The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-09-23


est notion of doing such thing
From tho iowa second Regiment.
CAMP LYoN, BIRD POINT, Mo.
Sept. IA, 1861.
EDITOR GATE Cry Owing to recent
illness l have not been able to apprise you
of our movements as | wished.
The brigade which marched from Iron
ton under Gen Prentiss is now camped at
this place and vicinity, having left Jack
son, Mo-, last Saturday and Sunday. We
reached here on Monday, and found but
two regiments left to defend the place.
and one of. them out scouting. During
the afternoon of that day our camp was
enlivened by the report of returning scouts
stating tia the enemy, with an advance
guard of some $500 men, were within a
few miles advancing upon US. They came
| within six or seven miles, when, probably
hearing Of the reinforcement of the place,
they beat hasty retreat.
Troops we're Immediately sent to rein
force Norfolk, six miles below, position
we have held for some time.
On Tuesday evening distant cannona-
ding was heard, which proved to be the
U. S. gun boat Conestoga peppering away
at masked battery below Norfolk, which
it slenced, and also at the rebel gun-boat
"Yankee,' which is reported to have been
sunk.
The Iowa ID, and 18th, 10th, 22d and
10Th Illinois regiments, together with
Bulls and part of Taylor's battery, also
two companies of cavalry, belonging to
sigers brigade, are at this point. In
Cairo are five regiments, including two or
three companies Of cavalry, and on the
Kentucky side are encamped the 18th,
10Th, aud oath Illinois and 7th Iowa, to-
gether with the Adams county dragons.
, Here they are busily engaged cutting away
the timber and greetings fort, to be called
Fort Holt, in honor of the illustrious pa
triot Of that State. Breastworks are also
r to be thrown up some two or three hun
G dred yards in length to protect it from
. land attacks.
A messenger came to headquarters yes
,e terday from Norfolk, informing us of III.
At appearance and retreat on the evenint
J. previous Of large body Of rebel infantr.
h and artillery, also of the presence Of
If accommodating party Of 500 cavalry.
d Yesterday company II, Of the Iowa I'd
d who had been out as pickets near Charles
X ton, brought in with them live ''contra
a band,' whom they found near~that place
1. and making his way to Cairo As fast
is possible. He tells plain, straightfor
f. ward story, which receives general ere
"a dence. He represents that ne is runnin
70 away from his master, who lives at Ne'
Madrid, and who has had him at work i
Pillows camp on the breastworks. H
OF saws Pillows force did not exceed 1000
Of nor Thonpson's..s 900. The former, b
ty says, had efficient troops, well equipped
e with large proportion OF cavalry, whll
the latter are raw recruits and armed wit
ct old fashioned rifles and shotguns. II
u further states that their camp at Ne
/ Madrid was broken up some ten days ag'
of at which time he was returned to his ma
IT, ter, and that they moved northward.-
las His story corresponds SO exactly with otf
= ers from that quarter that we haye lit
!; room to doubt its tru,hfulness, and 80 yo
Ter need not be surprised if we have coils
its ion around this vicinity yet. We hay
% heard from two or three sources this pla
- Of attack, which is Thompson to advan'
cd on Cairo, while Pillow will make simu
MS taneous movement on Birds Point. The
lp- are all around and about US, but we al
y only afraid they won't come.
- ~ The weather is pleasant, aud as the he,
or il not SO oppressive as when here befor
the boys enjoy better health.