Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-05-05
Army CORRESPONDENCE.
MILLIKEN's BEND, La,
April oath, 1863.

April 24th, 1868.
EDS. DRAocRAT The "Iowa Brig.
ade," few days ago, changed it quarter
from Lake Providence to this locality
from nice green swar1 and sweet smell
ing roses, aud big house to look At a.
the Grants Headquarters-lo an ole
cornfeld, which it has taken two days
labor to clean up into a presentable ap
pearance, broiling in the sun, and with 9
generally unsettled feeling that We are
only to remain here a few days. The
next move will be to belo,o Vicksburp
to be accomplished by march of per
haps thirty five miles, leaving all our
tents behind, and whiting transporta
tion down to our five wagons per regi
msnt. Some OF our Iowa regiments
have not yet learned how that is to be
done, but then we have good many
things to learn yet, and am glad this
lesson is the next.
V.cksbEry is the question to be un-
ravelled. A start has been made in the
matter. 1t has been discovered that the
Vicksburg rebel batteries are not an ef
fcctusl blockade. First, several gunb oats
passed them. Last week seven gunboats
and four transports made the same ex-
pertinent, and lost only 4 transport
Night before last seven transports, loaded
with forage, ralions, etc., mere common
river steamers, protected about the boil
ers with bottom bales and hay, ran this
"blockade." At first we heard one trans.
pors was lost, but last night an officer
from Gen. Grants Headquarters reported
that oil had got through, the steam p pc
Of one being broken. The details Of in
Juries, loss of life, we have not heard.
This must be dlscouraging to the Vicks-
burg blockaders. We will soon have a
large body of troops below Vicksburq,
and an attack on the place is anticipated
before great while. Gen. Grant has At
least the virtue Of caution, and think
he will never attack Vcksburg till he has
almost surety ofsuccess. That's about
the way things stand now. We expect
big fight, and are ready for it.
The "Iowa Brigade" commanded by
Gen. Croker, stands second to no other
in this army corps, for real fighting, nun
bers, discipline, drill, and general good
behavior. Coils. Crocker, of the 18th.
and Reed, Of the 18th, have recently been
trsnsto med into Generals. At bi. own
request, Gen. Crocker has been continued
in command Of this brigade. lie is an
excellent officer, and whether in camp or
in battle, the regiments under him will
have to do their duty. Gen. Reed has
been detailed to take command Of the I'd
Brigade Of this (the 6th) Division, during
the temporary absence of Co. DeitcLler,
ito former commander. This brigade was
left at Lake Providence. The health
of the "lowa Brigade is excellent
What few sex we had were left up the
river. The largest regiment in the brig.
ade is the llth, and the smallest the 10th.
The latter numbered at the muster of
April 10th (by order from the War De.
partment, made specially to find out the
strength of the regiments, in view OF fill
ing up with conscripts) 543, more than
half the maximum number, and thus,
suppose, preventing any order for its con
solidation. With its experience in camps
and battles, it is probably really strong
cr regiment than when it first came out.
Col. Hall, Of Davenport, is in command Of
the llth, being recently returned to duty,
and Lieutenant Colonel Sanders, of the
10th, in the absence of Col. Chambers
There is no chance for regimental officers
to rise here, except by vacancies above
them, which accounts lor 1t. Col. San
dsrs remaining in his position, when Of
6cers are rising all around him in this
brigade. Maj. VIM. I. Clark, Of Gen.
McPherson's staff, has recently been pro-
NOTED to 1t. Colonel on the same staff.
Davenport is thus represented by three
field officers 1t this time, which restores
the equilibrium lost BY Major Van Hos
ems resignation. Had he remained, he
might now be It. Colonel, .. the 1t.
Colonel of his regiment has been pro.
moted TO the Colonelcy, vacated by Col.
Crocker's promotion.
Capt. Stuhr, Of Co. B., 10th Iowa. left
for Davenport this morning. He has re
signed on account Of bad health. You
may reccollect be was sick 10 Davenport
some time last winter. There do YOU
hear that? 1t is the roar Of big guns at
Vicksburg. We do not know what !,
means, ~ boats do not attempt to run the
blockade in the day time, aud it is now
nearly noon.
shall probably write you again, but
after the battle Of Vicksburg. But alas
who Of this army can say his fingers ,ray
not be stiffened in death. And alas, how
little thss i OF life to tempt some of Us
70 live, who cay, and who fel, that it
makes but little difference to u whether
The 6ngsrs thst nov write for ~ h then