Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-12-12
FROM THE THIRD IOWA.
OF ths Gazette.
On THIS MARCH, Dec %, 1862

81 FHOM 1HtE THIRD IO NAs
y Correspondence of the Gazette.
I'll On THIS MARCH, Dec. %, 1862. e
In spite Of predictions and important DIES.
patches from newspaper correspondents our
army still remains at this place, La Grange,
Nov. 27,) though we are daily expecting the
order to move forward. Since my last letter
we have occupied our time in marches and
reviews.
Nov. 23d. The Sd Iowa and 41st Illinois,
marched to Summerville, distant Is miles,
and back. 1t was one of the most atiguing
marches that we have ever made. Many Of
the boys were without socks and consequent
ly soon became footsore The march was
wild goose" chase and amounted to moth
ing more than capturing one or two prisoners.
| Nov. Goth. The Sd Iowa went out with
forage trains some eight miles into the coun-
try, making 4s miles that we have marched
in one week,
Nov. %. To-day we marched II miles
and camped near La Mar, Miss. The day
was cold and owing to the length Of the train
we were compelled to make many halts.-
Fires were built by the roadside, and these
frequently catching in the fences and the
grass laid waste several plantations. AS
we came near La Mar in the evening on our
left the fences for miles were in flames, and
in our advance the mansions and negro huts
upon the hill were going down before the
! ri oil ,ntn
camp it was already night and the iurid fires
ofwar lighted up the scene.
During the night it showed just enough to
ice over our knapsacks little.
Nov. 80. Marched during the day as far
as Cold Water Creek, where we stopped for
the trains to get out Of our way and for rest.
Soon after we had set down in came an Ohio
regiment and passing by a fence in our rear
each man stepped out and took from one to
three rails. fell in again, and marched on into
camp. In the space Of 10 minutes the whole
line Of fence had disappeared. At 8 O'Clock
in the evening We started on and marched to
Holly Springs where we camped for the
asst boiled beef and ham, butter, sweet pota-
toes, sugar, syrup, preserves, jellies, &c, be-
sides ten gallon keg of persimmon wine,
strong enough lay up one of our good tenn
perance bcys. Thus far our march has been
tedious, for we have been obliged to carry
our knapsacks upon our backs and three
days ratiens in our haversacks. Through
out our whole roue thus far the cornfelds
arc unpickcd. The truth is, many of the
planters have been deserted by their slaves,
while others are so strongly secesh that they
prefer to let it 60 to waste rather than to sell
it to Yankees.
Nov 80. Marched seven miles and camp
ed one mile beyond Tompkins' Mills. The
country over which we have passed to day
is rough and ragged, and reminds one much
of New England. The advance Of our army
has been feeling Of the enemy all day, and
tonight leave them in Notifications at q
stream eight miles beyond this place. We
camped in the advance, putting up our tents
and preparing for storm that came in the
night with terrible fury.
Dec. l. We awaked this morning expec
ting the ball would open early, but the en-
envy have .rctreltcl across the stream
So today we are all in camp preparing for II
move. The hills in the distance are white
with tents, and reminds one Of the White
Hills Of n. IL. some morning late in Au-
tumn Old Price, like the bow in the heav-
ems, retreats as we advance. Won't some
good grandmother promise Us a bag Of
spoons if we catch him?
Dec 2. To-day is cold and damp, the
troops are moving to the front, but the 18th
Div. will not move to-day, at least. The rains
will make it tedious to march and to move
our trains and artillery Our company con-
trabands accompany us and render us
much service in cooking, &c. Some Of them
are inclined to little fun. One of them, a
few nights since, dressed himself up in wo-
mems clothes, and coming up to the tent,
enticed out one of the boys. Our gay Lo-
tharo put his arms around the pretended
wench's waist, when away went the negro
in the darkness and cound not be found
The next morning the joke leaked out that
our mess mate had been hugging our cook.
We have orders to go forward in the morn
ing.
ST. CHARLES.