The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-12-24
Army Correspondenee,
CAxP PYArr, MIss.,e
Dec 0d. 1882. {

We are out Of the way Of mails as well as
| females, and nothing but noise and confd
sion fills up the time between the hours o.,
marching and sleeping
1t is now ten days since We left Mem
phis, and we have only laid over two days
in that time; but we have been aIwaye
busy, starting by daylight, and generally
marching until after dark. We have nos
made very long marches, but still the
were tiresome ones, inasmuoh as we werv
in a body of about 10000 men. Gen,
Sherman commands oil, and bis division.
is divided into six brigades, and We are IL
the 9Th, called Lauman's brigade. This is
composed Of the 18th regular infantry, one
reg, I'll. cavalry, SD Wis. vols, 9th Iowa
vols, and two batteries of artillery. TwL
regiments Of the brigade were left at Mem
phis.
We moved from Memphis on the 97th Of
last month. and marched three days to .
place called the Pigeon Roost, where We
lay over day awaiting orders.
The country we marched through sp-
peared to be tolerably level and pretty good
soil, but very little improved, being only an
occasional farm, and that but poorly i'm
proved. The buildings are of wood, chesp
affairs, and poorly constructed; the fences
are of the rail ould sort, without stakes.
Cotton seems to have been the principal
crop, but there has been considerable corn
raised during the past year, which answers
very we'll for federal horses and mules, a.
we have had frequent occasion to know.
We left the Pigeon Roost on last Sun,
day morning, and marched about ten OF
twelve miles to a town called Chalahoua,a q
small village and nearly depopulated. We
were considerably excited that day by hear.
ing the sound Of cannon every few minutes
which the negroes along the route told US
was our advance attacking Prices rear.
We all expected fight, and when we
encamped for the night we were all disap:'
pointed to learn that about 1000 rebel cav.
airy had only left the place that morning.
TO help cool down our fighting propensitics,
about 10 o'clock that night there came up
one OF the most dreadful storms of wind,
1t blew gale and our tents not being very
firmly pegged down, capsized and left US
out in the wet, You may imagine our sit.
uation.
The next day found US drying our blan.
kcts. and the day following we marched 10
this plaee-the rain falling all day. And
here we had another night of rain. Bag.
gage was four miles behind, mud wheel
deep, ground wet, nothing to eat, aud moth,
ing but muddy water to drink. In this
delightful condition, we built fires, laid
rails upon the ground, ourselves upon the
rails, and thus sought natures sweet res.
torer.' This is camp life.
Here We learned that Price and his for.
ces had left on Sunday evening and that
Gen. Grant was on his track, and now the
news are that our cavalry have taken from
800 to 1000 prisoners.
Indeed, a report is going the rounds that
Gen. Steel has completely cut off his 70.
treat. Let this be as it may We will give
chase, at least.
I am Of the same opinion that ! was be.
fore joining the army in relation to Price,
and that is that he never will allow himself
to be taken There is considerable Santa
Anna in him. We may remark parcnthet-
ically, that our correspondent will probably
never see piice, though he once had the
pleasure of overhaulng the Mexican hero,
Prices army always was moving spectacle,
very.--Eds
Desertcrs from his army say that Prices
soldiers are very much dissatisfied with his
move, and are deserving in large numbers.
The citizens here say that as soon as the
rebels hear our drums they vamose--
the last time in the direction of jackson.
Rumors of peace ore of daily occurrence.
and there are thousands III the army .
well as out, who will hail it with delight.
think, moreover, the people dwelling
along the line of march of our army, have
good reason to pray for peace. Half Of tLs
mischief that is done will never be told or
else the record will be dark one. Men
whose standing at home is good, would
dread having their deeds brought to light.
2 All well in Company E. .. -.--s.
In CAMP HURRICANE CREEK,(
December 9Th.
We have again moved in the direction Of
Oxford and in pursuit Of the enemy, but
will remain here a day or two.
l have not time to write more as the ex.
press goes out forthwith.
Letters should come by way Of Cairo to
the 27th Iowa infantry.
Yours, Truly, Tuos. G. DRIPs.