Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-01-09
Letters from Dixie.
MBER TEN.

HOLLY SPRINGS, MISS, Dec. 81, 1852.
"The fortunes of war are changeful-ever
varying" remarked secesh officer to several
of us, yesterday, who were under his imme.
date charge as prisoners Of ,0ar; and in
view of the situation as seen from my stand
point, l am sure did not feel like contradict
ing him. But 1 must tell you the whole
story.
The reported rebel operations in and near
jackson, Tenn, had drawn off all the forces
from this place, except the I'd Illinois cavalry
and small squad of the gid Illinois infantry.
The former were encamped in the Fair
Grounds, on the north side of town, and the
latter were laying on the east side of the rail-
road, above the depot, and near where some
dozen Government employees (myself among
the number) were quartered in the second
story of an old frame house. Just after day
break, yesterday morning, we were startled
by an awful yelling, which was Immediately
followed by the crack and rattle of musketry.
On looking out of the windows we discovered
the cause of such an unusual noise to be in
the infantry camp, where apparently host
of rebel cavalry were dashing through, cut
ting and slashing and firing on every one
they saw. They crossed the railroad and
divided their forces, part of them taking the
road to the depot, part pushing up town, and
still another squad of thousand or more
dashing down in the direction of our quarters
the shops and armory, firing Unfortunately
on every one who ran from them, which was
about every one saw.
Near the armory they called halt of a
minute or so, and apparently held council,
after which they struck out for the cavalry
camp. By this time the tents and all the
traps of the infantry regiment were set on
fire and were burning rapidly. From the
windows we watched carefully the detach-
ment that was about to attack our cavalry
They rode boldly and confidently forward,
and on ascending the brow of a small ridge
east of the Fair Grounds, formed, as they rode,
in line of battle. Our cavalry had made full
preparations to receive them, and without
parleying or hesitation apparent on either
side, they ''pitched i'm and fought like tigers
for about twenty minutes, when our cavalry,
discovering that they were about to be flank
ed on both sides, retreated pell nell and start
ed for the woods The rebels followed and
captured few of them. "1
By this time firing had nearly ceased in the
vicinity of our quarters, and we could observe
that they were busy gathering prisoners to-
gether and marching them across the railroad
to the neighborhood of the ruined camp,
where they appeared to be placing them un-
der guard. They had also entered mule
CORRAL, and while some were Harvesting mules
and preparing them for travelling, others were
running the Government wagons together and
setting fire to them. They also fred the
tents and dwellings occupied by the wagon
makers and blacksmiths, as well as the car
shop mentioned in former letter.
Meanwhile we could hear persons enter the
lower story of the building we occupied, and
pass out again, but we endeavored to keep as
quiet as possible, hoping that they might fail
to discover us. Our suspense was of short
duration, however, for we soon heard heavy
tramping on the stairs; the door opened, and
robust secesh looked in upon US. He ap-
peared to be much amazed to see us, and see
ing our cots sitting around the room, made
the laconic remark, "Hospitalp' turned on
his heel, went down stairs and informed his
Captain Of our Whereabouts, who, with q
squad Of men, came up, revolver in hand, and
babe us "good morning" very pleasantly
After inquiring for arms, he ordered us to
"gather up such traps" as we wished to take
with US, and 60 along with them. We com.
J piled quite reluctantly, and were marched to