The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-08-17
MEMPHIS, Tenn, August 5, 1864.


DEAR TINES w hen l wrote last ex-
pected to be able to give you more minute
particulars in relation to the last raid and
faeht at Tupelo, but there has been so
much, disput;"g between the friends Of the
different departments or branches Of the
~rry that it is hard to tell who did Their
duty best. A Cavalry officer claims that
the cavalry done about all the hard work
and friends Of the A. D.. troops claim that
they done most of the fighting. l have
sent you papers containing the views Of all
parties, from which, if you received, you
will be able to draw your own conclusions.
have no doubt but that all done their
duty pretty well under the circumstances,
but as it is we'll known that cavalry in this
department never fight only when the enc.
my are on the run, we expect nothing moro
Of them, and in this instance the rebels
were not followed up for the reason that
tho infantry were out Of ammunition an?
rations and could not support the cavalry.
That the blacks done well no candid man
disputes, but that they done everything is
not true, But they are all off again, and
we shall soon hear Of more fighting unless
Forest Is satisfied already that there is Q
use in his trying to whip Gen. y. +. Smith
One Brigade left here or transports Tor
White River, whilst the remainder OF
Smiths army moved out again on the rail
road and are at this time occupying Holly
Springs and the bridge across the Tale
hatchie River where the Mississippi Central
Railroad crosses that stream. How much
farther South they intend going am un.
able to say, or the object in going that far,
but thereis one thing do know, and tina.
is, that the troops under Gen. Smith never
calculate to be whipped while Smith leads
them. Col. Shaw now commands a divis
ion, which position he is well qualified to
filk Our men have the utmost confidence
jn him: he is tough enough aud ready.
..,,, Our wounded men here in hospital arc
doing well generally. Two men of our re
ginent and both Of Co. A, died of thei,
wounds, viz: Charles Cole and James o
burn. Clark OF Co. F, and Wardell of Co
D, are not doing as well as would like to
see them Of the latter have my doubts
OF his recovery: he is shot through the
breast and near the heart. All are anx ;ous
to get into some Northern hospital, and are
pnxionsly waiting the fulfillment of prom.
-ise made them a few days ago by Col Todd
that he would have them transferred to
Keokuk. had the pleasure of meeting
with Col. Todd and Doctor Fuller, of Keo
kuk, who came down here and were Lelow
IS far as Vicksbulg, with full powers to
have our Iowa sick and wounded trans
ferred to Keokuk, but there being no hos.
pital boat here, the Superintendent of Hos.
pitals, DR.. Irwin, refused to make the trans
fer, and the Colonel and Doctor have
returned to St Louis to secure a hospital
boat, and will doubtless return as soon as
possible to carry out and fulfill their prom
Use. The Colonel says he will not give it
up SO, and taking the man as he appears, I
think he will succeed. There is no reason
why Iowa men should not be cared for in
Iowa hospitals, and can be If the matter is
properly attended to. Gen. Washburn is
allowing the largest liberties in the matter,
ever willing and ready to do anything in
his power tc alleviate the suffering soldier.
have just had the pleasure of an hours
chat with an old friend, the Hon. Joseph
Grimes Of our county he is down on a
visit to his son, who is in hospital with a
broken arm, wounded in the fight at Tupo-
IA. Young Grimes belongs to the 10Th
Iowa.
Corp. Dykens has just come in from
Holly Springs, and reports our men in fine
spirits; they took the citizens by surprise,
and taking watermelons, apples aud
peaches by the bushel. He reports the
bridge across the Tallahatchie partly dc.
strOyed, but they had found no rebels in
arms up to that place. .a.':e g..
Sergt. Evcrall has just shown me about
one. half Of the bullet that he was wounded
with that the doctor has just taken from
his neck, where it has lain since the time
Of the wound; it is rough, fiat piece O
led and in no wise resembles bullet. HI,
is doing well.
Cotton comes in slowly and the marke
is very dull. Every thing in the eating
line is very scarce. and dear. The wcathe,
is not so warm and we have had frequent
showers Of rain lately, laying the dust anc
ma king travelling much better am nov
serving on military commission for thu
trial Of citiz,n or soldiers tor crime Tn,
case before us now is that of b. b. Smith
for the murder Of Lieut. Donaldson, son o
A. j. Donaldson, once a candidate for Vic,
President. Both parents are witnesses
and are "A fine appearing old couple ano
claim to be truly loyal. Yours,
THOMAS G. DRlPs.