The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-05-15
ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI
10 miles from Corin,h, ;
Nav Sd, 1862.

4htN W, ACO.. J
Friend Wieting.
During my recent visit home pro-
missed many friends that would write
them upon my return to the South, but
up to this time / have found it i'm
possible SO to do, and from present ap-
pcarances | fear the future will not find
the more able to comply than has the
past, therefore write to all my friends
through the Transcript.
Since left Iowa, l have been in
Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Arkansas and Mississippi. Upon my
return l went Immediately to New Mad.
rid, and had hardly got domcsticated in
our New Camp ere we were ordered
upon the Tiptonville expedition accounts
of which you have long since received.
Upon the boat which conveyed us from
New Madrid over the river into Ten
ncssee, was Major General Pope and
General Hamilton. After landing and
marching few miles over the most hor.
rible roads which it is possible to con
ceive could exist, we wrapt the drapcry
Of our couches around ns, stretched our
weary limbs upon the ground, and
slept soundly till morning. We then
went on in. company wi,hNother forces
and captured the Island 10 forces, sent
them North to rus,icatc among the mud.
stills and greasy mechanics of Hammond
notorietv, and retreatcd to New Madrid.
On tie 18th Of April we embarked on
the Steamer City of Alton, in company
with the 26th Regt Mo. Volunteers, and
one Battalion of the 2nd Iowa Cavalry
(400) with all their horses, camp equip
page &c, together with that belonging
to the two regiments Of Infantry, and
an unknown quantity Of ammunition,
forage DC. &c.
To give you any thing like correct
idea Of the crowded state Of orr boat,
would require talents far superior to
mine, but that you may have faint
conception fit, would suggest tina,
you can think Of the cattle and hog
trains on our eastern Rail Roads, where
hogs were piled III so thick they couldn't
squeal, and cattle although not iinini h.
ed in weight, were so changed in shape
that the owners could hardly recognize
them; with these suggestions l leave
you TO imagine our condition.
Our boat i'll company with twenty
six other steamers containing the ba.
lance Of pope's army went down near
Fort Wright, were we staid two DAYS
and were then ordered np the Tennessee
river, We were on tie boats eleven DAYS,
most Of the time the weather Icing very
cold and rainy, causing much suffering
and sickness among the troops.
On tho morning Of the 22nd we dis
embarked at Hamburg five miles above
Pittsburg landing and cncamped near
town in beautiful grove whore we
staid until the 2Sth when we moved
about 5 miles nearer Corin,h and again
encamped. On the Both our Brigade
was ordered to accompany and protect
Col. Bissells Pioneer Reg't while they
built bridges and repaired roads toward
Corinth, We advanced (the Iowa 10th
in the lead) that day about ten mics.
which brought us four miles nearer
CoriEth than any Federal troops had
been. We encampcd that night 4 miles
from Corin!l, and all night we could
hear the whistling Of the cars, the beat.
ing Of drums, and many signs If hustle
and confusion; before dark our Cavalry
drove in the rebel pickles, and lost one
man in SO doing, he was shot and died
before morning. On the LIST Of May
we retreated to our old camp, and the
End we again advanced five miles,
where we are now cncamped, patiently
awaiting orders to advant again.
We received news last evening Of the
capture Of New Orleans, and thele was
greatrcjoicingin campoyer this another
Of our many victories. The weather is
quite warm here during the day, but
very cool through the night. Whoa, is
so far advanced that the heads arc
formed and commencing to fill and
other things in proportion. Yet not
withstanding all this, give me Iowa in
preference to any country through
which have passed. Learned yester-
day that William Paxton m old resident
Of our county, and . member Of tie 2nd
Iowa Cavalry, was killed on the goth
Of last month, while on a scout with his
Company. He died in a good cause
and with his face toward the enemy
u