The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-01-15
COrrespondence.
Helena, Ark nec. -.

I1clen8s kAVA 4vCCs Do
Mr.. Editor.
Perhaps the readers Of the Transcript
would like to hear . word from the
army boys. We reached this part the
goth Of Nov. and went into encamp-
ment. Our camp Is on the bank Of the
river 2 miles above the town. At pre-
sent quite healthy but in hot weather it
must be unhealthy, as the land is low
and marshy. Helena is town Of south
rem style, containing in its prosperous
days about 1000 inhabitants. It lacks
the sprightly appearance Of northern
towns as do all the villages I have seen
in the South. No doubt their appear
ance is much more dispossessing now
than before the war, but they never
could ::have stood up deccntly BY the
side of Yankee towns, even on western
prairies. What is true of towns and vii
lagos is equally true Of farms and plan
ta,ions. A few are neat and comfortable
and even lcgant, bat the greater num-
her, far below my ideas ofthc homes of
Southern chivalry.
| On the 9th ult., an expedition left
Helena under the command of General
Hovey. The expedition numbers about
10000, having three field batteries
The object Of the expedition was to ar
rest the works OF forti6cation at Talla-
hatchie, and also to drs,roy bridges on
the Memphis aud Mississippi railroad.
Company + had 30 men out yonr cor
respondent Just went for fun. We had
several skirmishes during the trip, but
suffered little loss. The rebels wont
stand t, a square fight, and whenever
our men got fairly ready the enemy run.
Al Tallahatchie 40 miles out from Del
hi the point of starting out from the riv
er, there was skirmish in which seven
rebels were killed aud eleven taken pris
oners. AT the cross roads fourteen miles
farther on, another slight skirmish &C
Cured, one man on our side being
wounded. Near Oakland the cavalry
had sharp skir,nish, fourteen were
wounded two mortally we lost one
gun and took two prisoners. The en-
emy having surprised our cavalry for
few moments created confusion and
captured two guns, hut soon they form
ed in line anil charged and took one
back. Tho enemy were successful in
getting off with one gun. They had a
large force few miles back Of Oakland
and colored man said that Prices main
force was but 20 miles away. 300 men
the 2sth and 500 from the s0th were
thrown forward with the cavalry 1000
strong, to this t.,wa. Cannon were dis
tinctly heard during the evening, sup
posed to be skirmishing between Sher-
mans forces and Prices.
Oakland is a pretty, rural village on
the Memphis 4 Mississippi railroad,
about so miles from uelena, south east.
The main work Of the expedition was
the destruction Of the railroad bridge
over the Taiahatchie near Grenada.
The 2Sth lost one man. The last night
we xere out Just after we encamped o.
rather biyouaoed q guerilla Sand rode
in upon our camp and shot one man
killing him instantly. A comfort to all
was that few moments after three
scouts shot one Of the villains dead and
took two prisoners
I Among the prisoners taken vas one
Lieut.. a well informed man. Some Of
the remarks made by one Of the prison
ers an intelligent man deem worthy Of
record especially for The comfort OF Our
democratic friends. The following re-
marks I penned Immediately after the
conversation and viii youch Tor their
: statement. Speaking Of Gen. McClel-
Ian he said that he was the only General
e of ability in the Northern Army. He
was respected by the South because he
!. conducted The war constitutionally.
Speaking Of the fall elections he SAID :
J "The south hailed with Joy the victories
of the democratic party in the recent
2 elections and that they hoped by some
: means to worryit it (the wary through
8 until the Democratic party came into
power and then the whole matter could
! be settled to the satisfaction Of the
{ South" Cheer up ye democratic wheel
, horses your zeal and toll is duly ap.
J preciated. Heaven knows you deserve
, praise from southern allies, and they
! most cheeFuliy award It. 4 word to
| loyal men who have been hoodwinked
! by party leaders. Remember that nor
thorn votes may do more to aid thii