Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-02-10
Leseer irem Heptscky.

1seSVob BIOo 0eUtOSoys
The following letter from soldier =
Col. Frys Regiment, to bis parents IN
this city, will be found interesting:
Mill SPRINGS, Jan. 22d, 1862.
DEAR PARExrs You are no donbt
very anxious about nc; bat this viii
give You oil that is necessary to know.
/ will give you description OF our
late weary march and hot battle. we
left Lebanon on the slst Of Dec, and
after great many hard days marching
arrived within eight miles Of Zo'l'co'fes'
entreuc hments. 1t rained all that "'gh''
and We had to lay down in il or stand
up. Well, We put in very unco"fo'''
able nigh. but just at dsybreak ne we're
aroused BY firing about mile on ana
the CIV to arms. All was hurry and
excitement-our Colonel took Us mp the
road in double quick, and after We
we're almost out of breath, We came to
the enemy, eight thousand 10 number
driving every thing before them. we
formed in line OF battle along fence,
and poured it in 10 them thick and fast.
Our regiment held them back for good
long hour, and just as our ammunition
gave ont, up came the I'd Minnesota
and took our stand, and We fell back to
get ammunition. We got it ano pitched
in, but were ordered to stop. The Mis-
sitsippi tigers were marching mp through
the field, and they were mistaken Tor
the 10th Indiana. l will tell You how
the mistake was made-Col. Fry was
sitting on bis horse a little way to the
,jpht. when who should ride up to him
| but old FOLLY, and said to him "let's not
shoot our own men," The Col. was not
prepared for any thing Of that kind and
gave the order to cease firing, and
turned to the man to ask who's men
they we're, when old ZoIly pulled out .
pistol and shot at the Col, but did not
hit him. He, in turn, pulled out PTS
tol and shot the old rebel through the
heart. BY that time the rebels we're
right on to us, and all at once. W.
poured in FIRE upon them and dropped
to the ground. They returned it, but it
went over our heads; then we had It In
the right way-they on one side OF the
fence, we on the ether; but 1t was short
work, as they were hanked on both
sides, and they turned and fled in every
direction, leaving their guns aud every
thing that incnmbered them in their
flight. We followed close in their rear,
but halted within two miles Of their
breastworks, expecting, of course, they
would make a stand; but no, they jump
ed into the river and swan across-we
shooting them all the time. We laid
on our arms all that night. and just at
daybreak started to take their fortifica-
,ions. There was not soul to oppose
our entering the place. We threw some
shells over the river into the camps over
there, There were twice as many in
camp on the other side as there we're on
this, and If they lad staid inside, We
would not have been here to day; but
they were deceived az to our strength.
We took every thing they had-arms
Of every kind; over . thousand mules
and horses large number of cattle ;
any amount Of provisions, and clothes
Of all kinds. II is, suppose, a great
victory, though the battle did not las,
over an hour at the far,hest. Our loss
was Al killed and from IS to 100
wounded in the whole brigade there
we're IL killed in our regiment, and 20
wounded. One man was killed 10 the
company l am in. l believe the ball
was intended for me, for it went through
my coat, and went in my side. He did
not speak, for was at his side in a
minute after. Poor fellow, he was an
only child-so he had told me before.
am in one of their houses (they all had
houses) writing this. l should have
written long ago, but had no chance, as
we have been marching every day.
will not write much more; feel very
tired and weak, and have DOT been per-
fectly we'll since we left Lebanon.
have good appetite, that he'ps me
along when We stop for any length Of
time. l will starve it out that is the
only way to get rid Of it, l believe.
How are the people now? Don't they
begin to think Of peace?
l will put piece Of Zollicoffer's buck
skin shirt in this, that l cut of OF bis
very back. He was newly dressed.