The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-04-22
McGREGOR IOWA. WEDNESDAY APRIL %, 1863
Army Correspondents.
CAPE GrRADEAu April 7th 1893.

| Army C0TreDp0udence.
| CAPE GrRADEAU, April 7th, 1868.
Uessrs. Editors:-As resident of you
section, though not Of McGrcgor, I fe,
some degree Of confidence in offering 70
your acceptance few lines, depending 70
their interest not upon any exciting Incl
dents or literary merit. but upon the fac
that they have reference, in part, to thos
in whom you arc especially inter ested, VIII
are now risking health and life to restor
the ancient lines Of freedom.
The history Of our campaign for the las
few weeks, so far as we, the uninitiated
know, may be expressed by what was sal,
OF two other armies, one Of which "swor,
terribly in Flanders, and the other ''marcs,
ed up hill and then down again." We
however, surpass both of those armies ir
the peculiarities attributed to them, for
think we-seaf, sf course not inelns;eA--
swear more "terribly," and march up and
down loftier hills, though the swearing il
not in Flanders and the marching was no,
in France.
To those, however, WHO are in the con.
fidence Of the "powers that be, much good
has doubtless been accomplished by our
marchings and coun,ermarchings amid rain
and snow, in country almost literally un-
inhabited and uninhabitable, along roads
obstracted with rocks, or impossible with
fathom!ess mud, over rugged mountains
and through narrow gorges. As nothing
was made, in vain it is q safe conclusion
that southeast Missouri, the scene of our
exploits, must be good mineral region, as
it certainly is good for nothing else
Having accomplished all that could be
done, and meeting with no enemy in forc.,
we were returned to the Knob and vicinity
and thence scattered in different directions;
some being stationed on the river and at
inland points, and others, including the
2lst, 22d, and 23d Iowa, being ordered to
Vicksburg, or in that direction. whence we
shall soon heara satisfactory report CT them.
These three regiments, believe, now con-
stitute brigade, commanded by your iel
low-townsman Col Merrill, Of the 2ls.. an
accomplished officer and gentleman ire
proactlable in every relation which he holds
to tn community. say this, knowing
that am talking to those who are best &C.
quainted with him. In support Of the first
part OF my assertion, | refer to the fiatter-
ing mention Of him by Gen Warren in his
report Of the battle Of Hartsville, and the
truth Of the rest is known to no one so
well as to yourselves. also met amor 2
H. officers Of the 2lst another worthy cit.
izen OF McGregor, Capt. Benton, who qui.
city pursues the even tenor of his way, and
will doubtless make his mark if secesh
should cross his path. McGregor, however,
cannot bear off all the honors, as Dubuque
and other sections arc also worthily repre-
sented in the Iowa brigade.
Though we, here at Cape Giradeau, are
much nearer the scene o: prospective bat
ties and victories which are to decide the
fate of the valley Of Mississippi, yet we
envy you the superior facilities you possess
E,r obtaining n"-I,, "n-..s-- O..- ...........:
cation with the outer world is so irregular,
that some two or three days c!apse without
the arrival Of a paper of any description to
satisfy our longing anxiety in regard to
army operations, aud vary the weary mo.
notony of unemployed camp life. now
understand the de,noralizlng tendency of
the latter, and acknowledge the more
wholesome influence of otherwise fruitless
campaigns.
The time for action, earnest, decisive &C.
ton, however, is at hand. Events are cul.
minating, and the catastrophe must soon
happen. God strengthen the army Of the
right, and smite the traitors to the Union
and Liberty, who would d;vest our beloved
country of her fair proportions, with ir-
remcdable defeat.
IINTINNARC