The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-08-14
NO. 252.


were however a day after the fair, for the
battle Of Monroe had been fought that day,
the particulars of which you know full we'll
Only four companies of the Iowa Sd were
engaged in the fight t-Col. Smith, of the
Is III. commanding. He is gentleman
and with his own hands passed around mil
itary strengthening out Of ten quart pail,
to our wearied sogers. On the next morn.
ing saw plenty Of the 'sccesh' at distance
on horseback-on the borders Of the wood:
but upon scouting parties being sent to
their aid and comfort, they seeded in all
directions Of the compass. Left this place
about 2 o'clock, and were dumped off at
Charlton Creek. At this place we had the
pleasure Of gazing upon genuine sccess-
ionist, whe hsd been precipitatcly induced
to shuttle off his coil while attemptinp to
fire the bridge. He, with four Or five 9TH
ers Of the same stripe, were surprised in the
act of pouring tar and turpentine on the
timbers, by member Of the I'd Iowa regi
nent, company of which were stationed
there. The scamps rushed for the woods,
leaving their horses at the end Of the bridge.
The soldiers fred, wounding the aforesaid
individual, who retired behind log; he
plead hard for his life, throwing up his
hands and loudly protesting against any
thing like guilt in the affair, when one of
the boys suddenly cried "see the tar on his
fingers" at which an officer graspcd a gun
from one of the soldiers saying, "you hold
losing hands in this game, my chicken, TIL
learn you to burn bridges" and shot the
graceless wretch through the head, who i'm
mediatcly died without so much as saying
''herc goes" He had been school master
some Fl teen miles back from there, and
this was faithful illustration of the peda.
gosue abroad.
From this place came further west to
Brush Creek, where we found another
bridge burned; and here again we pitched
our tents and entered at once into active
operations. It required half of the compa-
ny for scntine's and pickets, together with
scouting parties every day which kept US
busy enough. Remained here eight days,
when orders came to pull up stakes, which
were pulled accordingly, and the next halt
ing post was Medicine Creek. More bridge
burning, woeful looking hole exactly in the
low fiat woods with plenty Of swamp, and
water very bad indeed; place in possession
OF mnsquitos who charged bayonets upon
US with plausible vigor, highly cred
table to the valor Of either Scott or Har.
dee
Did not stop in this place more than
twenty -four hours, but were brought up
here to the grand encampment where you
now find us. The location is far more
healthy, the grub better and dealt out in
ampler proportions, which, ration-a ally
speaking, makes the change rather agreea.
Ole than otherwise. A scouting party of
one hundred men detailed from different
companies have just returned bringing with
them about thirty rifles, shot guns &C., cap
tured in secession houses.
Capt. Sladden is away on business con.
nected with the rcgiment-probably gone
after cartridge boxes, &c. Iwould fain ne
gotiate furlough for two or three wears
myself but that am conscientiously intel
l'gent of the loss my mess would sustain
when soup making time should come
around, in which ceremony bear the rep
utat'on OF being particularly happy. For
the benefit of your lady acquaintanccs l
give synopsis of ingredients employed in
the manufacture Of soup en- millitaire, as
done in our squad. TO one sheet iron camp
kettle and pail of any kind of water that
Will boil easiest, without the use of too
much fuel. Into this drop chunk of
smoked bacon nearly about half the size of
well conducted side saddle, and let it boil
quickly over a slow fire, after due consid.
elation put in some of the long kind bro
ken into little short pieces; wait several
times, and put in some of the short kind
broken into little long pieces season reck-
lessIy and without regard to expense. Put
in all the salt there is handy, likewise all
the pepper you can borrow; by all means
let the sympathy of all the truck lying
around loose, such as ground coffee, soap,
candles, sweet oil, plug tobacco and bristol
brick, be plainly enlisted. 1t is not well to
go by the book in this business, but better
to seize indiscriminatcly upon anything in
the way of seasoning as likely to produce
an innovation, and give to the soup high
and moral tone. Stir vigorously, alter.
nately putting in every and anything which
your friends may suggest as bearing sea-
soning qualities, every now and then dip
out pailiul to let your squad pass their
Judgment uponit t; keep doing so until it is
pronounced finished, then take the kettle
of visilantly, anil if there is any of the
mixture remaining, deal out copiously.
For some reason the TINES does not
reach us regularly, the paper Of the Sd of
July coming only on day before yesterday.
We can hardly do without it here. Re-
ceived our havelocks yesterday, and all the
boys put them on last evening on battalion
drill. Bless the fair donors who still pos
sess corner in their hearts tor the "poor
sogers.' Yonrs high-privately,
DICK.
VERY GooD--One night last week a
gentleman accompanied by his wife, went
to see the everlasting "Seven Sisters" at