Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-11-20
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

~ SOs 1OOCs
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
Movements Of theIowa brigade
What Soldiers think Of
Peace Men.
V1cKsBURG, Miss, Oct 25, 1868.
EDIT R JOURNAL Il again essay to post
your readers in the whereabouts and doings
of the 1lth, dceming that matters of sufficient
interest have transpired since my last to war
rant me in again trespassing on their pa
tience.
At the time of my last writing the regi-
ment was in a worse condition than it had
ever been before, and worse than ever hope
to see it again. But am happy to state that
there has been great improvement in that
respect not only in this regiment, but in all
the regiments in this vicinity. Although we
have not attained our former fair proportions
as regiment, yet cur ranks are now filled
up until we no longer experience those sad
dening reflections which have hitherto forced
themselves upon our minds when we assem-.
bled with less than the requisite number of
men to form two good companies, and con-
trasted that with our former strength and
pride. And still, almost daily, numbers are
added to our ranks by the return of our boys
from the hospitals and from home on sick
leave. Gradually our column stretches itself
out until we are again beginning to look upon
it with something of our former pride, and to
feel that we might again cause ourselves to be
felt in struggle with our foes, should the
opportunity be offered.
On Thursday, the 1st Of October, our brig
ade was reviewed by Gen. Macarthur On
the 4th it was again reviewed by Gen. Nc.
Pherson. And Tuesday, the 9th, it passed in
review before Gen. Grant himself. 1t is suf-
ficient to say that they were all gone through
in a manner fully sustaining the character of
the Iowa Brigade" although our numbers
were such that we could not make as fine a
display as we have done on former occasions.
Our Commanding Generals have now all
had look at us and suppose they are sat
isied, for that was the last of the reviews
Since the departure from this place of those
troops for the reinforcement of Gen. Rose
Grams, Logan's division, our brigade and two
regiments of colored troops Qhe 18th Louis
lana aud the 9th Louisiana, now changed to
the 1st Mississippi heavy artillery have
been holding this position, while Tuttles d.
vision and small cavalry force have held an
advanced line on Black River.
From some reasons. suppose known to
those in command, fears are entertained of an
attack on this place, aud between seven and
eight o'clock on the evening of the 9th. the
l1th regiment was callsd out and marched
out to the picket line, where we stacked our
arms and lay down by them for the night
Regiments were similarly stationed on all
roads leaking into the town.
After casting ourselves upon the ground
beside our guns, all Thoughts of our priva-
tions and hardships and the joys and comforts
of home were very soon forgotten in the
sweet embraces of Morpheus, from which we
aroused about l2 o'clock, not by the rattle of
musketry and the roar of the cannon of an
approaching enemy, but by cold, chilling
rain beating upon our exposed heads, and the
alternative but to arise from our beds or soon
be wallowing in the mud. Accordingly we
reluctantly arose and passed the remainder of
the night either sitting or standing with our
gum blankets around US, and shivering with
cold.
But there were some who resolved not to
be driven from their position By such foe,
and manfully aid they stick to their deter
mination, but before morning they had q
very soft bed, deeply imbedded in which
they left the imprint Of their forms.
A little before dayl ght the rain ceased,
when We soon had fires started and managed
10 make ourselves more comfortable.
About noon we were relieved by the 18th.
We relit we'd them, again, the next morning,
and thus we took each alternate day until
Sunday, the 18th, at which time the 11th
was on POST. At 4 o'clock Sunday
We were reused up and ordered to
proceed to camp and prepare to march in two
hours.
Accordingly at o'clock A. NJ. we started
in the direction of Black River bridge, which
we learned was our place of destination.
Owing to the carelessness of Gen. Chambers,
who commands the brigade, we marched six
miles out Of out way, thus making march of
twenty miles instead of fourteen. suppose
there was hardly private in the brigade
who could not have gone through on the di-
rect route without any trouble, and many
thought the General did it purposely. He is
despised by the brigade almost as heartily as
it is possible for man to be, and loud and
deep were the curses that were uttered against
HIM that day. We arrived at the bridge
about PM
Those who were unfit for duty, and all our
camp equipage, were left behind. We took
nothing but our arms, haversacks and blank
cts with US, but We are so used to living out
doors that we do not think anything of it.
The object of our movement to the bridge
was to hold that position, while Gen. Mowers
brigade, which belongs there, accompanied o
expedition to ascertain wheth-
er the rebels had any considerable force in
the region Of Jackson; which expedition con-
sisted Of Generals Tuttle and Logan's divis-
ions and all the available cavalry. They
were not ready to start when we arrived, and
we had nothing to do but quietly await their
Nothing Of interest transpired until Tues
day, when we held our election. As you
have nc doubt heard the result of it ere this,
I will not repeat it here, but will just remark
that the 10th nobly cleared itself of the impu-
tation of being the Copperhead regiment of
Iowa. That unenviable distinction now be-
longs to the 35th, as far as we have heard.
On that day the soldiers proclaimed to the
people that they be will satisfied with nothing
but war, with no arrangement for peace until
the last rebel lays down his arms, willing to
accept peace on any terms they can get, and
not as the Copperheads wish, on such terms
as they themselves choose to dictate. And
if we, who have to endure all the hardships
a nd 'rrivofiOns and faoo <bo Jo,oo~, -.