The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-04-10
ARMY CORRESPoNDENCE.
ARMY or THE FRONTIER, !

ARMY OF THE TKDMI1xR,f
Camp at Forsythe, No., April /, '63.J
[co. A, 18th Iowa Kssimsns.l
DRAR GArE-I see papers in variou,
portions of the district in which our regi.
ment was formed well represented in the
way of communications, from members OF
the different companies, to the press in
their various localities. But see few OF
them in the Gate, which is q particular
friend 10 most if no. every one of our en-
tire company. We go our length for the
Union and the carrying on of this war
until peace, with its fullest and broadcast
freedom, shall crown our efforts. We
are down on peace meetings, copperheads
and traitors---either North or Southland
when our work here is done, and South
ern rebels cleaned out, we will be ready
to protect our own State from the hellisli
influence now at work 10 your midst.
For the past two months, the 10th, in
every sense of the term, has been the
Frontier Army and for the past month,
without even cannon or howitzer, has
protected the main pass which has been.
since the rebellion commenced. the great
thoroughfare through which raids have
been made upon Missouri By rebel troops,
and the main pass for armies passing to
aud fro from Missouri and Arkansas.
The trains for forage which have besn
going every week into Arkansas since we
have been here, have required heavy
guard, and mxuy skirmishes have ensued
between our little force and rebel compa
MES, at times FIVE times our numbers, in
in which we have captured number OF
prisoners, and lost but one man taken
prisoner and paroled.
Our position in the defence of Spring
field, has been one of dangerous proxim.
ity TO the enemy who have large force
near. 49,
FRIDAY evening. the Ed, acouple of
men came riding into our camp, repre-
senting themselves as paroled prisoners
from Helena, and having their papers to
that effect in their pockets. Thcywished
provisions. and feed for their horses,
which was furnished them !; bat the peeu-
liar hitch they made, in fastening their
baltars, and the peculiar material Of which
one was made. created suspicion in the
minds OF few who had learned many
things Of Snaveps gang ofguerrillas which
iniest the counties south Of Us, and who
have been numbering and pilllsging and
conscfipting Union men for months
Some of our boys having learned their
peculiarities in many things, this halter
and its mode of fastening, excited their
suspicion, and their manner of speech was
contaminated with gu Arkals .s twanr.-
They were accordingly. on good suspicion,
arrested and placed under guard. A
scout by the name Of Hopper, who was
In the Union service, was marched, at the
point of the bayonet, into the same room.
Tho guard received orders to be doubly
vigilant, as this Hopper was desperate
character, and as he was rebel despera-
do, would no doubt attempt to escape.
The scout was not long in ingratiatiug
himself into the confidence of the others,
and received much valuable information
concerning the rebels.
They informed him, among other things
that they we're spies from Marmaduks'.
army, and he would attack this point Of
Sunday morning, two days hsncs, beine
thirty miles distant on White River "a
the south Of us. An attack WAS also CON
templated upon Springfield about th.
same time. .'sg
After gaining such information Is could
be gained from them, the scout was agar
surrounded by guards, whose fleamins
bayonets-thepoints being 10 fearful prox
unity 70 his body-informed him III.
commanding officer considered him toe
desperate . character to be lef. in such On
insecure place, and must be put in the
jail for better security against his ssca.
ping.
Of course eur Commander soon becsme
acquainted with the information gained
by the scout.
The next morning. Lieut.. Col. Kent
mounted his horse and started for the 6rss
Division, which was 80 miles to the N
E., at little town called Galena, to 90
hcit aid for his command.
We were IN rather oritiaAl sitsation
and something must be done. Our com.
VWr Ill