The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-03-21
KEOKUK:
vrCxsBUaG CoRREsPoNDENCE

vICKsBUnG CORREsPONDENCE .
Mr.. EDITOR Your Daily from ths
I'd to the 9th inclusive has come to hand
What could be more grateful than thi,
herald of news and harbinger Of civiliza
ton to poor soldier shut up to the o.
sential bar barism of the army. in tn,
depths of an enemy's country The sol
der knows at the time but little of tn,
history he is making. There are few o
the Colonies in agreat army that know
more of its plans and movements thar
the school boys of your city. 1t is the
duty Of the General-in-C Chief to hmov
and what pity that he SO often knows
so l,fae. II is the, duty Of all subordi-
mates to obey, and sometimes the amount
known by Bngadier end Colonel is hand
somely small. We have suffered a dis
trsssing dearth of newspapers, until re-
Gently there seems to be better supply
The " Daily is rare treat to the Keo-
kuks," who flock to read or hear it read.
While you know much that we cannot
know. without your papers, We are in
possession Of many incidents and partic-
ulars that scarcely rise to the dignity of
news, that may nevertheless be interest
ing to many Of your readers who have
orlando in tho ermu
furnished you with note of results
and some particulars Of the "Arkansas
Post affair" am sorry to notice in the
Fairfield Ledger and some other papers,
incorrect accounts of that battle, dimin-
ishing the trophies Of that triumph. To-
wa papers at least should keep the figures
high enough, as Iowa had = good hand
in the game.
After leaving the Post, we pushed out
for Vicksburg, and after hating some
days at different points, we were sudden
ly electrified with surprise at full view
Of the "Rsbel City," within distance of
four miles. With eager interest We of
course piled our glasses upon its build
ings, spires, and streets, but especially |
upon its world-renowned fortifcations-I
Rounding to, We stepped ashore from the
Decatur, which, by this time, had became
prison. perfect lsxar-house Of discon-
tent, disease, death. We had been
aboard one month, subjected to almost
every species Of priyution and suffering,
not to say outright abuse and imposition;
and We were glad to stand upon terra
frma and breathe once more the pure air
of heaven. We had at last arrived at the
very focus of the great scene of interest.
We had scarcely looked around when We
were rsnewsdly disappointed and sur
prised. The diagrams and publications
in Harper and other eastern journals had
led Us into error. We found the commu-
nication between the river above and be-
lo~, not seven or eight miles difficult and
dangerous, but one and quarter miles
and perfectly easy. The great canal or
ditch pretending to the importance and
magnitude of new bed Of the river, and
about to transform the Rebel City into IN
inland village, We found to be some ten
to f.oenty ride. and two to four feet deep,
with stump standing here and there
The only wonder coald have was that
everybody did not look upon it with con-
tempt. We wore immediately posted up
on the bank Of the river below the city,
it is not my business now to say with
what privation and discomfort. About
this TINA tho stAam ferry Dssote, net
seeming 70 be aware Of the presence Of
our troops, drove in to wood near by, and
few men went out with their rifles and
invited the Captain to deliver up, which
he did, and its cargo of eggs. pork, but.
ter, ETC., found new and ready mar.
ket.
since Whiting the above, have been
sick two or three wesks, and though mol
entirely oblivious to passing incidents,
fear ! am quite behind the times.
Various accounts Of the running Of the
blockade at Vicksburg By the Queen Of
the West, and her subsequent iI-fate,
have been published, most of which a..
incorrect in some particulars. It was q
gallant and successful adventure. She
did it in open day. soon sfter daylight
The morning was clear and beautiful
Thousands rushed TO the scene on the OPP
posite side Of the river. Two steamers
were lying at the wharf before the city,
one the "vicksburg," = fine boat.
Mt ronfant -.tL Inf-s~- A