The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-12-10
Army Correspondence.
CAMP GILBERT NEAR MEMPHIS,
Tom. Nov. Is. 1862

CAMP GILBERT NEAR MEMPHIS,
Tenn, Nov. 25, 1862.
Editors Times When I wrote you last
We were swimming in Cairo or rather wad-
ing, the mud being too stiff to swim, but
thanks to kind Providence We gre again
on terra fir,na. We left Cairo on the even.
ing Of the goth, and on board the steamer
Emerald, bound down the river, and that
night reported at Columbus and moved
on few miles below where We stopped to
cook ra,ions and wait for morning light.
Morning came and We glided down the
stream, passing the far famed Island No.
10, and hauling up again for night at the
mud fort Pillow; here we enjoyed our
selves an hour or two examining the i'm
mense works Of this Formidable fort, and
found that glory had passed away from it
some time since, and all that remained now
are the ruins Of cannon spiked and blown
up and disabled in other ways, breast
works washed down, and rifle pits filled up.
But sill it is thought best to keep guard
there and part Of an Indiana regiment
are there doing garrison duty. do not
envy them their situation. The next day
brought US to Memphis, where we remain
Cd on board till morning and then marched
out TO this place and pitched out tents in q
beautiful woodland, amongst the trees and
leaves, and were congratulating ourselves
on our good luck in having been peru tilted
to rest while in such a lovely place, but
alas our stay was to be but short one
On yesterday we received orders to prepare
for marching to morrow morning. Over
hauling baggage, throwing away old and
drawing new clothing, cutting down bag.
gage, &C., &C., for be it understood that we
arr only allowed half wagon to haul our
company mess chests, tents and SO on, and
when you reflect that it took two teams to
company to bring us here you may i'm.
agine that something must be left.
Where we 60 VIC know not, but from the
manner in which the sick, wounded and
missing are disposed Of conclude some.
thing is going to b. done. All arc anxious to
See the enemy and am inclined to think
from the actions Of some thy will be anx.
ious to see their friends, but our Colonel is
trying to get us some better arms and that
will put new spirits in the troops, but how
We will act remains to be seen. We have
one consolation and that is that We are to be
led 10y a true Iowan, Gen. Lauman, whom
we all know to BE- dashing. daring General,
and one in whom We all place the highest
confidence. The sd Wisconsin, 1l4ih
illinois, 9th Iowa, and other regiments
make up bis brigade, all Northwestern
troops, but will wait to sec how the mat.
ter stands before predict defeat. We arc
all confident of success.
There is one thing am sorry to see 60.
ing along with some Of these regiments and
that is the wanton destruction of property
of citizens Of all classes by fire and other.
wis. 1t is said that MT single night is
allowed to pass without several houses and
their contents bling burned to the ground
and while write can see the light OF
great fires again, and can this momcn,
hear the fire bells in the city ring loud an d
fast, some poor creatures are driven out in
the night, naked perhaps, to SEX house
to cover them from the chilly air, aud Sc,
their homes made desolatc, bu; am slad
| 70 see that the proper authorities are taking
the matter in hand, and this thing o.
pilageing Will be stopped. One thing r.
S y that Is, that so far ouI regiment have
kept all off from such conduct and nu,
Colonel, Lieut.. Colonel, Major, and ,hir
| most Of the line officers will do all in ,hei,
power to preserve our good name.
Whilst at Cairo detail was taken from
our regiment to guard lot of prisoners OF
the steamer Metropolitan with a flag oftru {
boand for Vicksburgh, there Were $50 pris
oners to exchange; they lay out in the riy
er off Memphis when we arrived and
| understand that they were to leave to
day. Of Go f are among the guard Que
Of which it is supposed shot prisoner il,
attempting to escape. He had jumped in
to the river and was trying to swim shore
when the guard, q. 8. Iannah) being
wide awake, fired away and the prisoner
sank I" rise no more. We hope to See the
boys back in few days with boat load
of our own men.
Our company as well as the regiment is
improving in health. Very few new cases
reported. We left out Of Co. +, 4 men al
Cairo mostly measle cases and will have to
fleave three here, but those we leave here
will get along in few days those VIC left
at Cairo, wers pretty sick, amongst them
vas Mr.. Wilcox, We have not heard from
them since We LEFT, neither have we heard
| from those We left at home, but hope they
are AL better.
We hope to get the TINES in the morn.
ing before we leave; it is welcome visitor
- s''S CohpaHy'
We have not seen nor heard from our
Quarter Master since we left St. Paul and
hope it may be longer before we see him
again.
The weather is warm in day time and
cool nights, but pleasant. No rain since
We left Cairo, the roads here arc fine.
| When you hear from me again you may
expect to hear war news.
Yours truly,
TIL 8. G. DRIPs.