The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-02-28

Ar1y csrrsspsnAsnee.
Hd'q'rs, let Brigade, Dodge's Div.l
Corinth. Mis-, Feb. Ii, 1868.
EDrroRs CARR CITr :-O Observing that
you have no regular correspondence from
this plaes, you will, perhaps, pardon >
constant reader, and formerly an occa-
sional correspondent, for few lines con-
cerning the condition Of Affairs in this
memorable region.
Your readers are all aware that shout
the first Of last November. Corinth and
it's half finished Notifications were left in
charge, of the end Division. the other
three Divisions joining the army ooncen-
trating at Grand junction. The two
great Rebel armies being at Holly Springs
and Murfreesboro at that time, bat little
remained for US to do in the way of fight
ing, except an occasional excursion into
the country after the forces of Roddy,
Baxter and Faulkner, who were left to
annoy US.
Work on the Notifications has been
vigorously prosecuted all winter, the
heaviest being performed by the colorsd
brigade of sappers and miners under the
excellent Capt. Cassell of the 96th Illi-
nois. who takes great interest in their
welfare. Day after day, At sunrise and
sunset, these sable sons Of Ham can Be
seen, silently bat cheerfully, with pick
or shovel upon their shoalders, vending
their way 70 and from their labors. The
Captain viii not permit the least profani-
ty or disosderly conduct among than,
and their conduct Is standing reproof to
our white soldiers. Surely these people
have earned residence among u.s.
They have buried our dead, and those Of
the enemy; built Notifications, stockades,
magazines, plank roads and bridges. and
they express desire to assist to the VI.
noa Of Gt<ir ability in putting down this
accursed Rebellion That they will make
good soldiers l have not the least doubt
They are quite as intelligent ~ the poor
white population in this part Of Dixie
and learn as readily.
The road to Memphis via Jackson
continues in operation, and is paying .
hand some prof, to The Government.
The gap in the Mobile d Ohio road
between Trenton and Union City, is now
reduced to half mile, and is expected
to be closed in few days. As soon as
that 10 done, We win bring down the roll
ing stock from Columbus and let thai
road go-or At least such is the impres
sion of railroad men here.
Heavy trains Of freight arrive daily
II again cut of, We will hardly be caugh
as scarcs Of provision = We were whe,
Forrest made his celebrated aid upon th
road above ~ in December. We wer
then reduced to quarter rations; but til
Tennessee can furnish VS. ii the railroad
fail.
Van Dorm, with heavy cavalry force
crossed the Tombigbee at Cotton Gin
week ago, and moved northeast. It va
supposed that he was intending to com
round through Iaka. and get between u
and Hamburg, our base Of supplies on th
Tennessee. but the impression now seem
to prevail that he has crossed the Tennei
see near Florence, taking . portion Q
Rodelsy's force with him, with TIE inten
tion Of operating on Rosecran's flank, il
conjunction with Forrest, but late new
from Donelson places the latter gentle
man (Forrsst) in rather an unfortsnat
prsdicament These cavalry raidsrs vii
hardly slip in between Rosscrans ant
Gran. without some trouble.
Whites Rsssl cavalry are rsposted re
pairing the railroad between Olklona Ant
Tspslo. Thia road was destroyed b,
Lees cavalry sent across from Coaeville
assisted By Col. Marsey Of our End Brig
sde. in December last. This il bsin
done in order to transport forage to vicks
burg, probably, though We may have
force precipitated upon us from that di
|, frection before the war is over.
The terrible Rebel oonssript lsw
driving many Of the loyal inhahitants I
: nerthsrn Alabama into the mountaina
whsrs thsy - huntsd and Torn 70 pisc,
BY blood hounds. Many of them hay
I escaped % our lines barsfeotsd, torn -
: bleeding. We ars forming regiment .
!, Alabama cavalry. who have sworn befol
high Heaven tbat they win yet b aysnl
y j n. II n