The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-04-21
CAMP OF THE 5th Iowa, NEAR HELENA ARK.

CAMP OF THE 5th Iowa, NEAR HELENA ARK.
FRIEND RIcn Since l wrote you
last, nothing Of interest has occurred, save
that we embarked on board the " Henry
Van Phul," and left Memphis Sd OF
March, steamed down the river, and
landed within few miles Of Lake Provi-
dence (some 90 miles from Vicksburg, }
remained there two days, then re en-
barked and returned, landing six miles
south of Helena, and 80 from Memphis,
Tenn, and laid in the swamps Of Arkan
sas, until the 23l (nearly opposite the
Yazoo Cut OF, when we embarked on
board The fine little steamer Armada,
and after due preparations for hazard
Gus and tedious expedition, we started,
and finally entered the Pass, which
winds its way through an impenarable
forest on either side, of cypress, syca-
more, cottonwood, elm and gum, and
thick underground of cane. The
stream varies from forty to seventy feet
in width, and the crookedest of all the
crooked under the sun. Our progress was
OF necessity very slow, and required the
utmost care and attention to manage our
boat. We passed the Jenny Lind and
the Luella, having run upon a snag and
sunk, but fortunately they were got out Of
| the channel before sinking. and left no
impeachment in our way. Wewere four
days reaching Coldwater, distance of
only fourteen miles, and our little boat
much dilapdaled by its oft collision
with trees projecting over the stream.
Coldwater is not unlike the Pass, ex-
cept in being little wider.
March 25 We were overtaken by the
steamer Jennie Bowen, asking The priyil-
age to pass Us, having on board ammu-
milton and dispatches.
MARCH 3O.-We entered the Tai.
lahatchie some fifty miles from where
we entered Coldwacr. This river is
much wider, and less distractions The
day was quite cold, with considerable
snow falling.
APRIL 2l.-A drowned man was dis
covered floating on the water, Colonel
Boomer, acting Brigadier, ordered his
boat to stop, and had the corps picked
Iup and buried, a very humane act indeed
We continued and finally landed few
miles from Greenwood, at which place
the rebels had planted battery. This
is one hundred and forty miles from
where we entered the Tallahatchic.
Gen. Ross division was in the advance
cannonading WAS heard, and believe
somewhat OF AN engagement ensued bu,
the result | cannot learn, for about the
time We supposed a general engagement
would commence, Ross's and Quinby s
divisions were ordered back, and on the
9th Of April we started up stream. Now
all this seems strange TO the uniformed,
and although il is dull and tedious life
when we can see but little accomplished.
we yet remember the words of our
most excellent President, that, It's
q big job" and destined to bring about
great results. We feel encouraged. hay
ing implicit confidence that the strong
arm and intellect which has led this
army on to glorious victory SO often,
! will eventually consummate our hopes
10 a glorious triumph, and perpetnate
peace ard happiness
h We experienced less difficulty in our
return trip, the boat being more easily
managed against the current When
we entered Moon Lake, which is only a
short distance from the Mississippi the
boys gave three cheers. After getting
! through the lake, there remained about
half mile of the pass to go through
befor getting into the Father of waters,
which should he called Moon Lake Pass
This accomplished the stars and stripes
were hoisted, and then three more
hearty cheers given. This great river
looked to us larger than ever before.
doubtless on account Of our being in the
narrow pass so long. We all feel better
now. and hope there was more accom-
plished than we could see at present,
4 The cutting Of the levee near the Miss
! issippi, inundated the whole country
through which we passed, SO that but
little can be made available. We land
ed about five miles south Of Helena.
Arkansas. The water has fallen some
! fifteen inches since we left, which makes
our camp more tenable and pleasant,
The health of the regiment is very good
there being but few In the hospital,
mostly cases Of diarrhea. II is hard 10
tell now. what disposition viii be made