The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-10-15
ARMY CoEsEsEsPoNDENCE.
BRAsuEAR CITY, La, /
Sept. 10Th, 1868.

1
a recent trip from 0ttuluwa, to the waters
of the Gulf Of Mexico, supposing that they
will not be unacceptable to your readers.
especially as the route travelled, has but
recently been re-opcned, and therefore pre-,
sentS features Of novelty to all.
Having taken passage on the Burlington
train, on a pleasant afternoon in Aug, we
soon were. speeding on our way, iro IN, your
aourishis town, which by the way pres
ents more evidences of thrift and prosperi-
ty than any other place that came under
my notice, during my visit North.
Monday found us at MENDOZA, where our
road strikes the Illinois Central. Here we
turn our way Southwark, and another
morning opens upon US, as we enter the
commercial emporium of Egypt Here we
are at first reminded, that we are returning
to the scenes of war. The crowds of sold
iers that meet you in the streets, the grim
looking boats which lie at anchor in the
river, with their huge guns piercing their
sides, together WITH the sounds of martial
music floating in the air, admonish you that
bloody scenes Of strife may not be far dis.
| tant. We are soon on board one of those
! elegant steamers composing the line of
| Memphis Packets, and leaving the broad
! Ohio, we commence our journey on the
Father of Waters" 1t Is not long until
Columbus is in view, which at no distant
period, was considered the Gibralter of the
Southern Confederacy, but is now improv-
ing under the auspices of Uncle Sam
| Directly opposite, is the battle. field of Bel
mont, consecgated by the blood Of some Of
Wapelo's brave sons.
Before night closes the scene we pass the
once furnishing town of Hickman, which
now presents dieary and desolate appear
ancc, which nothing but war can produce.
During the next day, Fort Pillow is the on.
i ly point of interest to attract our attention,
until evening brings US in sight of the beau.
tiful city oflMemphis. This place, which
the rebels declared should be destroyed, be.
} fore it should fall into the hands of the
Yankees, still exists, and now presents
i quite prosperous appearance. Under the
hands of its new protectors, many Improve
ments have been made-business has reviv-
} ed, and Memphis is once more busy town
1t can boast Of q public square, adorned
with rare trees and shrubbery, which make
it one Of the most inviting s pots hay
seen. -sf
But our destination is further southwark,
and We must hurry on. Finding at the
wharf, the good steamer Sunshine bound
for Natchez, we take passage on her, and
renew our journey. We soon land at TIele.
ma, the scene Of the defeat Of the rebel
army under Gen. Price, who has reputa.
ton in the South, for his great success IN
always escaping from his enemies. Onr
stay'at Helena is short, and onward we GO
into the region of Geurrillas. The passen-
gers began to talk Of the dangers ahead,
and to speculate on the chances of being fir,
,
cd into, but we, glide peacefully along
nothing malests or makes US afraid, and
the next point of interest Vicksburg is
seen in the distant. AS we look at its
commanding position, and cast, our eyes
along the range of batteries, whose guns
can control almost every foot of the, channel
for miles, we wonder how it was possible
for single steamer to pass, without being
torn to atoms. Yet the feat was accomp-
lished-the rear of Vicksburg was gained.
and the stronghold Of the rebellion snrren-
dered to the army Of the Union. I will not
attempt to give description Of the place, as
that has been recently done by ADLER pens,
Our first business here, was to report to
Gen. Grants headquarters, where we learn,
ed that the 18th Army Corps which we
had left at this place, less than month
since, was now at New Orleans.
In few hours we leave Vicksburg, and
soon reach Grand Gulf, which was only
second to the former, in strength of posi-
ton. How different the scene which row
| greets our eyes, from that which we wit.
messed from the opposite shore, on the 29th
of APRIL last! Then, fierce and bloody
battle was raging between our Gunboats on
the river and the powerful batteries of the
rebels on shore--now, our boat quietly
lands, and permits party of eleven Scouts
| ern. Ladies" to go ashore, with their store:
Of -four and bacon, and other subsiantials Of
life, which they have drawn from the Uni
ted States Commissary at Vicksburs. One
Of the party, as | was informed by an off,
Ger who had been on duty at the Gulf was
very bitter in denunciation of our soldiers
before Vicksburg fell, and only wanted the
power to hang every one OF them, but now
she meekly receives her rations from Uncle
Sam. But we must hasten onward and .
few hours will bring us to Natchez. This
city, with IFS clean streets, protected, from
the heat of the sun by beautiful shade trees
its fine churches, and handsome residences
is the most inviting place have seen in tn,
South. Through the influence of its veal
thy inhabitants, the army has been .kepi
away from here, and consequently it has
been preserved to great extent, from tina
destruction which follows in the track o
armies. The city still shows marks of tn,
destruction caused by the terrible tornado
with which it was visited in 1910. Beins