The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-12-02
STEAMER DEs MONIES CRY, Nov. ~

ers, near the same place that VIC now are,
but on different mission. Then, knew
something of what was about to do; now,
know not. You will be surprised to hear
from me here. fpromised you should hear
from me when got back to my command,
so here goes: age .z12- 'tty
First must tell you that was only
three weeks getting there, After leaving
you our first detention was three hours at
the Prairie du Chen depot; then day Ia
Chicago, two days in Memphis, week ID
Helena, and three days at the mouth Of
White River These detentions were
caused by missing connections Of boats
and conveys. We had a pleasant csmps-
ny, and time passed off well until we ar
rived at Helena, when, to add to the discom.
forts of miserable hotel, I was again ia.
ken with fever and ague, which caused the
some Inconvenience, and obliged the to part
company with Lieut.. Pratt and Mrs. Lieut..
Barnes, they taking different boat.
Nothing of special interest occurred on the
passage from Helena to Little Rrock. Ar
irving there, found all glad to see me, and
none more SO than Lieut.. Williams and
Sergt. Everal, who were waiting my return
to take charge of the company, SO that
| they could start home on a recruiting mis-
sion. They having gone on the next day
after my arrival, they are doubtless with
you before this time, and can speak for
themselves. I hope they will receive q
hearty welcome and aid from our friends to
fill up our ranks with good and true men.
| found Lieut. Olmstead almost down
sick, but he has Improved rapidly since We
left Little Rock, so that he is almost him.
self again. l found the men much i'm.
proved in health, and fixed up in excellent
log cabin winter quarters. took one man
of my company from Memphis, and left
one sick in Hospital; the last, Charles
Wilkins, has now joined us, and we have
only siA now absent sick, viz: Enoch Al.
len, at home George Ashline, Samuel
Vanzant, Charles Stratton, James NJ. Riley,
at Davenport and George Stork, place not
known, having been furloughcd from hos
pital in Memphis The regiment think
is generally in good health, there being on.
ly five or six in the regimental hospital,
none dangerous. Colonel Gilbert is not
enjoying good health, but hope the change
will improve him also.
Twas in camp just one week when we were
ordered to move, and although well fixed
for winter the men threw up their hats
and shouted "On to the Battle We fear
no foe.' All were wild with delight at the
prospect of getting to see some fighting, ss
tie talk was that We were to join the Army
of the Cumberland; hope it is true. On
ly two regiments Of our brigade were Or
dered, but we hope the other two will fol.
low. The 27th Iowa and 49th Illinois are
on the move. The 62d Illinois and 5Oth
Indiana, with Eaughn's battery, are left.
We hope to join them again at Memphis.
We are divided on three boats. Nine com.
panies Of the 40th are on the steamer Sallis
List, and one company on this boat. Eight
companies Of the 9th are on the steamer
Rose Hambleton, and companies D and E
on this, together with the sick, DR.. Has
tings and lady, and Chaplain Bordwell. The
latter has been much engaged the last three
days in reading nooel, as he has rothing
else to do, there being no mail to look Of.
ter. He may be very good man in his
way, but think the regiment would be as
we'll off without him. One thing he never
has been guilty of, uisiting the men in
camp; consequently he has made few
friends
The day before we broke camp we had
the pleasure of short visit from Doctor
Barnes (of the lst Iowa Cavalry and his
estimable lady. The Doctor has been sick,
but is fast recovering his usual good health.
They are an excellent couple. May they
both live long after this rebellion is put
down, and enjoy life together. We had
the pleasure Of shaking hands with mum.
Der Of the boys of Co. K; there is no dis
count on them they are all the trse metal.
They had just returned from chase after
party of Marmaduke's men who had
captured some 8 government teams loaded
with army clothing and ammunition, but the
rascals blew up the powder and made way
with the clothing and part Of the guard.
A gentleman on board who keeps a wood
yard at Island No. 2, has just informed me
that few days ago some troops sent from
Helena or Memphis made dash on camp
of rebel bush whackers a few miles above
here, got between the rebs and their camp,
had fight; killed and wounded num-
Der, took some prisoners, and drove the re-
mainder completely away. This party has
been firing on boats occasionally for some
time and about a week ago burned the
steamer Allen Collier, with a valuable
cargo of cotton.
Our little craft struck snag last night
and set some of us up on end, others oper
end, but was not damaged, and We still
float along at government speed. II we
have no mishaps we will soon be at Helena,
and may reach Memphis tomorrow even.
ing, where it is likely we will soon know
cur destination, and then will drop you
line. SD. .s
We have received the TINES Of the 2oth
October, and topc to find more awaitiuY'W~
at Memphis
| On retnrninp IN nv command found