Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-06-06
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP llTH Iowa INFANTRY,

CAMP 18th IOWA INFANTRY,
NEAR CoR1NrH, Miss, May Goth, '62. !
DEAR JOURNAL: An opportunity is afforded
me, through the medium of a friend, by which
l may rely with some certainty of commu
nication reaching you. therefore sieze upor
this as being the only sure chance by which
. direct communication may be had between
the grand army now before Corinth and the
civilians Of Iowa. and other States. In .
communication, which mailed you a week
since, l gave you the particulars of late or
der issued by Gen. Halleck, excluding all the
army correspondents from within the lines,
excepting those regularly enlisted in the
United States service. The reasons which
prompted this order are obvious. st 10
exclude all the means by which information
can possibly reach the enemy. I'd. To pre-
vent an accumulation of frightened boobies,
dressed in fine linens, &C., who would, upon
the approach of the enemy, stampede, and
thereby create confusion and decentralization.
It is needless to state additional reasons the
two mentioned are of sufficient import to
warrant the issuing of the order alluded to-,
and there are few in this great army, except
ing the reporters, but what concur in the
views enunciated by Gen. Halleck, relative to
the exclusion of civilians from within the
lines of the army now operating in Missis
sippi.
presume that the people of the North are
in daily expectancy of startling news from
this quarter. Well, they may look, and I
may add, the probabilities are that it will be
some time yet before their eager eyes will
catch glimpse of startling leaders in the tel
egraphic columns of the newspapers, announc-
ing bloody battle fought at Corinth. In
vain we conjecture. Our prophecies are false,
and we have to acknowledge that there is a
mystery connected with the movements of
this army which the future alone will reveal
the wisdom Of Here we are, and here we
have been for nearly week, strongly forti-
fed, in a position that enables us, with ease,
to reach the cnemy's outer works with our
field pieces, and still all is quiet, with the cx-
ception of mn occasional discharge of musket-
~ by the opposing pickets. of course, we
have not the presumption to criticise the
movements of our Generals, as We have not
the means Of ascertaining their modus oper-
and. Everything now indicates that the
policy Of Gen. Halleek is to reduce Corinth
by siege. This, perhaps, is the safest policy,
and, without doubt, the surest. Their COM
(the rebel is now nearly cut off, |
When this result is effectualy accomplished
the grand army of the Confederates will be
forced to capitulate or else meet US outside of
their breast works; either of which, to the
Northern army, would be satisfactory, and to
he secesh certain destruction.
To-day, on our left, at intervals, we can
hear the firing of artillery. As yet
have not learned the cause, but a report is
circulated to the effect that Pope has planted
! battery in position, enabling him to reach,
With shell. the enemy's railroad. If the re-
bort should prove true imagine that railroad
raveling in and around Corinth, will be con-
lucted under great difficulties.
There is considerable sickness in our camps.
The boys of the 18th, however, are enjoying
EXCELLENT health. What hurts them the
worst is the into!erable heat of the Southern
sun. We expect that this inconvenience will
,e obviated so soon as we become thoroughly
cclimated, which process we are now under
,oing.
P. R. Bohn, sutler of the 18th Iowa, leaves
lere, tomorrow. for Muscatne. Mr.. BONN
las been with US now for many weeks, and
vill take with him me ssages from the boys
o their friends. We wish him pleasant
quincy and safe return. From him you will
earn many facts which have not the time
0 communicate. More anon. E. G. II.