The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-01-01
SPRINGFIELD, No,
Dec. 9Th. 1862.

DEAR SIR :-Having become rested from
a long and fatiguing march, being in active
service from the time we started until now,
I thought I would embrace the present OPP
portunity of rede eming my promise ofsend.
ing you small sketch Of my travels and
experience up to the present time.
We started from Clinton Aug. 18th, and
arrived at St. Louis shortly after stopped
but few days 10 Benton Barracks, and was
sent to Sedalia. The Rebels seemed to be
concentrating near that vicinity after the
affair Of Lone Jack, which made our pres
ence there necessary. Remained there
about 10 days. Our Regiment at this time
was about $50 strong of stout able looking
fellows Our condition has msteriall
changed since From Sedalia we marched
to Springfield, $50 miles without anything
ofinterest occurring, being troubled much
with the dust, and want of water. At
Springfield there WAS much excitement
about the place being attacked by the Sc
cesh. To secure this post against superior
numbers series o. forts was built adlnira-
bly,, posted and fanked by rifle pitts, Of
these the 18th Iowa had the honor of build
ing fort No. 9, which they did in about 10
days The enemy being in force at New
tonia we were sent there to assist Gen. Sol
ONION. We were now to undertake an ex-
petition commanded by Cen. Schofeld. our
brigade commanded by Gen. Totten. The
object of this expedition was to drive the
enemy from Missouri, and break their Or
gsnized plan Of invading this State which
was successful. At Newtona n plan was
laid to capture the rebel command. After
marching all night and near: the town we
were fired upon by the Rebels. One Sergt.
of Company | was killed, and others
wounded, the rebels fed We arrived in
town in time to see the Rebels scatter being
pursued by the Cavalry, aud Artillery
The plan failed in part by the State Militia
not being able to intercept them on the
South road, we captured some prisoners
small arms, and 2 cannons. We expected
n fight here as the rebels were well po'tea
with large force. At Cad Fly we tried
them again, but they broke sinto guerrilla
parties and fed Our forces then assem-
bled at CaSsvile, with the enemy at Cross
Hollows, after resting while we pushed
forward to Pea Ridge, expecting the rebels
to stand or attack US there, but they had no
notion oftrying this ground again. The
scene Of the battle fought here is plainly no.
ticed by the broken trees in all directions.
the bones of dead horses lying by the road,
and the number of balls imbedded IN the
trees, pieces of shell lying around etc. To
the right was grave yard, where the slain
lay buried each soldiers name written on
his head board at his grave. I observed
that the Sd Iowa Cavalry. and 4th Iowa was
well represented here The enemy not lik.
ing our intentions as usual departed. Ac.
cording'y one evening we started for Hunts
vile Is miles distant to the East, to pay our
respects to Marmakuke and his camp
of rebel conscripts. Here we cross
a very rough country, tine soil was poor and
stroag, but the scenery beautiful on the
summits there is nlenty of yellow pine tim.
Der. On our march We wadei White River
AMI branches several times, the c3ldness of
the bath rather raised our ideas. On this
march We left our trains and sick behind SO
as not to be encumb red, We had marched
over % hours steady, scarcely stopping in
time to roast piece of bacon, or warm
cup of coffee. 1t was late in the next even
ing when we came up to the rebel camp.
many of our boys laid by the road exhaust
ed by hard marching, and want of Sleep
Next morning he was g,ne, bat fell IN with
Gen B!unts Command, yielding battery
complete, and many prisoners as token of
his esteem. Our next position was Usage
Springs, from this point we m,rched on
Fayetteville, a fine and beautiful town 20
miles distant, marching as usual at night ar
rived at 3 A. NJ. The reba.s after a few
shots rctreatcd. Nothing could exceed the
curiosity Of the citiz ms, to sac the U,ion
troops in town, by many we were welcome
while many appeared distant AMI cold. We
pursued the enemy east to White River,
exchanged a few shots with him, rushed on
him with our bsyonets when they broke and
fed. Gen Heron intervening him taking
Ambulance, wagons, prisoners, horses &C.,
then we returned to Fayetteville having
marched over 40 miles dove the enemy
and scattered his forces all within twenty.
four hours. At Fayetteville were many
sick rebels in the Hospital, paroied them
took many camp utensils. and other pro
perty, including medicines. Finding the
enemy not willing to test us, and our com
missary stores difficult to reach US. The
army ofthe Frontier returned to Ozark. leay
ing Gen. Blunt at Cassvie to watch mo-
tons, and from present accounts he is being
occupied. From Ozark we came to this DO,
where this R,si nens is ding past duty at
present
All this sounds easy All natural to az
c'inplish up'n paper, but when yoa take
into consideration tn, short time W, have
been in the field oay months anil the
distance travelled over 600 miles, to accom-.
plish it, and the effect produced upon the
Regiment by fatigue, dust aad exposure.
now numbering about 800 men fit for duty,
the re ma n Ter hein, /, Hosnit,l aud mann