The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-04-17
From the 4th iowa Cavalry.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, April 1st, 1852.

wrote you, some of our Regiment have gone
nearly all over southern Missouri. The reg
iment left st. Louis from the 18th to the 23d
inclusive, two companies each day, as the
railroad could furnish no more transporta-
ton. Our squadron left on the goth, and
arrived at Rolla on the Hst. On the 22nd
squadron F and L were ordered south to
Hou,ton, Texas county, for the purpose Of
reinforcing Lieut.. Col. Wood, commander Of
that post, who was about being attacked by
a band Of some 500 or 600 rebels, Under Cok
Coleman, with whom COL Wood had had a
slight engagement some days previous. The
distance is GO miles, which we made by q
forced march in 80 hours, and on arriving
we were very much disappointed in finding
no enemy within so miles of that place.
We then returned some twenty miles to-
wards Rolla, and went into camp upon the
only Union mans farm that is in that whole
section of the country. He would inform us
who the most rabid secessionists were; then
we would help ourselves to whatever we
wanted; forage, provisions, chickens, tur.
keys, eggs, apples, honey, and all kinds Of
eatables had their share Of visitation. There
had no troops quartered IN that section, and
the 'secesh' were beginning to congratulate
themselves that they were not geing to be
molested by our troops, but they were sadly
mistaken, when the Iowa boys came round. ;
It certainly was amusing to see the wealthy
old farmers stand and see the proceeds Of
their farms all vanish in one night. They
ought to read Of "visions bright vanish with
the dews Of morn" After feasting for some
days, we received orders to march to Spring
held.
We were in the midst Of the Ozark hills,
or mountains, as some call them, and march
ing went very slow, as our horses and bag
gage mules were unaccustomed to labor
However. we made the trip over the hills,
hollows, rocks and creeks, and arrived here
on the 2sth, all sound and in good spirits,
and "spoiling for a .fght."
This village looks like the ruins of some
evacuated town. Last summer when was
here it was as lovely village as ever saw
Since that time the rebels have occupied it
twice and the Federals as often Each has
left its mark Of devastation and ruin, until
it is only the shadow of its former self =
Full half the buildings have been burned,
and great many others have been altogeth.
er ruined by the soldiers quartered in them.
This was mostly done by the rebels, as they
had no tents or camp equippage Of any kind.
Price drove the family from the best fur.
nished house in the town and occupied it as
headquarters. Dreadful are the calamities
that war scatters in its path. This part Of
Missouri has received such death blow
that it will take at least half century to re-
gain its former prosperity and enjoyment of
its citizens. And when peace is again re-
stored, this country will be settled with an
entirely different class of people. The rca-
son assigned is that the Union men have
been so trampled upon by the seeessionists,
that they will not permit any of that class
to return.
We had one review Of our regiment since
we came here, and the people here thought
we made very fine appearance. This, as
they say, is nothing very uncommon for
the Iowa BoYs to do. Every where we
have been, the people say the Iowa boys are
the best looking and the most gentlemanly
Of any Of the soldiers that have gone through
Missouri. Bully for the Haoksyes.
What our destination will be no one yet
knows; the most general supposition is,
that we will 60 to the army Of Curtis. We
may perhaps be kept here for some time, as
all the other troops are ordered to leave for
the south tomorrow. Some troops will have
to stay here to guard stores, prisoners and
this post, and as all the others are going, we
will have to stay until more troops arrive
from st. Louis.
The battle of Pea Ridge was the most Sc
we're ofany in the west. The rebels suffered
very heavily, much more than the Federals.
Mccullough and McIntesh were killed, and
Price was wounded in the arm. The pros.
pect Of another fight ip the Boston mountains
is not very fattering at present, as the rebels
have retreated to Fort Smith and Little Rock.
We viii not move forward for some weeks
yet, and II our troops obtain possession Of
Memphis and Island No. 10 soon, there will
be no more engagements in the South west
In that case, our troops will have cut off all
their means Of communication, and have al
opportunitis of sending troops up the Arkan
sas river, thus coming in the rear Of Price
and making the conquest of the South ives,
q very easy matter.
Last Saturday, l in company with several
others, visited the Battle ground of Wilson's
Creek. In traversing the ground that both
armies occupied, I found many indications
that the rebels had suffered much more Sc
verely than we did, in that engagement.
visited the spot where the Iowa First made
its grand stand. Branches and even trunks
oftrees were scattered over the ground by
the round shot from the enemy's batteries
Bones of men and animals still lay bleaching
on the ground, and | am told that some Of
the 'ssecesh" women, while Price occupied
this place, were so lost to the feelings of hu
manity that they used the skulls of some Of
the Federal killed, for "soap- dishes. Little
did thinl; that civilization WAS sunk so low