Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-06-19
FROM THE TdIRTY-FIRST IOWA
Letter from Capt. Speer.

FROM THE THIRTY-FIRsT IOWA.
Letter from Capt. Spcer.
NEAR yIcKspuRa, MISS,
May 29th, 1868. (
MEssRs. EpIroRs: About the 2lst of April
we started from Greenvllle, Mississippi to
Young's Point We had pleasant trip down
the river; remained in our old camp one day
and then moved up to Milikin's Bend, where
we remained five or six days for review,
muster, pay, to wash our clothes, etc. On
the first day of May our regiment and the
29th Missouri Infantry, were ordered to re-
pair the road over which government sup.
plies were being carried to Richmond, "a
small village eight miles from Millisin's
Bend) About the time our work was COM
pleted we were notified that Steele's division
was coming up and ordered to join it and
march 20 Grand Gu.f,-a distance of thirty
five or forty miles below Vicksburg. In
making this march we passed near or over
many splendid plantations and saw some
very large, beautiful and costly buildings.
was led by curiosity to enter and examine
one residence, owned by French DR.. Bo-
niea. which undoubtedly cost $4,000. 1t
was surrounded with the choicest shrubbery
and near it was garden in which was a
large collection Of the rarest flowers in bloom
and an orchard OF the most valuable vines
and fruit trees. The proprietor Of the house
had removed everything which he had time
to take away, and yet there remained seven
teen of the most costly sofas; fourteen mir
rors in gilt frames, from three to four feet
wide and from five to eight feet.hgh. Every
room in the house was furnished with ma
hogany chairs and bedstcads. In one room
| saw splendid piano and mclodeon. l
judged that the chandelier in the main hall
cost $500. In another room were two large
portraits of the proprietor and his wife !; GER
tainly the productions of some master pain
ter. Side boards overlaid with Italian marble,
the finest Brussell's carpets, and much other
furniture Of which | made no note. How
great and noble must that man be, who can
own such plantation, such residence, and
gardens, and such furniture. In one word,
such wealth, and not look upon the poor
man with contempt, who is compelled to
earn his bread by the sweat Of his brow.
/. Before crossing the river l saw the most
valuable specimen Of" Poultry in America
1t was beautiful tame eagle carried near
the colors Of the 9th Wisconsin Infantry
A thousand dollars have been offered for the
bird and were refused. We remained one day
at the Gulf. Examined the enemy's fortifi.
cations, &c. Behind the fort and on the hill
is grave yard. noticed that one of our
shells had passed into the ground and explo.
ded directly undera large marble monument
From the appearance of the hole under the
monument and the pieces of marble, con
cluded that it must have been loud call for
the body under the monument, and that he
must also have been copperhead. part
of Gen. Grants army had severe fight and
won glorious victory at Port Gibson, which
is eighty miles from the Gulf, before we ar
rived. On the 7th Gen Steele's division
marched from the Mississippi river towards
Jackson,--Co. b, of the 3lst Iowa, taking
the lead. A hard days march brought us
to bridge on Black river which we destroy.
ed. On the following day We marched to
the junction Of three roads, few miles from
Black river, where McClernand's and Nc
Pherson's corps were waiting for our arrival
On the 10th, Sherman marched on the CEN
trail road, Mcpherson on the right, and Nc.
Clcrnand on the left. On the 18th the rebels
endeavored to o5struct our, progress by de-
stroying bridge and killing Eve of our men.
But we soon cleared the road, and caused an
equal number Of their men to bite the dust.
On the same day Gen. McPberson had hard
fight at Raymond. The loss on both sides
was considerable, but the rebels were badly
whipped. During the forenoon Of the l4th
it rained hard and wet US to the skin. About
noon the leading brigade Of our division com
menced skirmishing in the suburbs Of Jack
son. We assured ourselves that the loads in
our pieces were dry, and then marched for
the city, and hard fight. in dsuhle quick
time. But when near the encmy's riae.pits
we met civilian who said they were ali gone.
Sherman's and McPherson's corps entered
the city about the same time,,, The double
quick was again doubled. The rebel capital
was ours. And then cheer after cheer went
up which made the city tremble. Before
leaving the rebels had burned the depot con.