The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-12-10
Letters from Rev. Mr.. Sloan.

Letters from Rev. Mr.. Sloan.
HARTsvILLE, Mo. Nov. 30. 1862.
DEAR SUNDAY CnooL:-This is a clear
bright morning after a long drcary storm
Of sornewha less duration than that whi-h
Paul encountered in the Adriatic. From
Saturday till Wednesday evenings, We had
almost incessant rain, with high winds par,
Of the time-a regular Missouri storm in
all the attributes of its drcariness suited tt
this doleful region Of country. We did
very we'll in the officers tents; they kept us
perfectly dry, while our sheet iron stoves
made the temperature dcliciousc AS we sa,
around our fires listening to the rain pat
tering on the tightly drawn canvass, there
would have been a real luxury in the sound
l. it had not been for the painful reflection
that our poor soldiers in their little tents
were cold and damp. I: has been hard
storm for soldiers in the field, but our boys
rave borne it cheerfully. They are out in
the sunshine this morning airing thci,
blankets, darning their stocking. and clean
ing their guns, as merry as if the sun had
always shone.
One Of our great privatiohs here is the
lack OF news. Our letters come irregular.
~, at long intervals-o papers do moi
come at all. i have not seer paper since
We left Houston, and but three or fou,
since we left Salem. After having my
daily paper and keeping track Of all the
movements Of the army, and transactions
IF government, now to be cut down to a
state weekly once or twice month, seem,
rather tough. There may have been big
battle fought on the Potomac. and an evac
nalion Of Holly Springs, and two or three
sea port cities captured within the las,
fortnight; but if there have, we have no,
heard it. yet, and probably will not till
towards the first of December. A Nc
Gregnr paper have not seen for two weeks
and then it was fifteen days old. I wish
it might he hinted to the TINES and the
Neos to keep their papers right on OIL,
track, and IN hot pursuit Of us. Colone
Merrill arrived in camp two days ago, afte,
a protractcd and painful illness at Salem
greatly improved in health and in fine
spirits, he has assumed command Of his
regiment. Another Of onr soldiers died n,
Salem the other day, and another at Hous
ton is thought to be dangerously i'll. A,
this place We had yesterday, thirteen sick
all OF them, except one, are doing WE'LL
One poor fellow is very sick.
My d'ar Teachers and Scholars, I fancy
you all in your places, looking and listen
ing AS the Secretary reads my letter for the
interesting part Of it. Alas! it will neve,
come! Four days Of storm shutting one
up in tent, do not furnish many incident.
to write. The only remarkable develop
ment during those days was the growth o
camp rumors. One time we hear that W.
are going back to Houston "to- morrow. ,
eve know that can't be so, for our bag
gage train is all gone to Salem with 81,
Jays rations) Next we hear that We are
going to Rolla as soon as the train returns
a it'll. after We hear that we are going I,
st. Louis, and then down the Mississippi
Again we hear that our destination is t,
winter quarters in Benton Barracks, ant
SO on to an endless variety of rum ,rs.
asked some Of tn, boys one day where
they heard these things; they said over al
the hospital. The same afternoon heart
re hash of the same things at the i.ospi
tai. and 'sked where they got their infor
nation; heard it in camp" So it goc.
from hospital to camp, and from camp I,
hospital, AS ever, yours,
S. p. SLOAN.