The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-24
From tho 2lst Iowa.

INDIANoLA, Texas, Jan. 30, 1864.
Dear Times: Moved again. Once NOR,
the 2lst has gone the length of the battal
lien into Dixie, and we are now encampet
on the banks Of Bay Levacca, and quarter
ed in comfortable houses, with a fair view
Of the Bay and surrounding country
From the hausctops we can, with glass
SEQ the towns of Levaca and Texana
whichare occupied by rebel Cavalry. Th'
towns from this point look as if they wer,
Of considerable size, presenting two larg'
steeples and and several three story busi
ness houses. Levaca is the point at which
our army, under Scott, commenced thei,
advance on Fort Brown ard Mexico; it wa.
a post for military stores prior to this re
bellion. 1t was here that the LIST U. S. In
fantry embarked for N. Y. after being Sur
rendered by Gen. Twiggs. The Bay is a
fine sheet of water Is miles in length ant
from to B miles in breadth, with channe
sufficiently wide and deep to admit o
small sized ocean steamers, but they say
the channel is filled with torpedoes, and
therefore unsafe to navigate. Our trans
ports do not come farther than Powderhorn
which is four miles below us on the bay
where it makes into Matagorda. The shoal
water of Bay Levaca is one continuous oys.
ter bed, of fine quality, very easily obtain.
ed, and you can bet that our mess tables
are made to grunt under the load of Stewed,
Fried and Raw that is heapcd upon them,
done up in the latest approved style. Often
do we hear the remark, II wish our folks
at home could have some ofthese blessings"
This is the first instance in my life where
distance has lent enchantment to the view
Of Home. 1t has almost faded from my
memory, yet with a fondness amounting
to idolatry, do we cling to the shadows of
those happy faces we once greeted at the
tireside. In the pursuit of wealth and en-
joyment you may for time forget the SOL
dier, but he will forget home, neuer. While
you are enjoying your feast days and fast
days, do you occasionally drop line or
tip glass to absent friends. well we do,
boss y
The troops encamped here are the LIST,
I'd, and Sd Brigades of LIST Division 18th
Army Corps. commanded by Brig. Gen.
W. T. Benton. The expedition is in com.
mand Of Major General N. j. T.. Dana.
Brig. Gen. Fiz Henry Warren, is in COM
mand Of the 1st Brigade. Col. Harris of
the 18th Wisconsin commands the I'd
B1iga de. We are having a nice time of it
here, nothing but picket guard, cook and
cat, and occasionally have small party, or
a dance, to pass off the lonely hours. The
majority of the inhabitants of this place are
Germans, honest appearing, industrious,
and prior to the outbreak they had good
homes, and the comforts of this life around
them, but they raised the arm of rebellion.
The blow they aimed at the government
has been effectually parted; the blow has
passed between them and their once happy
homes, and now, even in this small town
you can find families who are depending on
our Commissary for the necessities of life;
the Husband, and perhaps Father, in the
rebel ranks fighting against US! Many of
these instances are deserving of sympathy,
while others are deserving death worse
than starvation, if it were not for the name
of America starving her own.
There is considerable excitement here
on account Of enlsting in the veteran vol.
unteer service. The 33d I'll. has gone, the
9Th and 18th Indiana, and 18th Wisconsin
are going next month, and there is some
talk Of the 2lst, 22d, and 23d Iowa, going
in too; but none IF it is. for me. I am Get
eran enough, and if the fanatics that are at
the head Of this are allowed to keep on in
their own way. this war will make many
an old veteran; but never mind God will
step in and play the Babel game on them.
The spells are getting to be quite bone of
contention.
The 2lst is commanded by Major w. d.
CEooKE, who is working both day and night
to make us comfortable, and from the Looks
of the piles Of clothing, rations, &C., in the
Q. M. Department, his 'gentle voice" has
been heard at Headquarters, and his noble
efforts have not been fruitless. 1t is his in.
tention to parade the 2lst this evening in
new Clothing and full havcrsacks. This
is feat accomplished, that will afford him
happy reflections in coming years.
Let me here remark that the 2lst, when
it is dressed up and plenty to eat, can take
things as they come about as cool as any
of them. Young ladies, when they return
look out when they set themselves down to
seige those hearts of yours. The batteries
that can repulse their advances will be OF
no mean construction; their "prcscnt
arms" will, if not guarded, SO captivate you
that at once you will give the command,
Support" Depend upon it, they can eat
poor dinner with as little murmuring as
any of the stay-at-home rangers, besides
they will be perfectly acquainted with the
Afantry drill.
1t was read to us on dress parade that
COL Merrill and Capt. Boardman had been
reinstated, and would report at once to their
sa.a + G y4 ~
command. This was good news to US all.
Their return will be hailed with joy. There
are some that will be mutton chopped over
1t, but that makes-never mind; the strau
game will not always win. H.