Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-02
ABOARD STEAMER PLATTE VALLEY,
TQunoaaoa Riuor ADr.l 10

Tennessee River, April %. !
FRIEND MAHlN AS have given you no
items from the I'd Cavalry for some time,
perhaps few lines may not be uniuteresting,
as Muscatineis pretty respectfully represent
ed therein.
The regiment left Birds Point, the 7th of
March, and arrived at New Madrid on the
18th, and on the 18th, it went on to the
field at day break, and remained until order
ed off at Pm.
We left camp at New Madrid on the 18th of
April, and marched to the river to be trans
ported across to part of Gen. Pope's Divs-
ion. We were drawn up in line, and had
fine view Of the secesh floating battery as she
drifted by, and witnessed the firing on her
from our artillery. Two squadrons were
crossed over at 2 A. NJ. that night, and lay
down awaiting the remainder, but they were
detained until day light, and when they did
come they were ordered back, as our force
was sufficient. The two squadrons marched
before day, and arrived at the rebel camp op-
posite Island No. 10 soon after daylight, and
were the first troops in their camp on the
main shore, and picked up over a huodred
prisoners, and marched, at noon, ten miles to
Tiptonville, where the infantry forces had
bagged the game, and there being so many
prisoners to transport, we did not get to
camp until the 18th, and being without tents
or equippage, and the weather very wet, we
had 1t rough. On the 18th, we left camp
and went aboard transports for "Dixie, via
Memphis. We steamed out on Sunday morn
ing the 14th, and arrived at point Just
above Fort Pillow. Weather was fine and
warm, and musquetces plenty and full size.
We saw the ball opened, and expected to
have hand in, but on the 18th, we left at
at daylight, upward bound" for Pittsburg
Landing Besides the gun-boats and NOR
tar-boats, there was some forty steamboats,,
all of the largest class, at that point, most Of
which have headed for the Tennessee river.
The weather, which has been fine and
warm, changed on the night of the 10th with
heavy thunder storm, and incessant rain
from that time to the night of the 2lst. The
boats are densely crowded, and many horses
and men are in open barges, and che incle.
ment weather has been severe on men and
horses.
The Mississippi is over its banks, and al
the country. The only dry land we saw was
at New Madrid and Columbus. Cairo was
all aAoat, and Mound City all under water W
to the windows each city atfording unbound
ed boating facilities.
Yesterday morning, the 22d, the sun ap
peared to US in all his glory the first time
for a week, and we left the dismal region o
Cairo. Passing Paducah, and entering the
Tennessee, we are, to day, passing up beau
tiful river. The banks are high and dry, ano
heavily timbered. | note one peculiarity:-
Though navigable stream, passing through
a rich soii-healthy climate and an old settlec
country-in passing hundred miles, have
not noticed single town or village, and bu
half dozen plantations Was it it in free
Iowa, the shores would be lined with happy
homes, and fourish.ng towns and cities.
On leaving New Madrid, COL Elliot was
placed in command of the brigade, and 1t
Col. Hatch is in command of the regiment
This arrangement meets the hearty approba
ton of the officers and soldiers of the entire
regiment. To say that he has the universal
confidence and respect of his entire com
mand, would be considered no fattery by his
regiment. That he may pery soon have the
command by commission, as he now has by
act, is the earnest wish of the I'd Iowa Cav.
airy.
It. j. NJ. Hannum is now acting Regi.
mental Quartermaster-than whom none
could more honorably fill the position.
We expect to arrive at Pittsburg Landing
Tomorrow. For the present,
Adieu. DIFF,