The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-28
McGREGOR IOWA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 1863

- A~AAA SAAO ~AOks
by the politencss Of friend Hayt, we ar
permitted to make the following extract
from letter just received by him from
Oscar Burdick. sutler to the 2lst:
HousroN, Mo-, Jan. 16, 1868.
All quiet at Houston.
Col. Merrill and force arrived last even
ing, and met welcome reception.
Our men that have returned feel prout
Of the contest in which they have been en-
gagged, and we'll they may.
.ur Lieut.. Col. is wounded in the breas,
by a piece of shell, and had one finger sho,
"ff is left at Lebanon: also one Lieut.. in
Co. c, who was severely wounded in the
thigh. Go. G, Capt. Bsnton's Co.. did no,
receive a scratch. Co. B, Capt. Crooke's
had one man killed, named Percell. Ou,
loss is very light for SO long engaged, ani
Gen. Warren compliments them highly.
I will copy his address to the 2lst this
evening, on dress parade:
"Soldiers, you have fought one Of the
finest battles Of the war! You have with
eight hundred men actually engaged, me,
and repulsed six thousand Of the enemy,
Against their five pieces of artillery, you
had two. They had their choice of posi-.
,ition, and planted their guns on a poin,
which selected as being impregnab'e,
with thirty five hundren men in full view
You knew the odds against you; complete
ly surrounded, except one line Of retreat /;
you fought for six hours and then only fell
back because your artillery ammunition
was failing, and your single outlet menaced.
Not an article Of property captured, and
your covering infantry held the field after
the beaten enemy had retired. History in
the larger battles Of the rebellion, may
make no full mention of yonr names, but
the truth that determined column, more
than half Of whom were never before under
fire. stood like veterans without faltering
or ilinching before volley after vollpy, and
charge after charge, will be glorious mem.
"ry to those who love you, and an honest
pride to your own hearts.
But must not fail to do justice to the
five hundred who, knowing that the enemy
were still in force below, rushed with me to
give them battle again. and when learned
If their flank movement toward Hou>to
countermarched, making sixty. four miles
through mn'l and rain in twenty four hours
to defend your camp, and all this in perfect
order and discipline, without muriner or
complaint.
Nor may pass, without mention, the
cool and determined courage Of the weak
force left to defend. when my courier came
in to warn Of the approach Of the eremy,
with an order to hold to the last extremity.
Officers and men, invalids and GONZALES
cents, stood ready without panic or alarm,
I. aetrnd 10 the last.
SoldierS, your endurance and your valor
is beyond praise Your accomplishments
are worthy Of the highest com,nendation.
Beyond the hope of reinfarcenents, you
have held your position. fought the enemy,
saved Lebanon and r lila, with your own
post, from burning and sack.
ism, and my thanks and gratitude that my
name cah be associated with this brigad aS
the proudest memory Of my future days"
The weather is cold have about four or
five inches Of snow it looks very much
like winter in Iowa.
No news Of pay master Trade is brisk.
I think We will remain here for sometime,
but do not anticipate any trouble from the
rebels while here. With their scarity
hardly think they will return
north until the weather changes.