of
the place We went to work to clear up the
underbrush for distance of 500 yards in our
rear. The ground is good one, above high
water, dry and sandy, with 3 beautiful shade;
but no water except from the river, which.
With ice furnished by Government, 10 good and
healthy. lat se
We were not long allowed to remain in our
nice camp. One week ugo yesterday we were
ordered to Camp Crittenden, situated on May
fields Greek, eight miles from Fort Holt and
about two miles from the Mississippi river. I
neither like the name nor the place, though it
is thought by military men to be a strong
point. From this point our scouts could fire.
quently see signs of the enemy, WHO were said
to be in heavy force at Columbus, twelve miles
distant. Alarms were common and all seemed
anxious for brush. On last Monday large
scouting party went out under Captains Par
rott, Black and Ried as they returned, when
within about one hslfmile of camp, they concluded
to ere, first by file and then by platoon, which
was executed in such spirited manner as to
cause q constant roar of 'musketry, sounding
much louder by being in the heavy timber
The whole brigade was instantly aroused, the
brave Colonel shouting "to arme, my by boys,
the work has commenced" in loud, clear
tone of voice that rang above the roar Of arms
through the entire camp. There was specsa
Gle glorious to behold as the drums beat the
"long roll" to see the boys throw down their
cooking arrangements (for 1t was near suppel
time) and fly TO tents, buckle on armor and
..,%~ To-, hat
VIC had no fight does not detract from the
bravery and courage Of any, for oil went to
work in good faith, believing that the fight had
commenced. We we're formed in line Of battle
and marched one-fourth mile before Q messcn
ger on horseback could convey intelligence Of
the facts to us; with the disappointing intell
gence that there was me fight" It would be
. poor time for the surgeon to hunt for sicl
men. At such time all are on their "pegs'
and of, except some chance one whe il sud
denly taken. A good joke happened to some
of that class on last Tuesday when we were
ordered back to this place, distance Of three
miles, holding Crittenden merely as an out post
but BY some Misunderstanding the news spread
that we were ordered to Fl. Holt and that the
enemy we're &c, 900 strong within short distance
Of a. The really siek, ,ame and lazy, with some q
the Price school Of sSddenaess, started in ad
vance, and, thinking We were going to Cairo o.
i Fort Holt. out travelled the advance guard and
passing this place went on to the latter, where
they learned that We had stopped Eve miles
helov at Camp Jefferson. They then had to re-