The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-02-05
A Letter from the 2nd Iowa.

A Letter fiOm the 9nd Iowa.
Correspondence Of the otsaqua Courier. ds
MILITARY PaIsoN. McDowELL's CoILEaE.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. %, 1862.
Mr. Editor: "At this present writing"
We are having very mild weather. The
streets are muddy and sloppy. Were it not
for sidewalks and street cars, pedcstrianism
would be impossible. The sun has been
seen but once since New Years. A con-
tinual fog has enveloped us for twenty days.
The above paragraph upon somewhat
trite subject is only for an introduction, and
now having the ice broken perhaps my pen
will run the easier. t,a.. .t
The and Iowa Regiment seems to have
becomes fixture in st. Louis. For four
weeks the possi5uity ofbeing ordered to take
the field, has been held terror over our
heads. To-day we learn that Gen. Hamil-
ton has expressed himself entirely satisfied
with the manner in which We are discharg-
ing our duty as guard at this prison. and in
forms our Colonel that we can stay here as
long as we choose to stay, and as long rs
there are prisoners to guard. think this
Is perfectly satisfactory to the
Colonel, as well as many other officers, who
seem to he enjoying themselves hugely with
their wives and littae opcs now present in
our camp. Officers wives among us are no
longer rarity. This arrangement is bene-
fetal in more ways than one. More officers
are present at dress parades than before
On Sunday evening the Colonel remarked
tho unusual occurrence Of nine out Of ten
Captains present. II also remoyes strong
to violate the AID article Of war.
A Military Commission has been in ses-
sion Sor some two weeks, for the purpose Of
trying the secesh now IN our charge. Many
succeed in proving their loyalty to the Gov.
and such upon taking the oath are
Others prove their Improvement
into the service Of the rebels; such are re-
leased. Many give bonds for their good be-
havior, and upon being sworn are turned
loose. Many are mere boys who have fol-
lowed the multitude to do evil, and without
any political opinions or character, are set
free. Many Of the prisoners are mere citi.
zens. never having taken the military char
acter, and are only guilty of having been
found in bad company. ?hess are also re-
leased. may add that those released are
men in the ranks. None of the officers or
leaders have been set at liberty.
Gen. Stureis is President Of the Board OF
Examiners. The other members l do not
know personally, but they are gentlemen
high in military rank, and seem to he pa
tie tly investigating the matter, and I have
no doubt that in the main justice is done.
notice among the prisoners many old,
grey headed men some Of them look feeble
and sickly. There have been some thirty or
40 deaths. Almost every day the ambulance
comes in and removes the sick ones to the
hospital. The mortality among them seems
to be greater than smopg our troops. In
most cases they are well cared for and re-
ceive equal attentions with our own. Con-
finement does not seem to agree with them.
Roaming over the country, jayhawking, is
more to their tastes.
One day last week an extrs guard was set
an j they were turned into the street for air
and exercise. The men were delighted at
this. The hour allotted was spent by many
in briskly walking up and down the street.
Others ran and jumped and cut up more
antics than have seen for whole year.
The prisoners are well fed ana lodged
quite as well as our own men. Strangely
contrasting the manner our prisoners fare
dowr south in the slave pens and prisons.
7 have mixed somewhat among them and
held conversation with them. I have read
many letters written by them and many
sent to them, and I cannot help thinking
that the liberty Of an American citizen is .
very great and sacred thing. How little do
we value it until we looseit.
All intercourse with outsiders is cut off,
except to those admitted by order Of Gen.
erals Halleck and Hamilton.
Their correspondence is examined, and il
containing any Objectionable matter is withs
held. have noticed very !pspy letters
written by them expressing very pious se'l-
timents- high regard for religious mat
ters- -exhorting their friends to pray for
them, &C., using all the hypocritical slang
usual under such circumstances, as Y piety
consisted with treason, or Christianity with
Rebellion
The Officers are kept separate from the
men, it being thought best to remove them
from all privilege of tampering with them.
I have made the acquaintance of Col. Rob-
ertson, commanding the Regiment, now our
prisoners, who seems to be an intelligent
man. On making sops enquiries, | learn
ed Chat he was intimately acquainted with
Capt Cyrus Franklin, late Of Wapello. now
q Col. in Mat Green's Brigade. COL r.
speaks very highly of the "Capt." Birds
offeather," &c.
One Of the prisoners effected his escaps .
night or two ago by putting on the disguise
Of negro, backing his face and wearing >
curly wig. Hewas An orderly ip one Of the
companies. ~ 8R.'i 1.s .'a ,'. '''..
For the most part they are well clothed.
1t was ny ;lpt ~ officer pf the day, tosuper-
intend the examination Of their baggage when