The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-12-31
FROM the nth Iowa.
CAMP OF THE 18th Iowa Vol. INF.
Nesr Bridgeport, Ala, Dec. Is. 1868,
Messfs Flint and BURTON,


Head of Salt River,
As am an old friend ct yours, and as
you have at last arrived at political Head :
quarters, thought it would not be amiss
for me to drop you line from this remote
portion of the Earth. | am in pretty good
health and spirits, and so are all men in
this part of our Amy We expect soon to
crush the rebellion, conquer peace and re-
turn home in triumph, but as understood
you were both peace men, will not troub-
lie you with military news. My principal
object in addressing you at this time is to
gain information. | wish to know what
kind of a country you have up there, what
the productions of the country, whether
cotton grows in your climate, whether slave
labor would be profitable, and whether it
would be a good place for the recruiting
for the army mean the Union Army. |
wish to be informed as to the habits and
customs Of the present population of the
Salt River country, as a great many of my
old political friends have gone up there tins
year. If any have renowned their Union
sentiments wish to know it, and if any
one is afraid of the draft, let me know who
they are and what counties they are from.
I want you to be sure and secure, rood
claim for Brother Vallandigha,n, as he may
see the error Of his way and repent, if he
does SO, no doubt Uncle Abraham will par
don him, as Uncle Is kind hearted old
man and loves to see evil doors turn from
the error of their ways, and become Loyal
citizens. Think you might venture to build
a cabin on the claim you secure for Broth
er Vallandigham, and fence in some land
for pasture. II you need any help can Sc.
cure the services Of any number Of Contra
bands you may require, and as the District
Of Salt River is not an organized Territory,
/ do not think it would come in conflict
with any existing Constitution or Law on
that subject.
should be pleased to make you visit
per, but as we look for stirring times, shall
not be able to do so this winter 1t would
be great satisfaction to me to see the ma.
ny etnigrants from Iowa to your new home.
Why bless me, General Tuttlc is there and
we might have drills, dress paroles and re-
views, inspections and payments. Then
you have others ofnotoristy. There is, Dun
comb who used to vote against every thing
connected with raising troops or paying
them, and Mason, and a host OF others too
tedious to mention. should think you
would all get along we'll enough together ex
cept General Tuttle and Duncomb. and as
they ran together on the same ticket and
were beaten, they too may get along we'll
enough. think it was very bad policy IN
the Iowa Democracy to come out on the
Vallandigham platform and would advise
yon never to do SO again. Why you mus t
have been blind to think that the loyal pc :.
pie Of Iowa could gulp down at once so
heavy doce of Treason to the Government.
Every sensible man knows that vallandig.,
ham is condemned and banished Traitor,
and think the politicians ID Iowa tried to.
impose npon the soldiers, when they sent
tickets to US with the picture of a soldier on
them aud the name Of Duncomb on the same
ticket honor General futile AS an officer
md soldier but think he vas in bad com