The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-04-08

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Army Correspondence.
CAMP REED, JACKSON. Tenn.,l
! March %, 1868.
! DEAR TINES :-Once more leisure hour
presents itself, and the thought occurred tc
me perhaps some Of your many readers
would like to hear from the 9th. We are
still at our old camp and together, trying
to make the most and best use Of our time
| by drill and discipline, and ain happy Ia
inform you that We arc improving rapidly,
(and will say here that this is the first op.
portuni,y of the kind offered US, since our
leaving Camp franklin, Dubuquc). on.
GERS and all take pride in trying to make
our regiment what it should be. one of the
best in the service. We undoubtedly have
the material and only want the discipline
this our Colonel will have If time will be
allowed him. He himself is bound to be in
the first class Of his rank, and has secured
the confidence and good will Of officers and
men under him. One important point
gained.
Our guard duty remains about the same
as when last wrote. Picket once in four
days, camp guard every day, and forage
occasionally. The Post Of Jackson is now
commanded by Col. James NJ. True, Of the
62d Ill. VOL. the District by Brig. Gen.
Kimball, a new appointment, formerly Gen.
Sullivap's.
Col. Gilbert has just informed me tina,
the new General in command, proposes
mounting Our regiment, if horses can be
procured. This would suit some of US
very well, whilst others Of us are better of
on foot; the majority are in favor of the
former. I am Of the opinion that it will be
Of great service to this department to have
more mounted men. The rebels around
here are all mounted, consequently infantry
are but of little use in following them up.
l see by an article in your paper of the
18th inst, that skirmish had taken place
between the rebels and the forces at this
place, in which our loss is put down at 100.
Now, We should like to know whether the
9th was engaged in it, and il so, who
were the killed, wounded, and missing, for
we know nothing of the Transactions
Capt. G. r. Miller, of Co. ], has returned
and taken command of his company, feel.
ing pretty well. He brought favors from
friends which will long be remembered.
have been asxiously looking for the
return Of three Of my men from home,
where they were left sick, viz: S. A. Miller
John BROKER, and Robert Scarf. We heard
Of their leaving home on the 18th; hope
they will be along in day or tive.
There is some prospect of our getting
paid soon. Our rolls were ordered to be
made ready, and understand the pay
master is in Jackson at this time. This
makes the boys feel much better. w.
have been out Of money so long that ",
will hardly know what to do with it wher
we get it, but suppose our families Al
home could take care of little for us, pro
viding they can get it, and think tina
some means will be provided to forward i
to them. We hear OF considerable wan
amongst some of them. hope there is NJ
one left to suffer in our county, whilst thei,
husbands and sons are fighting the battle.
Of their country. admire the patriotism
of those persons who give their ralua5l
time and talents to perpctuatc the names o
those poor, brave fellows who lose thei,
lives in their country's cause. but cannot
help thinking more Of those who, with be
coming modesty, seek out and administe,
to the wants Of those dear ones living a
home, who will suffer rather than ask pub
tic charity. The latter class have the sol
dicr's prayers and blessings, whilst tn
former have public applause.
see by your paper Of the 18th ult., tina
the good singers Of your city are giving ;
concert for the benefit Of the Sanitary So
ciety.t Now, Mcssrs. Editors, do not wisl
to throw a straw in the way Of any person
or society doing anything to alleviate thu
sudsrings Of our sick and wounded soldiers
but look upon these sanitary associations
as humbugs and speculations. Clothing
for patients are taken to clothe negro at
tendants; dainties go to feed the ravenou
appctites Of cermorants hanging arount
the hospitals as attendants, such as ware
masters and stewards; the cash to buy
wine and brandy for the surgeons to trca
their friends to, not 1.-THE goes to the sicl
man; sheets and pillow cases sometime!
find their way to the sick mans couch, ant
that is all. From tie time the none,
leaves your pockets, it is under sever,
pressure until wholly absorbed, and no ON
can account for it. OF all the money ane
etceteras Dat have been sent from on
county, doubt whether one cents wortl
benefit Of it has ever been received by sol
der in the 27th.regiment, nor have they re
ceived anything from any other county OF
state. The only way we can expect to b.
benefited by anything our people can d
for us, is to have it sent direct to the com
pany, or regiment, then if the sick do no
get it, the well will. Lieut.. s. Benjamin
will perhaps give you his experience i
hospital. ta
| Since writing the above, the train from
Memphis has arrived, bringing tho inter
gence that they were attacked near &c,
mantown by band of gucrrillas firing o