The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-12-21

Letter from Geo. O. Wood.
CAMP NEAR NASHVILLE,
@ ~ ~, 10Th
- Tenn. Dec. 18th.

Tenn, Dec 18th.
Dsai Times Since the arrival here,
Of our Division (the 3d. the name of
our former organization as I'D Division of
the 10th Army Corps has ceased to exist,
and now assumes the name Of the I'd Dr.
vision detachment of the army of the
Tcnn., which detachment comprises d.
visions, viz: lst, I'd and Sd, the LIST COM
manded by Gen. Macarthur, the Cd by
Gen. Garrard and the Sd by Col. Moore
all under command Of Gen. A. }. Smith.
mention this fact for the benefit of
correspondents, as some trouble in relation
to the reception Of our mail matter may
exist for while, until the change made is
understood by all concerned.
The two armies confronting each other
here, under Gems. Thomas and Hood, no
doubt attract considerable attention at pre-
sent, and battle is constantly looked for,
by all anxious readers Of news in the
North; but assure you it troubles us very
little. Skirmishing has been kept up &C.
lively, up to the 9Th inst, between the
pickets of both armies doing but very
slight damage on either side; but as the
weather grew much colder the past four
days, very little has been done. Even our
Artillery, that kept up slow but constant
firing at different parts Of our lines has
ceased to belch its laundering notes. We
can plainly see the rebel camp fires, which
are about mile from our line of breast
works. The rebel line Of breastworks,
however, at one point to our left, are not
more than 700 yards distant The strength
of our force under Thomas cannot be less
than $4,000 men, which is no doubt as
large as that Of Hood: the latter however
has very strong position and would like
very we'll to draw us out to rake us from
his range of hills. If Thomas were as
rash as Hood has proved himself to be,
Hood might hope for such result. AS
the weather here is cold at present, with
two inches of crusted snow on the ground
it is not reasonable to suppose that Hood,
with an army poorly clad can make hasty
move from here even If he were anxious
to, without great discontinue to his ar.
my. He cannot contemplate an attack on
this point longer, for if he should carry
such design into execution, he could
never get out of Tenn, With an army. l
therefore do not expect much activity in
military affairs at this point until a force
is concentrated in Hoods rear to attract
bis attention; then it will be time for de.
monstratons to commence in his front, but
not before. In addition to our force above
mentioned, the city affords 10000 govern
-ment employees, who are all armed, and
might relieve the same number Of fighting
troops, to assume the offensive when the
time for action comes. 5a,-ns u@.
have visited Nashville several times
since we arrived here, and found the streets
crowded in confused manner with gov.
eminent teams, drays &C., &C., while the
scene on the sidewalks is not less exciting
to an observer A dense populace Of SOL
diers, citizens and others, comprising all
classes Of society, going back and forth
some lettering in idleness, having no parti-
cular vocation-others again on active bus
mess, military and civil, not caring much
whether they bang against the loterers in
their hurry, or not. Goods Of all kinds
are sohigh, and labor commands such
price, that person can scarcely look at or
touch anything worth noticing, but what
requires heavy payment in greenbacks.-
business is done in hungling manner and
with looser system than at any place have
ever been in. Nashville is larger city
than Memphis, but it is not so neat in its
appearance, nor so well laid out. -. ,--s---
Before close this letter, L wish to re-
mind you of the fact that | have not re-
ceiyed copy Of the NORTH Iowa TINES
since left McGregor, until to day, when
received your issue of Nov. 23d addressed
to "Overton Hospit.i" at Memphis. from
which place it was forwarded to me at this
city. With the hopes Of making Hoods
army some Christmas or New Years pres.
ents in the hardpare line, 1 wish your
many readers "Merry Christmas"