The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-10-07

From Capt. Drips OF the 37th,
We are in receipt Of two letters from Our
highly prized regular Correspondent of the
9th. Our columns this week are filled with
army letters Of rather too great length,
and it is impossible to publish both of Capt.
Drips letters in full. We condense the
first one; it is dated Brownsville, Ark.
SEPT. Sd, 1868. LEFT Helena Aug. 2Sth.
camped that night at Big Creek. Saw but
few fields of corn on our route to Clarea-
don, three days march. Land fertile. Clar-
endon nearly destroyed, by fire. On the
3lst we were paid off on White River, a
beautiful stream. On the 1st, marched
through a lovely prairie country to
Brownsville, an old looking county scat
the buildings are now filled with sick
soldiers weather very hot and oftentimes
we have bad water. Gems. Davidson and
Steele arc here with 8 to 10000 men, and
100 pieces Of artillery. Think Price and
Marmaduke will be driven out Of the Coun-
try, bu: do not hope for their capture.
Our Regiment is in good trim, but few
sick. Co. "E' holds her own very WE'LL
Sergeant Evcrall is p. NJ. for the Regiment,
he has chronic diarrhea Davidson and
Steele start TO- day for Little Rock we move
to morrow. We shall sec fighting soon
and if | am left on my pegs You will hear
from me.
Sept 4th. Still in camp, awaiting or
dcrs. Some scouts of the lst iowa Caval,
ry came in. today. Co. "k" cane near
being gobb!ed few days ago, they lost
three killed and several wounded and ia
ken prisoners. Among the wounded and
captared is son of Lieut. Granger Co. A,
27th.) The Lieut. thinks his son is living.
The train is just in from Duvals Bluff
bringing mails and supplies. Our dates arc
up to August oath, and report the falling of
Sumpter and Moultrie and the lombard
ment of Charleston. Hope it is true.
Here follows the second letter in full
CAMP ON THE MARCH IN ARKANsAs,)
Sept. 9th, 1868.
DEAR TINES Since my last We have
made two moves, one merely moving camp
abolt three miles from one side of Browns.
vile to the other side, and one Yesterday
and to day from there to this place, about
seventeen or eighteen miles toward Little
Rock. 1t is said that VIC arc now within
two miles Of the Arkansas River, South
east OF Little Rock about eight miles, We
have met no enemy yet, but we are closing
around where he is now, or where he was
few days ago. Perhaps few days more
will tell whether he is prepared to defend
the Capitol Of the State or not.
The first Iowa cavalry is with us and
have had the pleasure OF an hours chat with
Captain Freeman and Lieut.. Barnes of Co.
K, our Clayton county company, in that
Regiment. The Captain is hale and hearty
and every inch soldier and gentleman;
he is detached from his company for Brig
adc Adjutant, and is said to be very eff.
cient and competent officer. Lieut.. Barnes
is now in command Of the company; he is
a genuine, whole souled fellow, and prime
officer; like his appearance very much.
have talked to Kidder, Crawford, and
others of the company, and all agree that
he is right Kidder looks fat aud plump,
and is q good soldier. All other cavalry
regiments agree tkat Iowa stands in the
front rank as to cavalry, and few days
may test more Of :he Infantry.
will not close this until We know more
of Little Rock. The country between this
and Brownsville is all timber, except two
miles Of prairie land; no improvements un-
til We get within three miles of this place,
when We come to large plantation that
extends to this place, said to belong to q /
rebel General. Gen. Steele occupies the
house as his headquarters, and the nen say
that sweet potatoes grow fine on the plan
tation, but | think few will grow on it this
year after we leave here. This is q very
level country, no hills at all on the road
from Clarendon to this place water is poor
except in some wells. We now camp along |!
side what IS called Bayou Metre, rising from !
Ink Bayou; the fall between the two sloughs .
IS about twelve feet and makes handsome !
water power, and is improved with Aosr.
ng mill belonging to the same plantation.
Water in these sloughs is better than we
rave had.
Our men begin to have tho Ague and Fe.
, plenty, sone sin or eight have been ia
Ken down in Company E, in few days
md other companies share the same fate. !