Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-09-13
From Company X.
CORRESPONDENCE OF tHe UAZkITE,
BROoKFIEIp. Mo-. Sent. B. 1ef

Correspondence Of the GAZETTE.
BLOOMFIELD, Mo-, Sept. s, 1861.
We arrived at our camp last night havin,
been absent nearly three weeks. We wer
four days on our march to the railroad, no
taking direct route, but following up tn
Seceshers." Our course was at first in
southeast direction, and finally east until W,
arrived at Bethel, where we were Joined BY
Col. Moore with portion of his command
At that time the rebels were at point nea
Philadelphia, in line towards Palmyra, cas-
bearing south. The Third Regiment with
portion Of the III. 10th, that were not effective
men, started from Bethel direct for the rail
road, thus preventing the rebels from pass
ing west and back into North Missouri, Will
Col. Moore with his men, the remainder O
the Illinois 10th and the artillery and cavalry
following them as fast as possible. The las
we heard from them was that they crossed
the railroad night before last, with Colone
Moore within cannon shot behind them. I
anything further has happened to them yo,
are better posted than we are.
We made the railroad at Shelbina, comins
into the town in one of the hardest storms
ever saw. The rain poured down in per
feet torrent, and strong trees were twisted
off in the woods by the wind as we passed
them. l wish to mention one of the fail
sides Of soldering: On Sunday afternoon
we arrived at Bethel. This is town scttlet
and owned by community of Germans, who
own their property in common. At the pub
lie house bread and beer had been sent ir
for the sick, and the soldiers were invited tc
take meals among the citizens. You may be
certain that after being only half fed three
weeks we were not slow to improve the op
portunity. We both took dinner and supper
with our hosts and at evening as we passed
along towards our camp we were greeted
with "Good evening Have you been sup
peri" We found more hospitality in this
little industrious German town than in all
we have met with since we have left Cedar
Falls. Of the extent of our hospitality you
may judge when say we were encamped
that night to the number of three thousand,
all well fed with nice white bread, excellent
butter, cool milk, meats, preserves, and for
fruit, tomatoes, apples and peaches. 1t was
right-down heartfelt hospitality. The sold
iers were quiet, orderly, and even for once
the Illinois 10th ceased to pilfer. Fruit trees
were bending with their nearly ripe burdens
unmolested. am certain that the soldiers
will always remember Bethel, commonly
known as Dutch Town.
The result Of our expedition and our march
has been to drive the Secession force out of
Northern Missouri, and to stop the collecting
together of more troops for the rebel army
in that direction.
regret to record that upon our last days
march, Company A lost one man, Miles. He
with two others struggled on some four miles
ahead of the army, and Miles was shot and one
other was wounded. understand that two
others from Company G, who strayed off
the day before for watermelons, have not
been heard from since. 1t is dangerous bus
mess and presume this sad result OF such q
course will prove warning to others.
Upon arriving at our camp we found that
the balance Of our regiment was absent and
supposed to be At point near Paris. If so
they are at point not far from the course
that Col. Moore was driving the rebels
We found here large number of Home
Guards that had been collected in at this
point. They were occupying our tents and
what Of our baggage and cooking utensils,
that we found, were pretty badly mussed up.
The prospect is that We shall remain here but
a few days, but where We shall 60 next it is
impossible to inform you, perhaps, though,
st. Louis.
We have had some fun at the expense Of
the Home Guards. We heard one of the
Captains give the order AN you Captain
Hawks men fall in right-round here in two
rows, just like the 'reglars' do"
UDONOHO.
P. S.-As our troops were coming from
Snccilbina to this place, one Of the trains was
FREQ unon by small party, but this is an
every day occurrence. No one was hurt,
though eleven balls passed thiIc"nsh the car.