The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-01-29
correspondence.
Camp near Rol!a, Mo-, Jan. 20, '63.
Editor Transcript.

Editor Transcript.
Dear Sir!
One week ago Yesterday we came to
this place, then it was warm and plea
SAINT, to-day We have about inches of
snow and the dusty rain now settling
down upon us tins morning, gives us
fair warning that for the next three or
four days, we will have regular Missouri
weather, "mud, sloppy, slashy roads
and disagrecable time generally.
Last Thursday ii was cold and stormy
and our men in thc. frail and tattered
wedge tents suffered greatly, from the
effects Of the sudden cold, no stoves
and crowded together in these small
tents with barely room to squeeze in,
and when they wished to turn over, the
command "abont face" was given and
all turned together executing the move
ment with the same precision rs though
drilling in ranks or parade.
Our transit from Toledo, Iowa to
Benton Barracks Mo-, was agreeable
and prosperous. We reached St. Louis
on Christmas and reported Immediately
to the barracks. Our regiment had re.
moved to the barracks occupied the
year before, and the meeting Of the
members of the regiment once more
was one Of gladncss and pleasure.
Our first dress parade was one long
to be remembered by us. Many absent
members told Of the heavy mortalit,
and tho heavy loss in the changes of
one year. Indeed it was rather sad to
see the thinnel ranks, and then consider
wha. had made it 50. Many brave men,
and true OF Iowa's noble sons. were
resting quietly in a soldiers grave some
III the land If Dixie and others on the
fields of Donelson and Shiloh.
We were ordered 10 this place to re-
inforcc it in case our troops at Spring
field should meet with a defeat which
place we understood was attacked by
rebel force under "AIrmadnke. But
rs the rebels have been repnlsed at
Springfield We will 60 back to st. Louis
and perhaps to Davenport 10. | under
stand by latest news that we leave this
afternoon for St. Louis.
r l|a il a place OF but little impor
lance aside from It's Government stores,
and these al present are quite an item.
There is a gfea, deal Of government pro
perry here at present. AS this is The
depot fos stores of all kinds sent to the
array of,Ee southwest. The army AT
Springfield receives all i,s supplies from
this post, this being the terminus of the
railroad from ST. Leuis.
Take away tie Government stores
hero and you would have town about
one half the siz. of olcdo.
The town is situated on one Of those
points Of land remarkable for nothin .
save barren scrubby oaks, lazelbrnsh
and rabbits, the very place above all
the gnerillas and bushwackers would
conceal si!eir carcascs in. East of town
is an carthwork or fertilization com
manding the approaches to town. North
aud Vest a,c cnca,npcd the 22nd Iowa,
eth No. and the attachments OF the
lith. sth and Il Ii Iowa Infantry rcgi-
ments.
Bat must close as orders have come
to strike tents, and then ho! for St.
Louis. The snow fakes are settling
quietly down covering everything in a
sheet Of white and the muddy roads
proclaim that previous to this we have
had rain.
n. VS. to day confirm the report ofthe
capture Of Arkansas Post with four
thousand eight hundred prisoners.
My haste is my excuse tor errors.
Yours truly
VIM GALLAGHER
Co. G.. l4th Iowa Rect