The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-05-13
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, MAY l3, 1866
Army Correspondence.

| SAMT SohlNih, ]Apih --o1 w.
Dear Times You will see that we have
changed position since I wrote you last,
we have commenced again at our old trade,
viz: chasing after fight. On last Mon
day morning about o'clock a. m. a part
of our regiment were called up to prepare
two days rations for march, and had you
been within mile of camp you would
have concluded that something was up
The drums beat, bugle called. and men
shouted. All supposed We were going to
have fight this time sure. BY daylight
all were ready and impatient to be of and
soon off we started for the railroad depot,
where the train was making ready to carry
them where they knew not nor cared, if
fight was in view.
About two hundred and twenty five of
US were out on picket about mile from
camp and hearing the noise, did not sleep
on our posts, you may be sure; about sun
rise the locomotive bell, and shrill whistle,
together with tremendous shout by the
men told us plainly that lthe boys were of,
from this till II o'clock (the time we were
relieved) the minutes passed slowly but
surely away. We hurried tocamp to find it
almost deserted.
Mr.. Tenney, did you ever return to your
home after hard days toll, and find your
family out and not know where they were.
If you have, then you can imagine our
feeling on returning to camp that day. But
another hour or so brought relief An order
came for us to follow and we were soon off
on the cars to this place, where we arrived
about s o'clock the same evening, and found
the other men Of our regiment on the same
kind Of duty they left US at-the troops at
this place having gone towards Tuscumbia,
where it is said the rebels are massing q
force, it is supposed for the purpose Of
making stroke at Rosescrans. This is
merely conjecture.
That there are rebels there, there is no
doubt, but what amount of force is not yet
made public. Our cavalry and artillery
have been skirmishing with the rebel cav
airy for several days. On last Friday they
took two small field pieces from us with a
number prisoners but ths guns and prison.
ers both were retaken, so says report. We
hear nothing from them to- day, some think
that large force is there and that we will
have battle in a few days. There is also a
rumor that Burnside passed up the Ten
nessee with gunboats aud transports, and
would get in the rear Of this rebel force. If
SO there IS chance for bagging operation,
it is not known who is in command of the
rebels.
We moved in to the camp of the SD
Illinois regiment, and are kindly cared for
by those left in charge of the camp. How
long we will remain here we cannot tell,
We may move on, and let others take our
place or we may stay until those gone re.
turn, and then we return to our old camp
at jackson. Time alone will determine.
OF one thing am pretty certain and
that is we have again chased after the fight,
only. No one dreams of Corinth ever be.
ing attacked again, it is very we'll fortified
as you are aware, and still being made more
secure. lam at this time detailed to super.
intend the work on magazine near our
camp inside the principal Notifications. All
are at work, and to-day there are warlike
appearances in Corinth-everything is hur.
ry and hustle, troops are constantly on the
move. There is report here that General
Grant has taken possession of Vicksburg
Hope it is true.
Our men arc feeling fine, we had our pay
up to the 2sth Of February, and the great
Ier part Of the money has been sent home
to the families-a small portion retained for
immediate use, and will undoubtedly be
used Immediately, for the rates here are
enormous, for everything The suffers are
making their pile.
Company E alone sent over $780,
At any rate our men are feeling fine over
it, they don't grumble at duty and there is
a marked difference in their drill.
Our regiment is very little behind most
of the old regiments. and are fast improv.
ing. Our Colonel has won the confidence
of the officers and men and feels proud o
his regiment, all are proud of him, and be-
lieve him to be true blue. Lieut.. Colonel
Major and Adjutant, are all highly esteemed
by the officers and men under them, they
arc all fighting men, and we know it. ]
will wait for to.morrow's news.
April 23d-There are no new movements
to-day except the arrival of some more re,
Inducements. Should we hear of fight
soon I will try and give you all tho parti
culars can gather. .-
Since my last have had trip to Co.um
bus. A part of our regiment was detailed
to escort train accompanying part Of
Col. Bisselrs engineer corps which were
detailed to examine the road between
jackson and Columbus. was with the
escort. We were part Of three days making
the round trip; made Columbus about noon
of the second day, nothing of much inter.
est occurred on the return with the excep,
ton of surprising few guerrillas and tax.
ing one or two prisoners. The road has
not been disturbed since our troops left il
about the middle Of February or first OF
March. The citizens appear friendly and
claim to be good Union people, think
they would be il peace was once more cs.
tablished. Columbus is a busy warlike
town-and that is all.
Since my last, death has again visited our