Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-02
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
* CAMP OF TME 11TH Iowa,
. LANDING. IHNN Anril %. 1862.

& 81 CAMP OF TINE 11rH Iowa, /
PIrfsSuno LANDING, TENN, April %, 1862.
DEAR JoURNAL:-Last winter, when we
read the reports ofthe condition Of the army
on the Potomac, many of us believed that it
vas particular point in the correspondents
to exaggerate rs to the real depth ofthe mud
on the sacred soil Of Virginia, but now, we, of
the army on the Tennessee. can fully appre-
ciate the causes which kept Gen. Mcclellan
so long idle" As for myself, am more
than ever impressed with the idea that 4
large 'mud-puddle" may govern the entire
movements Of large army. and l will ven
ture to say that no State in our Union can
furnish greater quantity or moro superb
quality than can the State of Tennessee at
this time. Indeed, we have seen little else
than rain since the battle, and our saturated
garments often draw from US the ejacula-
ton: 20, for ono days bright sunshine" But
enough; suffice it to say that the army Of the
Tennessee is stuck, and here to remain until
good fortune comes to our assistance. AT
present, there is no indication of change,
and sometimes think that this year is to be
wholly devoted to the equinoxial storms, and
healthful exercise.
We hear many reports as to the position
of our enemy, but care very little about them,
knowing, IS we do, that it will be impossible
for them to again effect surprise within our
lines. Gen. Grant is no longer the head and
front of our camp. Since the arrival of Gen.
Halleck, change has taken place, which
warrants us in believing that it would take
the combined forces of the Confederacy to
make even successful reconnaissance, not
withstanding Gen. Beauregard's opinion Of
the ability of his army to drive us into the
Tennessee River. N~
The general impression here is that we
will have to fight one severe battle between
here and Corinth, where the rebels are re-
ported as being fortified. Without doubt
this battle would have occurred Immediately
after the fight Of the 9Th and 18th ult., had
not the condition of the roads prevented our
advance. As is hardly think we are
loosing much by our delay, as many of the
rebel troops are daily deserving and coming
within our lines. Yesterday there were 30
who came in and expressed their utter con.
tempt of the bogus government, under which
they had served They were immediately
sent aboard q boat and are now on their
way north. They say that great dissatisfac'
ton prevails among the troops of Beaure
CARDS army, and much trouble is experienced
in keeping their dissatisfaction from culmi
Mating into INSTRUMENTATION. l think the
longer they are left alone undisturbed the
weaker they are getting, as they have nearly
given up all hopes Of accomplishing thei'
desired wishes.
A sad accident occurred, night before last
at Savannah. Gov. Harvey, of Wisconsin
who came up for the purpose of looking int
the condition Of troops from his State, while
stepping from one boat to another, missed hi!
foothold, fell into the river and was drowned
It seemed that he was on his return home
and had large amount of money on hi
person, which the troops Of Wisconsin hat
intrusted to his care, to take to their families
A reward of 81 900 has been offered for tn
recovery of his body. Up to this time nj
traces of it have been seen.
Mr.. John Miller, of Muscatine, leaves her
tomorrow for Iowa, with the remains Of Will
liam Mikesell. He will take with him man.
letters from the boys of the 18th TO thei
friends, also many trophies of the battle field
Johns good .natured face was a great sourc
of qualification to US, especially to the boy
of the 1st Iowa, of which he was an honore
member.
As it is now getting late, will bring m
letter to a close, promising to write again q
my earliest convenience. E.. h.