The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-11-15
LIEUT.. COZ. DRAxE.

From q long and interesting letter re-
ceived from Little Rock, written some
time ago, the political aud military items
in which We omit as being already we'll
knssn to our readers, We extract the fol-.
Owing concerning . brave and merito-
rious Iowa officer:
"Lieus. Col. Drake, Of the s5th Iowa.
arrived as Little Rock on the lst in.t..
and it Was an affecting sight to see the
welcoming reception this was.worn vete-
ran received. All we're anxious to take
him by The hand, aud % / looked upop
this brave officer who has immortalised
himself on the late Camden expedition, a
he leaned upon his erusch aud snilinsly
rendered his hand TO all, from the com.
nsnding General of the department. down
TO the private soldier--all Of whom seem.
ed to vie with each other in giving him
the 6rst shake-I inquired Of . staff Off.
Ger what the Colonel had done particu
larly more than to get shot BY the rsbels.
And l learned that he had vent out on
the late Camden expedition . subaltern
officer in his regiment, that in every bat
tie in which his brigade had participated
he had been conspicuous, that At the bat.
tie OF chelmsford on the Little Missouri
he had commanded all the forces in the
immediate front and after Eve hours des-
perate lighting, during whch his detach-
ment of less them 400 men bad borne The
brunt Of the battle against 5000 troop.
under Gsneral Aarmsduke, sustained
nearly the entire loss. and his troops had
captured two rebel oficsrs-one Lieu
tenant aud aid Of General Marmaduke
and repeling and inAicting severe los,
on the eaemy-that with ave companies
Of his regiment and four pieces of artil
lery be had been charged with the re-
sponsibility Of coveri6g The rear Of Gene
raj Solomon's division in the march OF
Camden. and holding the junction o
roads sixteen miles FROM Csnden from
two till FIVE p. m, until relieved By Gen
Thayer in person; that it vas his regi
ment, and be in command of it. tba
we're holding Britton's Mill. I miles frou
Camden, aud about which SO much alarm
was felt when our fonge train, the 1911
Iowa and Kansas colored regiment wer
out to pieces, and that through his cool
ness and sound judgement i. was brouph
ont safely with all the grain, camp euuip
age. DC, as though no enemy had bee,
near. That when the Dad brigade Q
Solomon's division and force OF cavalr
and artillery we're entrusted with th
hazardous duty Of escorting our suppl
train to procure rations frcm Pine Blu
for the troops-then on half rations--L
Col. Drake was entrusted with the re
sponsibility, of the entire command.-
And have assurances from those VII
know, that after Gloss Investigation, Ger
Steele is fully satisfied that the oommsp
was entrusted in able and efIlcient hand
, His energy and the rapidity With whic
30 prosecutes his march With : train.
heavy Government wagons drawn byhdl
famished mules, stretching ! distance
) four miles in length over roads thas we,
next to impossible, and ! great part
which had to BE- repaired every few roc
! before they could - pessed--and Il
. brAve, ditermined asd stubborn mann,
IN which be resisted the attack cf 8. q
reosis commended by expssiensed =
sble Genelals, Nth . force Of lsfleen ~
. drsd men for the space of .flye herr.
J. felt that thsre vas no w0adsr s. hai !
spired the interest, love And sssssn