The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-01-06
Army Correspondence.


ARK, Dec. 10Th, 1868.
Dear Times Il will write you few
lines this evening, although my head is
somewhat confused by reason of working
among figures all day have been putting
the clothing account" Of the boys into
dollars and cents shape, which, to me, is
always tedious job. What is the reason
some cute Yankee didn't invent machine
for adding up long columns of figures? 1t
would be great labor-saving institution.
Little Rock has some attractions for the
war.worn soldier, and there are many of
our boys who have already formed very
ardent attachments for the place. There
are some bright eyes which beam tenderly
upon the soldier, and which no doubt will
be suffused with tears when the army
leaves here for another field of glory
There is, however, but little danger of our
leaving here soon. This is point of two
much importance to wantonly cast aside
for other conquests. The Arkansas riv1
is in our possession and forms our base of
operations in the southern portion Of the
department of the Missouri" Scouts
arc sent out from here in every direction,
and keep the enemy at . respectful dis
lance. Some six or seven days ago large
scout was sent out towards the Wachita.
The boys returned this evening and report
having seen some fun during their absence.
They encountered body Of several humid
red rebels about 60 or 20 miles from here
which they routed after some severe skirm-
ishing. The enemy lost seven men killed,
besides greater number wounded, and
lost their baggage train, and camp equip.
age. Our boys brought in thirty prison.
ers, lot of contrabands and quite mum.
Der of valuable mules. The only man
injured on our side is Alexander McClasky,
private of Co. TX" 1st Iowa Cavalry. He
was shot in the arm and shoulder-the
bone being SO badly shattered that his arm
had to be anputated at the shoulder joint.
He was left behind at rebel hospital in
Princeton. Some of the prisoners taken
bear the marks Of the sabre--''ear marks
that will serve to distinguish them long af.
ter this cruel war is over.
There is no considerable body of rebels
very Lear Little Rock at present. Some
predatory bands hang around to pick of
stragglers, but they are little shy always
looking out for place to retreat in good
order, which with these skalawags, signi
fies-"evary man in different direction J!
The wretches have recently torn up the
railroad track and cut the telegraph wires
between here and Duvalls Bluff, so it ma
teIially affects our communication with
that point. However, it will be but shor
time till the machine is running again as
usual. A few days since, about two hund
red guerrillas attempted to gobble up :
small detachment of the LIST Missouri Cav
airy that was coming in from Benton. Th'
boys didn't fancy the gobbling process, 81
they cut their way throug the guerrilla
band and came into the city, though they
lost five men before they got out Of tn
trap.
Recruiting is going on briskly in thi
State. Arkansas is coming up nobly t
the work. The cruel thraldom Of rebel rul
has satisfied the people here that "lhe wa,
Of the transgressor is hard" In shor
time Arkansas will have a force sufficien
to maintain peace at home, and, in con
junction with other troops, drive ever,
armed rebel from her soil. Quite Unio
sentiment is being developed in this cit
and vicinity. Charity forbids US going be
hind the actions Of those who manifest dc
cided Union procliyities, TO inquire tn
motire; perhaps it is policy perhaps MOI
There is some e.enlisting going on anon
the soldiers Of the old regiments, thong
the veteran corps is not receiving as larg
accessions as it would il there were create
inducements presented in the way of ful
loughs. We now have SO large an exter
Of territory to occupy that but few soldier
can be spared at present, consequently OF
~ small proportion of the veteran yolur
teers can be fsrloughed, for some time
When better facilities are offered for Ii
old soldiers to revisit their homes, ha,
no doubt re-enlisting will form quite a
item in the operations of this Army.
The weather is fine-warm enough f
October. Not fake of snow has yet ia
len, and We have but very little rain sin,
we'crossed the Arkansas river on the 10,
of September. The health Of the army
improving constantly, and the boys q
seem to be in excellent spirits.
Yours truly,
FRANK.