The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-10-28

From the 27th.
OPPOSITE LITTLE Rock,
Ark, Oct. 1st, 1863.

OPPOSITE LITTLE Rock,
Ark, Oct. 1st, 1863.
Dear Times Thinking it might inter.
est your readers to hear from these parts,
I use the opportunity to write you. Our
brigade, consisting of the 9th Iowa, 62d
Ill.,, 49th ILL.,, and 5Oth Indiana, with the
Sd Missouri battery started from Helena
on the 9th Of August in pursuit Of Price
and his rebel band. We marched to Clar.
endon on the White River a distance of
60 miles in two half days, the weather
being very desirable and our line Of march
heing mostly through . timbered country,
and the shade afforded by the trees kept
our men from being overheated. We re-
mained at Clarendon overnight and crossed
the river next day, camping on the other
side until next morning, when VIC started
early, but the roads for Ave miles were in
bad condition making slow work and hard
pulling for the teams, until we crossed
small creek, when we found the ground
more elevated, dry and sandy, and opening
into an extensive prairie, there we rested
men and teams for about an hour, when
We again resumed our march over a dry
prairie with a scarcity Of water, until We
reached our designated camping place, ar
irving about o'clock P. NJ, where we
found access to frog poad, to furnish US
with water to cook with, some good look.
ing cattle were soon slaughtered, that made
their appearance in that vicinity and VIC
all had suficiency of fresh beef for supper,
and breakfast next morning, which was
cooked before bedtime, so as to be ready
to march at any hour next morning. The
tap Of the drum duly notified US At day.
break, to be ready to again resume our
march, the roails were now good and VIC
made rapid progress, Tut as the sun arose
the day became very warm, and the water
in our canteens was fast diminishing to
drink profusely only to sweat the more
No water Was now to be found and in the
distance of several miles might be seen a
well on the premises of some farmer, who
had been conscripted into the rebel service.
Many Of the houses on the way were de.
serted but others indicated occupancy,
BY the appearance Of fowls, &C., on the
premises, the inmates evidently having
fed, or hid in terror from the approach of
the Yankee force. Many Of the soldiers
enter the yards and if well happens to be
on the premises it is by dint of strategy
some would get hold Of mouthful of wa.
ter, the rush was generally so great, each
trying to moisten his parched lips; such
were the difficulties to be contended with
for nearly three days on dry sandy
prairie, until we reached Brownsville,
distance of about 80 miles from Claren.
don, and where our advance force under
Gen. Davidson had a skirmish with the
rebels it is said for seven hours, about a
week previous to the arrival there of our
brigade. Davidson and his force succeed
ed in driving them out Of the town; of the
loss on either side did not learn, but the
retreating Rebs. were followed up by the
lst Iowa Cavalry distance of near seven
miles to the Metea Bayou I believe its
called, where they found the rebels to be
in force across the Bayou, the cavalry at
tempted to charge across the bridge, but
arriving within close proximity to it, found
it to be on fire, in the meantime the rebels
poured an incessant shower of bullets on
them, when the gallant Col. of the 1st Iowa
seeing the precarious position, wheeled his
men into line, as expeditions as possible to
avoid the threatening destruction to his
regiment, whence they had to retreat to
Brownsville again, with loss of only three
killed and 25 wounded, leaving the rebels
to be only attacked again by sufficient
force to dislodge them.
We remained at Brownsville several
days for the distribution of rations, &C.,
also for the arrival Of more troops un-
der Gen. Steele or Davidson as the case
might have been, before general advance
on the rebels would be made. During our
stay At Brownsville had the opportunity Of
seeing some Of the McGregor patriots,
namely George Lewis, George Kidder,
Richard Gammel, and some others, all OF
whom found to be il good health; from
them learnea that Mr.. Welliver, formerly
Of the firm Of Dickey and Welliver, Of Nc.
Gregor was wounded in the left arm, I sub.
sequently made it my business to 60 and
see him, the first available opportunity that
offered to the town hospital, in which upon
inquiring found him, and the same smil-
ing countenance which greeted me in Nc
Gregor, again met my gaze, he seemed to
be in good spirits and feels confident that
he could use his arm again in few weeks,
as the wound was not dangerous, and with
the care of the skilled Surgeon of the hos
pi.al all would be we'll, when he should
once more be ready to give the rebs turn;
the bravery Of Mr.. w. is undoubted BY
the boys.
While in Brownsville several regiments
Of infantry, among which were three Iowa
regiments, namely 25th, goth, ss.h, with
. portion Of cavalry and artillery went out