The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-05-29

May Is, 1862.
Mr. EDITOR :-Inaccordance with promise
| embrace the FIRST opportunity of sending
you some account of our journey southwark.
On a bright and beautiful morning, which
ushered in the month Of May, we sailed forth
from the military post OF Rolla. As we passed
the fort on the hill, which commands the
town, We were reminded. rs we saw the SEN
tinel slowly measuring his steps along the
ramparts, and the huge guns peering over
the walls, that we were going into country
where it was nesccssarv to keep our powder
dry. Night found us twenty six miles south
Of our starting point, which was good days
journey, over mountainous and rocky road
After considerable coaxing we obtained the
privilege of stopping for the night wi h a
farmer, who, when INTERCEPTED as to his
views on the great question Of the day, re-
piled. that in these times he hardly knew
which side he was on, but he would be
mighty glad to hear that peace was declared.
Our second DAYS journey was through a
mountainous and sterile country, covered
thickly with the scrubby pine. We arrived
after dark at our stopping place, the house
of good Union man, sit lated in valley
at the foot of a high mountain. The country
in this region is the toughest, and most un-
desirable for dwelling place, that I have
ever seen. As we were seated at the table
quietly partaking Of our snppers, we were
much amused by little Irishman, who was
travelling in our company. He abruptly
asked our landlord, -"And what ever bro't
you here Did ye get mad at yerself, and
want to spite yerself or did We come here
10 spite somebody else ?" The apt questions
ofthc Trishman, will give you better idea
of the country, than any description ofHsine.
The next day we reached the town Of West
Plains, where we expected to find our army
encamped, but found that it had gone on a
forced march to Arkansas. Pursuing our
wayne crossed the State line, and reached the
village of Salem, where we learned that our
army was still pushing southwark. Ajour-
ney of day and half, brought us to the
city of Batesville This is beautiful place,
situated on one Of the bluffs Of White River,
at the head of steamboat navigation. 1t
contains some very fine buildings, among
which noticed q very neat church, a large
hotel, and Court House, which was pro-
vided with a good town clock, and was also
beautified by having the Stars and Stripes
waving overit. Some Of the citizens had
fed at the approach Of our army, but the
majority remained. The stores were all
closed and business suspended, and the peo-
pie generally did not seem to relish the pres
ence of the Union troops. Here we found
Gen. Curtis headquarters, and a large por-
ton of our army encanped, but learned that
our regiment had gone twenty-six miles fur
ther down White River, to Jacksonport.
Another days journey brought us to the
headquarters of Col. Bussey; here we are
in The vertable land of Dixie, the land Of
Cotton and canebrakes. Our encampment
is on the point made by the confluence Of
Black and White Rivers, Black River on the
north and White River on the south. Imme-
diately below the mouth of Black River, OPP
posite to our encampmcnt, is the town of
Jacksonport. 1t is said to have contained
two thousand inhabitants, but on the APP
proach ofthe army, the majority Of them
ernigrated down the river. As I rode into
the main street Of the town, was forcibly
impressed with its resemblance to Ottumwa
Its situation on the river. the point oftimber
on the opposite bank, and all the surround
ings Of the place, excepting the want of a
bluff back Of the town, are so similar to those
of Ottumwa, that have heard others speak
of the resemblance At Jacksonsport, is
encamped the army of Gen. Steele, which
marched from Pilot Knob to Pocahontas,
thence down Black River to this point
Some of Steels rpenhave taken possession
of printing Office, and are publishing a
paper, called "Arkansaw Traveller. The
following extract from late number will
show you the spicy character Of its edito,
rails:
SIN looking over some manuscript in this
Office, we sec the editor was determined that
the blood of his body should run into his
boots, before he would turn his back to the
Unionists. We find several old pairs O
boots in the sanctum. but mary drap o blood
Should they continue their march, however
at the rate they left this town, sore feet may
effect it."
| Our army is at present stationary, but
how long it will remain so is question
am unable to answer. The days are ex
ceedingly hot, and the nights quite COOL
This section Of country produces considers
bic c,tton. On our way here We passed
several cotton plantations, on one of which
noticed a considerable quantity o. cotton il
hales, stored. This portion of Arkansa
contains great many good Union men, VIII
have z ably welcomed our army The wealth
/ lest planter in this vicinity. Capt. Sunstall
1 is an unconditional Union man, who ha
| shown his devotion to the cause, by mar,
substantial favors to our troops. l
There Is striking difference in the ap
] pearance of things in Missouri and Arkansas
4 In Missouri, the track ofthe armies is mark
/ ed with desolation, while in following in til
! wake Of our army thus far into Arkansas
! we find the people. with few exceptions, q