Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-05-01
|oUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE,
THIRrY-FIrrH Iowa REGIMENT, b.
OK BOARD STEAMER CHAMPION,

HELENA, ARK, April 16, 1887
The 35th was relieved of duty at Cairo b.
the l4th Iowa, on Sunday, the 18th inst.
and arrived safely at this place on the nigh
of the 14th, per steamer Champion. W.
were twenty four hours at Memphis. Com
panies E and H were to join us there, but fail
ed to come 'Hi 8" iAtai'4. '..
4 Few places on the river make as good al
impression on stranger, at sight, as Mem
phis. Here we had the pleasure of taking by
the hand Col Hatch. of the Second Iowa Cav
airy. He is looking Arst-rate, and know.
how to hate rebel, and how to deal with
him, too. We also met Messrs. Harlan
McGreer, Pinkham, and Judge Williams :
We had time to visit the Notifications, &c.
also the fine park, with the monument O
Gen. jackson; surmounted by his statue.
On the north side these words are engraved
1.-The Federal Union-it must be preserved y
The word Federal is partially erased : nc
doubt the work Of some villainous rebel. Il
is, however, doing its work in the right di
rection, as thousands of northern soldiers
gaze upon it and see the depth of meanness
to which the boasted southern chivalry has
sunk. 1t prepares them for the conflict to
which they are hastening. "By their fruits
shall ye know them" Imagine the scene
had it been possible for "Old Hickory" to
have risen from his sleep and caught the vii
lain in the act! But we have those in Iowa
that claim to be Jackson Democrats. who,
judging from their words, would do the same
thing.
The strictest military rule prevails in Mem
phis Many of the best residences, and
whole blocks are used by the government
Gems. Hurlbut and Lauman are here.
At t3P.N., Tuesday, we were again on our
winding way. The river is so crooked that
there might be danger of it crossing itself.
The "boys" of the regiment are all cheer
full and happy. We left behind about 60
sick in the hospital. About 25 have died and
about Is discharged. The 35th is now con-
sidered in first rate condition. The weather
is quite warm the green foliage and bloom
ing roses tell us summer is near.
My impression of Helena is much better
than expected. Along the landing it is
very low, but one-third of mile back very
hilly, and does not have that unhealthy ap-
pearance that had heard so much about
Maj. Gen. Prentiss commands. Brigadier Gen
erals German, Ross, Fitch and Sullivan are
here. Many of the troops formerly here
have gone below. The oath left Saturday
We expect to find them at Miliken's Bend.
Major Wright is here, and says he likes the
service much better than he expected. 1t
certainly agrees with him, judging by his
looks. The Oath regiment now numbers
about 675 men fit for duty. The 29th, SD
and seth Iowa Infantry, aud the Sd and 4th
cavalry, and the Sd Iowa battery are here, in
much better condition than expected to see
them. ..-
I have just returned from battalion drill
of 800 negroes, reviewed by Gen. Prentiss.-
Their drill was as good as that of any regi-
ment ever saw, with the same amount of
practice. They appear very cheerful and
happy. Their camp is the neatest and clean
est Of any around here, so far as have seen.
They are not yet armed, but are doing heavy
fatigue duty. About one company has been
at work unloading the boat. Their white Of
ficers say they obey orders as readily as any
soldiers. They were highly complimented by
the General through their commander. Col.
Wood, who also told them that Uncle Sam
had done much for them, and would do more
this was the year of juLiiee to them-and
that in return he expected much from them.
The three rousing cheers for Gen. Prentiss,
and three more for the old Union, with hats
in the air and great display of ivory" told
plainly that they were ready. Rebels, stand
from under! That dark cloud has thunder
and lightning in it.
Tell our friends we are not discouraged =
We believe we can see light dawning. Much
more fighting and much more suffering, no
doubt, but increased confidence that our cause
is just, and in the power of our Government.
God is overturning and oyerturning, and in
the end the right shall prevail. HENRY.