The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-02-19

Bivins, Of the 9th Iowa. The Capt. is a
resident of Volga City, we'll and most fa-
'vrah,y known to many or our readers
who will perusc with pleasure 4 communi.
cation written by one possessed Of the clea,
judgment and noble bearing of the autno,
of the annexed letter, descriptive Of the
movements and condition of the army at a
point now exciting so much interest. We
have no doubt the promise Of frequent let.
trrs, xprcssed in private note to us will,
like all other obligations Of Capt. b, DC
promptly made good. We trust they will
come on the double quick - ....
" IN CAMP, NEAR LEBANON, Mo..l .
- rs - - : February 9th, 1862. 4
Dear Times ION the morning of Jan
2lst the 9th Iowa loft their camp at Pacific
City and moved on by railroad to Rolla
where they arrived on the morning Of the
22i, and exchanged greetings with the Iowa
18th then stationed at that place, and par.
took of a hearty breakfast prepared for them
by their hospitality, and then went into
camp short distance from town. On the
evening Of the 25th, Col VandesvaeTf arrived
from Washington and joined his regimen,
and resumed command greeted by both
the officers and men Of Tho regiment in a
manner that must have been most crafty
ing to him as showing the estimation in
which he is held BY them. zg
On the morning Of the 2sth we took up
our line Of march for this place, crossing
the Gasconade river on the third day, which,
Icing swollen with recent rains, was not
fordahle. We were obliged to cross it BY
means Of one small ferry boat which CON
sumcd abou: thirty hoafsof eonstantlabso,,
and Wien you consider that Wa, had TO crres
river three hundred yards wide with
twelve. hundred men switt. an their camp
equipagc. tents, provisions, and over three
hundred mules and horses, their wagons
and loading, besides battery of six guns,
their carriages, cais.ons, &C., on boat
whose capacity was only about forty men
OF four mules. think you will give MS
credit for diligence. Oar route was oversa
broken. uneven country, intcrsp.rsed with
rocky hills and muddy bottoms. The
roads were in the worst possible condition,
and We had to keep fatigue parties con.
s,antly ahead to repair the roads and others
with the trains to hoist out the wagons and
mules when they stuck 'fastin the mud ;
and after nine days hard travelling we ar
rived ut this place and went into camp
where We now are. There are many troops
concentrating here. The Iowa 4th preceded
US three days; Sicsel and his command
followed hard on our footsteps and came in
to day Asnboth with his division is pres.
4 sing forward close in his rear and will be
here Tomorrow or next day. Gen. Pope's
and other divisions are advancing upon
Springfield, and there will soon be an army
concentrated here that will be able to find
employment for Price and his army as
many as he may have. As to the amour,
and number Of Prices forces, there are va
rious and contradictory rumors, being esti
mated all the way from fifteen to seventy
five thousand. Some reports are that he i.
we'll fortified and prepared to give battle
others that he will either disband his arm,
or retreat on the approach Of our forces
But the problem will soon he solved. for IL
a few days Il he remains where he now is
we shall be upon him. Col. Wright is nov
twenty Ave miles in advance. of this plac'
in the direction Of Springfield, and we ar,
less than h:ty miles fsoR Kim and shall un