Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-05-22
FROM THE THIRD IOWA.

. MEMPHIS, TENN, Nav 9th, 1858.
The summer days have been passing and
often have l taken my pen to write my usual
letter to the GAZETTE, but the dullness OF
camp life has given me but little to write that
| supposed would be of interest to your
readers. We have had but few scares since
we came here. Only once has the "long
roll alarmed the camp, and then, instead OF
its producing that nervous, uncertain feeling
that sometimes is occasioned by it, it was
greeted with cry Of joy; there was pros.
pect, show of excitement. Companies l
and K were favored with little change a
few days ago. We were detailed to escort a
batch Of rebel prisones up to Alton, Illinois.
We started out of camp on the 9th of last
month in shower, but it soon cleared off.
We got under way at 7 in the evening and
reached Fort Pillow early the next morning.
The fort has changed its appearance very
much since it was abandoned by the rebels.
The extensive drill ground just above it has
all been washed out by the high water, and
so has most Of the water batteries. The
guns have all been taken away. We passed
Island No. 10 in the evening 30 that we did
not have much Of a view Of that place, and
we were alike unlucky in that respect upon
our return trip. ...Es....
We arrived at Alton, Illinois, on the Goth,
in the evening, safe ard sound 1t was the
| first time we had set foot upon free soil for q
year and half, and We improved the short
time we were to stay there to the best advan.
tage. The connandant Of the place told us
if we did not keep still he would have to ar
rest US. We told him how long VIC had been
sojourning in Dixie and we wanted to enjoy
what little time we had to stay there. He
very kindly told us to "wadc in two
| o'clock in the morning, however, found us
quietly in our hunks. Next morning we
started for st. Louis. 1t seemed half sad to
turn the prov Of our boat southwark, know.
ing that it was to carry us where we must tar.
ry for months mid hardships and perils-
We stopped day at St. Louis and paid the
Gray Boards visit. They form good reg
lment and arc doing excellent service for
their country. Among tho number we saw
Mr.. Coburn, also his family. lie seems to
stand the service quite well. Upon the oc-
casion Of seeing an old and familiar face
from the Falls must confess that broke
over my usual temperate habit and for once
took "smile." We left St. Louis on the
fine Steamer Won Phul. We had for com.
pany detachment from the 14th Illinois,.
TO say that we had a " time" would hardly
be expressive enough. My readers can term
it what they please after tell them that we
used up the contents of about 20 casks of
beer besides few boxes of wine for trim
nings. rars
AtCape Glraradcau we got up considerable
of fuss with the 1st Nebraska. II was
commenced by the Nebraska men being a
little rough with some of our boys, who had
just stepped shore to enquire after some
friends stationed there. TIE guards pushed
one 2. our boys over and set out to strike one
with his musket. This led to words fierce
and loud, pretty soon one Of the officers or
dered the guard to fire upon us, in an in
slant the shuck of balls down the guns cod
be heard all over the boat. The affair quiet.
ed down, however, until just as the boat was
pushing of, when the boys let drive with a
perfect shower Of eggs, and well covered the
guards, who Immediately beat hasty retreat
amid shouts from those on board the boat
and from the crowd that had collected on
shore. We arrived at camp on the morning
of May the 9th, somewhat tired from our
long trip and really glad to get once more in
to our tents.
The weather Of late has been quite chang.
able. On the 25th of April we had regula,
hail storm some of the hail falling being an
inch in diameter, and on the 9th and 7th of
this month it was SO cold that VIC wore our
over-coats all day. To-day it is very hot and
one wants to keep in the shade.
l presume that you are all aware that j.
7. Boggs has been appointed I'd Lieut.. in our
company. l do not write to tell you the
chagrin that the company feels on account Of
the action taken in this matter BY the people
OF the Falls. A fair vote was had in the
company, upon which Orderly scrg't Pulvsr
received all but z votes, for Cd Lieut.. He
was recommended for promotion by the Cap
tain. Of course the action of outsiders in
opposition to the expression Of the company
and the Recommendation of.a Capt. that is
almost idolized BY his men, could be looked
upon and received BY the company, only As
direct insult and outrage upon both the
Captain and company. We had thought BE-
fore that the people Of the Falls were friends
to US, but their action bellies the term. So
far IS the objection that Pulver is disloyal
is concerned, We know that in the army he