The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-11-23

From the 2Ist Iowa.
OFFICE OF THE X. q. NJ, 2lsr IowA,(
Mourn OF WnlrE RIVER, Nov. 5, "a.
Dear Times: In my last, l told yo'
that the whereabouts of the 21st woul,
be forwarded as soon as anchored, ant
here il is. We left st. Charles on the 2O,l
Of Oct, on board the good steamer Shenan
60, in toe of the Pocah ontas. The reason
given for this, was that one of the boat!
being stern wheel and the other side
wheel, they could manage the crooks ant
turns better; "with refferance to matrimo
ny, this has striking allusion."
Passing the deserted town Of Abberdeir
on the left bank, and the ruins Of
on the right, we at length made sharp
curve that brought us in sight of the fal
famed DuValls Bluff; here we disembarked
in the evening, ard it was not until the
small hours of night that our heads pressed
the mother earth, to find that comfort
that soldiers life and government rations
cannot bring, that is, sound slumbers and
pleasant dreams. On the following morning,
the order was, build winter quarters; and
from the sound of axes, and busy hum
of voices, one would have thought that the
woods were alive with Yankees, when in
fact it was nothing but Stacks Brigade,
building mincature shattoos for the winter;
but mark you, how disappointed those
brown faces were, when on the morning of
the 25th At 2 o'clock, we received orders to
embark on board the steamer Rose Hamel
ton for down the river, and at 10 o'clock
we were all on board, and showing down
river as hard as steam would send us. Pass
ed, Abberdein, St. Charles, Prairie Landing
and arriving at this place on the 9th,
since which time we have moved camp
once, and at present writing, we are en-
camped p miles below the Landing, on
the bank of the river, and building winter
quarters, many Of which for beauty, CON-
fort and true simplicity, would SCI Ireland
and her humble cots as far back in the
pages Of history, as when "seme dwelt in
tents and did iniquity."
The weather has been quite changeable,
from sunshine to dark rainy days. The
bottom Of the roads between here and the
landing, has been sounded by the lead on the
port side of the wagon box, "by the deep
FOUR" but thanks to the enterprise of some
man, road has been cut along the banks
of the river, which makes it mile nearer,
and a good dry road most Of the way;
but at the same time, we would be willing
to exchange roads with you for short
time for the sake Of Of sleigh side.
We was somewhat surprised this after
noon, at the sudden departure Of our
Colonel, S. G. Van Anda and orderly A.
E. Cook of Co. X. They so on recruit
ing commission, and good many have
bet their money on the Eagle being turned
before they come back; old Ean's, Gas he is
termedD shoulders are broad, and within
his coat Of blue, beats heart full of true
patriotism, and no better roost for an
Eagle could be found, save in times Of
peace, amid the craggy cliffs that over look
the valley Of industry and happiness. The
best wishes of the Regiment accompany
both of them; one in search of the bird,
and the other Lieutenancy that was
tempted to be smuggled, but was strangled
in its premature berth. In the mean time
we are under the command of Major W.
D. Crooke, and old an tried officer; one
that holds the respect OF all the Regt. The
Major has for the passed five months, had
but little to do with this military life, hav-
ing become member Of the church. His
time is mostly spent in reading and deep
study, and if ever religion had true
worshiper, he is one; at the same time we
are left the happy family, with Lieut.. Bill
Grannis, Co. d., as acting Quartermaster
Isaac Griffith, Co. l., to spread things on
the records, and myself like the stopping
sheaf to threshing machine, in case any
thing in the machinery gets foul, but thanks
to Bill ana Ike, they have hung the goose
high in the Q. NJ. Department. No danger
of his nick being pulled by common horse
men.
The Regt. was inspected yesterday by
Major Nelson Of the Regular Army, and
pronounced, Gin his sage opinion as fine
appearing body of men, with the late i'm.
proved Springfield musket; call. 5s." He
should haze added, of such is the household
of Abraham.
But here it is the beginning of the 1st
day. and l must seek rest in sleep.
Yours, LINE P. McKINNIE.
We think argument is wasted on party