The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-18


which will be eagerly read BY those hav-
ing friends in the 10th:
ALEXANDRIA, La, Nov. l, 1883.
MY DEAR ELLA If you should re-
ceive this letter you may be surprised, as
l am prisoner. l send it BY prisoner
who will attempt to escape tonight, and
who will mail it, if successful, on reaching
our lines. Yon may have heard of our
capture through the papers ere this. but
it may not be truthful account. You
can tell BY my former letters and your
map, where we we're, seven miles distant
from Norganza, our main force being
there, and the enemy's seven miles be-
yond, on the Atchafalaya. The 10Th
Iowa and Goth Indiana, and about sixty
others, were stationed at this place.
amounting to 535 men in all.
During q heavy rain. which began on
Monday night. Sept. ssth, the enemy
crossed the Atchafalaya, and vending
their way by circuitous route through
the swamps. succeeded in gaining the
rear of our position, between us and our
main force at Morganza, and lay in the
fields Of cane close to our camp. They
numbered 800 men, consisting of two
brigades Of infantry. About noon, on
Tuesday, they moved on to US while at
dinner, the rain still pouring down.
Many Of the boys having finished their
dinners had lain down to rest, and when
the firing commenced, rushed into the
fight without shoes, coats or hats, and
we're taken prisoners in that condition.
was on duty and consequently had al
my clothes on and rubber-blanket, and
am we'll off for clothing. We fought des-
perately for one hour and ten minutes,
against those two brigades-three times
our number-and had nearly succeeded
in cutting our way through to the river,
when two brigades Of cavalry aud one OF
infantry, with six pieces Of artillery, in all
about |, ZOO men, were seen coming up
from another direction, and completely
surrounding us We were obliged to sur
render. Our loss was IA killed and 40
wounded. The rebels lost 2s killed and
81 wounded, and ii missing.
received a wound during the battle
IN my left shoulder, the ball passing
through my collar-bone and striking the
shoulder-blade, cracking it slightly and
then glancing off in some other direction.
The doctors were unable to find the ball,
and it is still in my shoulder some place,
but the wound is nearly well, so much SO
that have been dismissed from the hos
pital one week.
have enjoyed excellent health since
my capture, although our fare is only
corn-brssd, beet and molasses. 1t agrees
with me, SO far. very we'll, and my health
Is better than when at home. Since
capture, sold my watch for = my
Confederate money. can sioo IN
money for one Of ours ees ~ VI 'neil
fer. When we 80 snail not SUI
eannot noss;p will be exchanged,
and it, -,y end out; it may be soon,
~ -nsy be long time. Do not worry
,drself about my welfare--I have three
good blankets. and change of clothes
shirts, pants and drawers. occasionally,
not unfrequently, find soldiers who are
in the Confederate army, who are my
friends, (Union.) As whole, / have
been treated better than they treat their
own men.
/ had SIX other balls pass through my
clothes besides the one that wounded me
one under my left arm, slightly scratch
ing my arm; one through ny left panta-
loon leg. below the knee one between
my legs, close to my right thigh one
through my haversack, close to my right
side; one through my hat close to nv
head; and one cutting the top of my hat,
but | am yet in hopes of seeing you
again; and l want you to keep up good
spirits, and | think it may not be long
till | am again free.
We were captured by the Texans. and
the regiment was sent TO Texas. and i.
now at Tyler, Smith county, Texas, about
$50 miles from here. This place is on
Red River, about 90 miles from its
mouth. Lew. Walters is the oplv ono %
the Dover boys, besides myself. who -.
In the fight and not hurt, and is with tho
company at Tyler. Whether 1 win bs
sent there or kept here, do not know
Twenty Of our company. besides the Can.
tam (Adams) are prisoners. One j.
with me.
Be good girl, and teach Leol. to be /.
christian. and If should never get homo
try and give her good education. and