Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-09-25

10 PoO,, e~"oy sui, anu pltcn pine Is the
principal timber.
The next morning we were ordered to put
our arms in fighting trim. had inspection.
and strict orders were given for every man to
have his full forty rounds of cartridges and
We were put in complete trim for big fight.
About 8 A. NJ, all being by that time in
readiness, we moved forward toward Monroe,
our place of destination, and where we ex.
pected TO find the rebels, if they intended to
make stand in this part of the country.
Our road now lay through beautiful,
highly improved region. Splendid mansions,
beautiful lawns, neat out houses and negro
quarters, denoted refinement of taste not
always to be found either North or South
The soil, however, was rather too sandy to be
very productive. .. ..
We marched seven miles, to within one
mile of Monroe, without any demon stration
by the rebels, and finding that they had con-
sidered prudence the better part of valor, !"
and retired beyond the Washitau river. we
| went into camp. -
| Monroe is situated on the Washitau river.
| can give no idea of its size or appearance
as was only near enough to see part of it
from distance; but from what could see
of it should judge it to be very neat little
town. N
We quietly settled down here to rest our
aching limbs for we expected that we would
certainly be allowed day or two to recruit
our exhausted energies. But between three
and four o'clock next morning the shrill note
of the fife and the rattle of the drum drove
the drowsy god from our turfy couch, and we
arose to receive orders to prepare to to march
at five A. NJ, at which time we started on our
return, and. IN five hours marched sixteen
miles, which is rather extraordinary march
ing. We then halted at Bayou Benton. We
knew that this would be one of our stopping
places, for it was eight miles farther to the
next water, and we nerved our weary, ach-
ing limbs with the thought that it would be
the end of our days journey. But this
pleasing hope was suddenly destroyed by the
announcement that we would have three
hours rest and then march on eight miles.
| know that folks at home think that six
teen miles march is quite an easy lob to &C.
complish; but all who have tried it agree tina.
sixteen miles in the ranks with soldier
load, are equal to thirty when unincumbered
and free to move at ones own pleasure, and
to rest when the aching of the exhausted
muscles demand it..
| LUZ uOWOSOA AuCu illClIudIIOU pTOTUDlcu
US to enjoy the cooling shade of the forest,
there was no disregarding the voice which
called us from our refreshing repose, and
about the middle Of the afternoon we again
Shonldered our loads and took up the line OF
weary march, and after marching eight or
nine miles, about eight P. NJ we again occu-
pied our former place of bivouac at Point JEFF
ferson. & tst .r .. ..,s.-
The next day, Aug. Both, we only marched
ten miles, and camped on Bayou Beouff.
On the morning of the 31st we were on the
move by six O'Clock, and reached Bayou Ma
con, twenty miles distant, at two P. n, where
we went into camp. That was regular mus
ter day, and accordingly we were mustered
that evening.
By this time we had so many sick on
hand that it was found necessary to lay over
one day at that place, in order to send the
ambulances on to the river with the sickest
ones, and return to pick up others who
might be unable to bear the fatigues of the
rest of the march. After that was done there
were still 1870 left out of our $50 men, who
were unable to carry their guns and accou
trements, and before going far the army
wagons were all filled with those who were
able to march but few miles.
In the evening we received orders to be
ready to march at twelve o'clock that night
We were accordingly reused at clever
o'clock. and after eating few hasty bites
we moved forward.
Night marching is always far more weari
some than when assisted by the light Of day
but tht light the moon shed her mellow
light around our pathway, rendering oul
march less difficult and tiresome than it 9th.
erwise would have been. We moved along
with but little interruption, and about A. n
arrived at the landing, very much fatiged, apc
with very good appetite fol breakfast. A
march of eighteen miles before breakfast is
something that is not performed every day.
There was not suffi lent transport alton fol
the whole expedition. and our brigade and
the artillery were left behind. We lay at thu
landing till the next morning, when boats ar
rived for US, and we were soon speeding to-
wards Vicksburg. About o'clock we land
ed opposite our old camp, ard were soon
making our way towards it. approached
it with feelings similar to those OF the weary
traveller approaching his long forsaken home
and when we arrived we received a most
hearty rec-ption from those whom we had
left behind, the most of whom we found in a
better state of health than when we left, but
we were much panied by the saddening intel
ligence that two of them had gone on that
march from which there is no return.
This is the hardest trip the Eleventh Iowa
has ever made. We marched $50 miles in
twelve days. And thus ended the great
Louisiana Expedition"
Our soldiers are always willing to patiently
and unmurmuringly endure any amount of
| triI horlehsnc ~
see that any good is going o result from their
labors; but must say that it requires great
er military genius than am possessed of to
discover the advantages gained by that cxpe-
dition. 1t is true that we drove the enemy
out, and took military possession of d:strio,
hitherto unoccupied by US, but we left no
force to hold the ground thus gained, and we
could hear of the rebels following back close
in our rear, and doubtless before we reached
this place they were again in quiet possession
of their old camps. But perhaps there is
some good accomplished which we are unable
to see. We will at least hope so, for it would
certainly be very discouraging to think that
we would be called upon to undergo such
hardships without accomplishing anything
towards the great object for which we are
laboring.
There are other subjects on which would
like to express few ideas, but as this letter
has already heightened itself out great deal
longer than intended, I forbear. :.
PAUL JONES, Co. H. 18th Iowa Inf.
A GIRL ACQUITTED FOR SHOOTING HER Sc
DUcER.-MiSs Elizabeth Beatty Was tried at
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, last week on Charge
of murder, committed last January, in JUS
tees Office. The woman had been seduced
by man named Mccormick, and had child
by him. lie refused to assist the poor girl
in the fruit of their sin, and treated her with
contempt She had him arrested, and he was
brought before a Justice, who bound him