Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
Letter rom MemnI,fs.
CAMP2D iowa CAVALRY, NEAR MEMPHIS, !
SafnrdaU 1890


least in actual ldoperations i'm this
section. The duty comes pretty heavy
upon this regiment at this time, we hav-
ing to picket all, or nearly all, of the
roads entering the city of Memphis, be-
sides having daily patrol in the streets
and our camp and horse guards, all of
which keeps the boys most Of the time
on duty. 5 ~asT -"@a
The regiment was ordered to the city,
or rather to the open field adjoining FIT.
Pickering, this afternoon, to witness the
execution of three soldiers belonging. to
the I'd New Jersey Cavalry, who were
tried by court martial and sentenced
to be shot. Their crime was committed
upon the person of a young girl II years
of age, who resided in this city, and
who has subsequently died. 1t was in
deed most aggravated case of human
depravity, and the only amelioration
that the poor, deluded wretches could
plead in eXtenuatiOn of their horrible
offense was, that they were under the
influence of liquor at the time" A
most solemn warning.
The 37th, or Gray Beard regiment, az
rived here night before last, and are now
camped near the old Memphis Fair
Ground. The 35th Iowa Infantry also
arrived here last night from below, and
the 44th and 45th 600 days mem from
above, at about the same time. The
men of the 35th look to be pretty much
used up by the fatigues of their late cam
paign.
The Sd and 4th Iowa cavalry are en-
camped near us, between this and
Memphis,) but most of their men are
out at present on a scout. The 18th Kan
sas, Jayhawkers, are also near us. The
8th Iowa Infantry, under Col. Geddis,
are still on provost duty in Memphis. =
They are well liked by the citizens of
the place.
showery. Corn is about waist high, and
small grain will soon do to harvest
Garden vegetables are very plentiful in
the Memphis market, and occasionally
a wagon load is brought into our camp,
such, for instance, as new potatoes,
green peas, lettuce, onions, beets, tur-
nips, &c.
Thanks to the generosity of Major
Horton, L have had the pleasure of pc
rusing several copies of your valuable
paper since our return to Dixie. And
now, while thinking of it, / wish to
say few words about Maj. Horton, or
Charley, as he is Familiarity called at
home, who is one of the best fellows and
most gallant cavalry officers in the
Southwestern department. He is a uni
versal favorite among the boys, and he
is also highly esteemed by the officers of
the regiment. He is 1st Major, and is
now in command of the regiment, Col.
Coon being in command of the brigade.
/ must soon close this already lengthy
communication, but before doing so
wish to say a few words in regard to
writing to soldiers. Letters are the sol
diers' food, as it were, and when you de-
prive him of them you deprive him of a
great deal of comfort and satisfaction
Since we have returned from our homes
and the society of the loved ones there,
our supplies Of mail matter have been
very scant, and every day when the
mail arrives you may see an eager
throng pressing towards the regimental
pOstoffice from all parts of the regiment,
and there awaiting with all anxiety the
distribution of the mail and it is most
painful towitness the look of disappotnt-
ment so plainly depicted upon the coun-
tenances of those who receive no letters
rs they slowly return to their quarters.
And now, friends, let me say to you, one
and all, who have friends and relatives
in the army, write to the boys often
whether you have much to write about
or not Remember that that is the only
connecting link that many of us have
between US and the civilized world, for
the time being, and you sever that by
not sending us your gentle reminders,
and we are at once, and some of us for
ever ruined. Then ,chy 'front.' you ar5ite
The health of the company and regj-
ment is about as good at this time, if not
much better, than for u month or two
back.
Since writing the above the 18th and
18th regiments Iowa infantry have also
arrived here from somewhere below
There are, l should judge, some 2o,o00 or
80, 900 troops stationed here now. For
what purpose 50 large force is being
concentrated at this point, is more than
/ know, but | suppose it is intended to
allow those that have been out recently
to recuperate their wasted energies, and
then make this the starting point for an
other raid down in Dixie.
Yours, &C.,
I. j. ANTHONY,
Company x, ID Iowa Cavalry.
80 r~. <z-------
ARTIFICIAL LIMBs.--The Govern
nlent contractors are supplyingartificial
arms and legs to soldiers as rapidly is
possible. The Government pays $50 for
each one, except the arm, which has a
life-like wrist motion, for which 800 is
paid. The applicants are so numerous
that the makers are nearly six months
behind in filing orders
ia 1t was Andrew Johnson, of Ten
nessee, who, i'll the Senate of the United
States, when the secessionists were de-
serting their posts, dared to sayto them,
as he significantly shook his finger at
Jeff: Davis, " If [ were the President I
would arrest you as traitors, try you as
traitors, and hang you as traitors"
be- The rebels in Arkansas are plum
dering and numbering, except in the
districts embraced within the Union
lines. The massacre of a party of refu-
gees near Batesville, including seventy
men and four women, which was
thought almost too horrible for belief, is
confirmed.
re- The following are the IS members
OF the House who voted against the re-
peal OF the Fugitive Slave Law. There
yx,nr nfa fot h ,oo1 T