The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-24
From the 27th.
CAMP 9th Iowa Vol. 1Nr'Y,
NEAR VICKsBURG, Feb, I'd. ga, {

CAMP 9th Iowa Vol. INF'Y,
NEAR VICKsBURG, Feb. I'd, ga.
Dear Times although under rather
unfavorable circumstances, will drop you
few lines. On the 3Oth Of January we
landed little below Vicksburg where We
remained until yesterday, when we moved
to this place.
Before leaving Memphis We turned over
all our tents and extra camp equipage, and
again on Saturday turned over all clothing
except change Of underclothes and every
day wear, our Co. books and papers, leav
ing us with but little to write with and no.
thing to write on but our knees. Sunday
night the windows Of Heaven were opened
and the rain poured down in torrents,
whilst We lay on the fat ground with no
other covering but blanket. Sleep fled
from our eyes and the noise Of many voices,
calling out Of the depth of water caused US
to climb to our feet to find ourselves sur
rounded with about six inches of water.
Wading out We found a small elevation
where we remained until morning. This
event perhaps caused our hasty removal
from the river, but we are we'll pleased
with the change, for we are now lying on
the battle ground, and near the place
where the 2lst Regiment so nobly charged
the Rebel strongholds on the 22d of May
1868, and where many graves mark the
place where our noble countrymen spilled
their life's blood in defence Of the glorious
old Flag. But will leave other and more
competent writer's to tell the story Of the
many incidents that took place during the
seige Of Vicksburg.
We are now second Brigade, third Divis.
ion, 10th Army Corps. The Brigade is
composed of four Regiments as follows !:
l4th, 9th, and 32d Iowa and 17Sth New
York. Col. Shaw of the l4th, commands;
Brigadier Gen. A. j. Smith commands our
Division. We move tomorrow morning at
six O'Clock in the direction of Jack son !;
where we stop, time alone can determine.
We arc not permitted TO know wheth
er we move toward Mobile or Atlanta, Geor-
gia; it seems from the preparations that we
are to move rapidly somewhere. Three
teams are all that are allowed to a regi.
ment, from this it would appear that we
will need more provisions than camp equip
age, or clothing, there is big move on foot.
We hear all sorts Of rumors, but know as
much Of the truth Of them as you do; one
thing We know and that is. that about 10
thousand cavalry were to leave Colierville,
Tennessee, to travel by land through Miss,
in this direction, and think Gen Grierson
would head the expedition; he was in Mem.
phis when We left
Our regimen: is in fine condition, men were
never better, Co. Il, left one sick man at
Memphis, S. A. Miller, not very sick bat
allie to march. There will be several other
Iowa regiments with us. The 9th, 18th
and Both are in the 81 Brigade, LIST Divis
ion; also the I'd Iowa Battery is with the
LIST Division, and hear that others are Ca
pected to be with us. II we should start
up a fight you may expect to hear Of some
OF the Iowa troops being engaged Tie
TINES Of the 18th Of January has just come
to hand, and is welcome visitor.
Col. Merrill and Capt. B ardnan passed
down to day, SO Col. Gilbert just informed
me; they 60 to rejoin their regiment. They
were feeling in fine spirits. We left Col
Lake at Memphis. But it grows late, fare
Wei THos. G. DRIpS