The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-04-03
FROM OUR BOYS.
In camp near New Madrid Mo.
March It'll 1850.


Our men willingly exchanged their
comfortable quarters at the FONT tor
toll and fatigue Of the daily march and
after camping for few days in the Vi
chit, of Bertrand, received orders to
march towards New Madrid. On the
afternoon OF the 9th inst, we struck
Tents ut two o'clock and marched to
Sarx,on on the railroad ties reaching
the place sometime after dark and
camped in grove half mile distant for
the night.
Our tents were left behind and the
blue vault above us served rs a cover,
but poorly indeed. Before the men
had time to kindle their fires the rain
began to pa,ter on the ground and it
became absolutely necessary for every
one to protect himself from the inclem-
ency Of the storm. In order to accom-
plish this the rules Of camp were viola
ted and the men bctook themselves to
the adjoining barns, houses, &c, to rem
der their situation as comfortable as
circumstances would admit. But few
enjoyed, even to us this blessed priv
lege, while majority stood trembling
round their fires, or slept at the trunks
Of the brown old trees, saturated with
the rain as it fell. 1t was bitter night
indeed, and with heavy eye-lids and
mutiled tones the men sullenly wished
for the morrow.
Day at last dawned on the scene;
when after partaking Of hard tack and
coffee made from a puddle in the road,
We fell in line and continued cur march,
AZ the day advanced the men wearied
with their heavy loads threw their blan
kets away and all other things calcnlat
ed to cucumber them on the march
The road was exceedingly muddy there
by increasing the tolls Of the day, and
rendering the situation Of the sick un-
comfortable and rrecarious.
Near the hour Of noon our worthy
Captain secured team for the benefit
Of the Company, and our knapsacks
and over coats were hauled the balance
of the day. We camped for the night
(which proved a beautiful one) within
two miles Of ou- present place, and rest
ed quite we'll. In the morning we
moved into the General Camp compris-
ing Gen. Pope's command, and took
position on the left Of the Iowa 9Th, al
ready stationed before us. Many
warm exchanges were made by them
greatly to our comfort, and as our IA.
tons were quite short they shared with
us TO the extent OF their rations, and
done all in their power to complete our
happiness.
Oar teams di! rot arrive until late
hour in the night conveying our tents
and rations, and when they did come
most Of the men wrapped in the arms
OF sleep, aid knew no waking for la
tiguc, until morn found them refreshed
from their SAUNDERS. Hardly had they
finished their breakfast, when they
were ordered on Grand Guard the de-
tails taking all Of our Company but a,
and marched to Head Quarters to be
placed on the duty assigned them.
At dusk we received orders to pre-
pare on. days rations, and to be ready
to march at o'clock in the morning.
Accordingly we fell in line of Battalion.
joined by the I'd Missouri and moved
out Of camp in the direction Of New
Malrid. The men on guard received
orders to continue on their posts, which
left Co. &C. "a men and only one Off
Ger, Scrgt ]. NJ. Stcbing.
At daylight the firing commenced
between the rebel gunboats and bat
teries; and cur heavy siege guns plant.
ed in front Of their works the night be
fore amounting to 4 only, and was kept
up briskly for some time. No engage
rnent was made with the Infantry, but
the Ohio 43d and III. 10th stationed to
support the batteries suffered consider
ably by the fire of the rebels. They
poured constant stream of fire to-
wards our guns, and disabled our gun
Of largest calibre 81 FOUNDER, about
noon, but the firing was continued by
the other three 80 Founders the rest of
the day. They threw three shots to
cur ono and their Gunners displayed
considerable skill. Their boats con-
stantly changed positions, and maneau-
vered to every possible advantage
About three in the afternoon battery
Of the I'd Iowa made their way to the
lief. Of the lower works and planted
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