The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-06-11
rn.Y.w. nr,smae at vick sbnrg.
PIONEER CoRps, 7rH Division,
18th ARMY CoRrs,
VtcKsBuRG, May 81, 1868.

18th ARMY CoRrs,
VtcKsBuRG, May 81, 1868.
Editor Gate City Since my former
communication 10 you from Grand Gulf
we have rejoined our brigade at vicks-
burg, and found it badly cut up. The
loss in my regiment. the old 18th Iowa,
has already been reported. 1t was aproud
day for me when arrived and found the
galantry of the regiment the theme Of
general admiration, the gallant conduc,
of both Colouel d. b, Hills aud Lieut.
Co. Clark R. Weaver was conspicuous
and never excelled by any officer in the
field during this or any other war, l
was panied to hear that my old friend,
Capt. Newton, was on his way home, se-
verely wounded. He is brave man-an
undisputabiy brave man-and feel proud
that he has won for himself honorable
distinction.
Lieuts. Mcneil and Scroggs also dis
tinguish ed themselves. / could speak for
all the line officers with credit. but par
.ticularly identify those mentioned as be-
longing to my own company.
1t. Tower, formerly Of my company, /
regret to state, has lost limb, But heard
from Surgeon who yesterday arrived
from Jackson report that the wound was
doing well, and ii is to be hoped that he
will be sufficiently recovered to enable
him to rejoin his family. cannot omit
mention Of the gallant conduct of our Ad-
jutant, who behaved with unsurpassed
bravery be had his horse shot from under
him.
Gen. Croker commanded the division;
his gallant, / may say, almost reckless
daring, my feeble pen is inadequate to
describs--he has made his mark in the
history Of his country, and when the flu.
ture historic description of the battles,
the hardest fought battles of war, "Cham.
pion Hills and Jackson are brought
before the public, Gen Crosker will re-
ceve the fame be SO Justly merits.
Gen. Quimby is still in feeble hea lth,
and although advised by his friends to
take sick leave be stoutly refuses, and
like an old war horse feels strong again at
the sound of battle He feels naturally
proud of his division (the 7th) that has
never yet during the whole struggle
thought of anything but victory resting
on their banners in every fresh engage
ment.
exp ect hourly an order to rejoin my
regiment, which / shall be glad of and
again share the giories of the old 18th.
Oar batteries are distant about from
500 to 600 yards from the rebel fortifca-
tions, which nature has aided in eyery
way to render almost impregnable. Eve
ry mound and hill is heavily fortified, aud
only to be got at By passing deep rayines
in the face of q calling FIRE, rendering it
impossible to storm without fearful loss
of life.
Our bombardment is still kept up un-
til both rebel and our own batteries are
entirely obscured by smoke. Our sharp.
shooters are fairly within $50 yards of
their Notifications, and when an effort il
made 70 load their guns the men are pick.
ed OF by our boys as soon as they show
themselves large enough for bullet hole.
The incessant roar Of the artillery and
bursting of shell seems during the d ight
like q gigantic display of fireworks, and
seem to be regarded as such by most of
us-so men may habituate themselves to
almost any thing
The health of the boys is good and they
are 10 excellent spirits and are ready at
any time or At amy odas to do battle for
the maintenance of the glorious old Gag
Of our country.
have to acknowledge the receipt Of
several packages Of your valuable and in
terestlug paper, which distributed to
the several regiments Of lows boys that
are here and forward their thanks and
good wishes In return. Hoping that my
next letter may date from this city,
have the honor to be, Sir,