Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-02-18
LETTER FROM THE TWENTIETH
CAMP ScHorIELD, (THREE WIpows,) !
Mo-. Feb. 9. 1863

Mo-, Feb. 8, 1868.
When, at the close Of one of the most
active, if not the most decisive cam
paign OF the war, one sets down to rest
from his labors,and preserve his rength
for future operations, suppose that he
need ask pardon OF nobody il he in
dulges his natural propensity to review
the scenes through which he has passed.
At any rate propose indulging" in that
way in this letter.
On the 9TH Of last September tho 2oth
left Davenport for st. Louis, at which
place we staid just week, when we took
the cars for Rolla, from whence we start
ed, on the second day after our arrival,
for Springfeld,in company with the goth
Wisconsin, oath Illinois and 10Th Iowa,
br gadcd together and under command
Of Gen. Heron. We were not mo
ment too soon to arrive in Springfield
The rebels had collected large force in
the south western counties of Missouri,
and under leaders whom, they trusted,
threatened to oyer-run the interior of the
State nay, even, to eat their Christmas
dinners in St. Louis.
Five days were spent in Springfield in
organizing brigades and divisions, and
fitting up our appointments ready for
the field, and jus: as soon AS everything
was ready, We marched to Camp Nc
Cellan, at Pond Springs, where it WAS
intended that we should stay for some
weeks and drill, but the rebels interiercd
with that arrangement, and the next day
after our arrival, we lay all day listening
to the cannon, some 60 miles distant,
which were fiied at the rather unlucky
fight at Newtonia. On the first day of
October we began the real business Of
the campaign, where every march was
forced march beginning with lively
hope OF meeting the rebels, and ending
with the vexatious disappointment of be-
ing always on the ground an hour or two
too late.
However if they didn't fight they ran,
without fighting us from Cassvi!le, Pea
Ridge, Cross Holows, Newtonia and
Huntsville Blunt had little fight at
Mavsvilc, and on the 9th OF October
we occupied Fayetteville without oppo
sition.
While staying at this place, and near
" ready to pursue the enemy through the
Businesses Of the dreaded Boston Noun
tains, Gen. Curtis announced that the
Army Of the::Frontier had gallantly and
successfully accomplished its mission, and
recalled us to Missouri.
On the 4th Of October we had driven
the enemy from his stone-wall entrench
Inents.
On the 4th of November we encamp-
ed at the "Threc Widows" bound north.
We had chased the enemy beyond the
Boston Mountains, distance of over a
hundred and fifty miles. The campaign
had closed without our having seen re-
bel under arms.
After month spent in Missouri, dur
ing which time ] suppose that Gen. Cur
It's was maturing his plans, and practiclng
little strategy" we suddenly received
orders, and in obedience to which We
found ourselves on the 4th OF December
again encamped at "Ihree Widows"
bound south, and making what General
Blunt called in his orders, issued after
the battle, the ''unprecented march OF one
hundred and ten miles in little more
than three days"
The morning Of the 7th of December
brought us face to face with the foe. The
long desired and persistently sought for
tete-a-t.te was granted at last, and bat
tie was fought which was victory fol
us, only because Of the inefable folly
stupidity, imbecility or madness, don''
know what to call it, of Geseral Hind
man. A battle in which three thousand
at the most, Of infantry. had the hardi
hood to attack twenty thousand, at least
on their own chosen field, and held then
actively engaged, with enough to dc
to hold their ground until the welcome
arrival OF rcintorcements decided the da,
in our favor.
For nearly four weeks We rested OF
the battlefield. Then came the marci
to Van Buren,, which had the effect o
opening the eyes Of the people to til,
falsehood Of Hindmsns pretensions tina
he had gained great victory over 9TH,
infamous invaders fthe sacred soil o
Arkansas )" and to the utter hopelessues'
Of the rebellion.
Since We have been here good many
Of the boys have joined us from Spring
field. They tell some pretty big stories
Of affairs in the recent fight at that place
Why just imagine how little fellow o.
not more than seventeen. and toc