Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-05-15
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP JEWELL, VERNON Co., Mo. I


Six miles east OF Fort Scott, Apr. 26.y
DEAR JouRNAL:-Since my last was writ
ten, / have enjoyed the pleasure of flying
visit to Indiana and Iowa. About thirty men
were allowed furloughs under the late act of
Congress, granting to commanders of regi-
ments power to furlough five per cent. of the
non commissioned officers and privates of their
commands. These left Camp Solomon, fifty
miles west Of Springfield, on the 18th Of
March, and soon after the 9Th, 10th and 18th
Kansas regiments, and LIST Kansas battery
were ordered to Fort Scott by Col. Wier, then
in command of the 1st District Army of the
frontier.
Arriving at Fort Scott April 1st, the men
of these regiments were allowed to 60 home,
with orders to report on the 9th. This was
done by permission of Col. Wier, and the
regiments ut once spread theDsselues oil over
Kansas. Subsequent orders were issued re-
calling them to Fort Scott by the 21st, but
up to this date the principal part Of three
companies OF the 10th have not reported
Col. Wier, in person, remained with these
regiments of his division, not belonging to
Kansas, at Forsyth, Mo. In parting with the
Kansas regiments. he took occasion to make
little speech, in which he reflected some
what severely upon the conduct of certain
General at Prairie Grove, also giving Gen.
Lane some heavy rounds of grape and can
mister, for oil which he is now under arrest,
so late accounts from Springfield say, by Or
der of Gen Curtis. Generals Blunt and Heron
both lay claim to the Kansas regiments Her.
ron having superseded Schofeld in command
of the army of the frontier, of which our
regiments formed part, would seem to have
superior claims over Blunt, he having been
appointed to the command Of new district
comprising Kansas, Nebraska, Indian Nation
and Colorado Territory.
1t is to be hoped they will not come to
blows about it. AS far as the men are con.
cerncd, believe a large majority would find
| it difficult to decide between the two. Both
are fighting Generals, and they have hitherto
worked charmingly together.
Yesterday orders were issued to hold our
selves in readiness to march on Sunday, Goth
(to-morrow.) Although we are not officially
informed as to the direction we are to move
the general impression is that we 60 toward
Springfield, which would seem to indicate
that we are yet under Gen. Herron's orders.
The LIST Kansas Reg. (colored) is at Fort
Scott at present. 1t numbers about $50 men
who are in a high state of discipline. Al
this time they are engaged in terrifying the
place. Extensive earthworks are being erect
ed, and some big guns show their black muz
lies in quite belligerent attitude.
Lieut.. Col John L. Burris, who, for year
past, has been Post Commandant at Fort
Leavenworlh, has been relieved at his own
request, and assumes command of the regi.
ment COL Adams, of the 18th Kansas, is in
command at Leavenworth. He is son-in-law
of Gen. James Henry Lane.
The bushwhacking band that lately cap
tured and robbed the steamer Sam Gaty has
met with severe punishment since the perpe
tration of that outrage. Major Ransom, with
two companies of the 9Th Kansas, has been
steadily in pursuit of them, aided by an in.
dependent company known hereaway as the
Red Legs" and up to latest dates from Kan.
sas City, about thirty five of the rascals had
been killed, number of houses burned, where
they had been harbored, and considerable
stock captured.
All but eighteen Of the contrabands on
board the steamer at the time have been heard
FROM Some of them are now in the United
States service as soldiers of the 1st colored
regiment Yours, as ever,
| f. Fl G. -