Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-02-06
Correspondence Of the Gazette.
FROM THE THIRD IOWA,

Jan. 2. The New Years holiday i.
over, and | aiu certain that seven or eigh
thousand men never spent it having fewer
drunk than did we. Not because we hat
formed ourselves into temperance society
but because Bacchus has not furnished u,
with his favorite beverage Of late. New
Years Eve had to be celebrated in some
shape, and at least in one sense it was done
by having grand tumble and sober spree
In the night we were aroused from our slum
bcrS by music from one Of the brass bands
The music the band furnished was beauti
ful, or at least seemed so to us as we lay ir
our hunks and listened to its sweet strains
As yet We have received no mail since We
left Yockna Creek, and Of course no news
though the camp has been full Of rumor.
both favorable and unfavorable. One day
it is that Burnside has been victorious ant
Richmond and Charleston taken next Burn
side has been thrashed---Co Corinth taken ant
Bragg threatening jackson. Then news
that peace had been declared, and the troops
already on the move for home. Then again
the tale turns. Burnside has resigned, also
Seward and Halleck, and Fremont has coin.
mand. Then comes news Of a great battle
below Nashville, and another with Forest
and his troops.
Such are a few Of the rumo rs that float
through the camp when we arc without
mails or paper :. But we are promised let
ters to morrow and then we hope that this
mystery, this darkness will be cleared up.
At least We can know, som thing from our
friends, and perhaps gct some county
newspaper with its --latest by Telegraph" D."
The weather Is much like autumn in the
north. The leaves are dead and have fallen
upon the ground, and the wind whistles and
rustles through them. as have listened to
Lhcm in my childhood. The trees stick out
heir naked limbs, save here anG there an
that keeps on ITS summer robe.
Among these is the beautiful hawthorn with
It's great prickly leaves. We are out on pick
It to day, in on oak forest. The boys lay
scattered around in squads, some playing
,ards, others reading, each amusing himself
IS lest he can.7sswtv Nz-a.aH
Jan. 8. Last night closed in rainy, and
'ur situation was any ything but pleasant
You can imagine hundred or two Of Us wet
o the hide stragslins into camp this morn.
ng. To-day it has continued to rain, and
hight has already set in for terrible storm.
Jan. 5. Marched l3 miles and camped at
Holly Springs. We found the town chang
I'd somewhat from its appearance when We
asst passed through it. Our ammunition
md stores had been placed in soune Of tina
arge buildings on one side Of the public
quare, and when, these were destroyed by
he rebels, the explosion destroyed the ada.
:ent buildings, and broke out nearly all the
,lass in the windows in town. Dwellings
hat contained familie, exhibited windows
'atch.d with boards, cloth, pape-, and rags.
some Of the brick buildings that were de-
troycd did not leave the mark Of brick
vail. The court house in the center Of the
'quare was nearly ruined. zs
Jan. 10. We have laid on our arms all
lay, under orders to march but did not get
tarted until in the evening, and reached
Gold Water in season to roll ourselves up in
'ur blankets at about o clock in the morn
ng. Our march though only 6 miles was
luite fatigaing for the roads had been rcn.
|ered muddy by the late rains. The troops
id good bye to Holly Springs with ven-
,eance. The truth is at the time Van Dorm
made his raid into Holly Springs. the men
eized clubs. axes, &c.. ready to pitch IN and
he women exhibited the widest joy and
ould not restrain themselves from insulting
ur soldiers, who had bven so unfortunate
s to be taken prisoners. This enraged the
olders, and nothing but the most active ex-
rcise upon the part OF the Provost Marshal
aved the entire town fiom being burned.
he two last nights We were there the sky
Eas lighted up by the burning buildings
)ne half Of the town had been destroyed. I
ind that among the country people but lit,
le sympathy is felt Tor the people there for
hey are stided nscked and proud people,