The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-01-06

was tleli mat Madam kumor was on the
g5with such reports as tive are going hack
10 Grant" 1--WE are going up to Menlrhis
10 do guard duty" &c But WHEN, after
a hard nights Joltins, we reached A!gicrs
aud found transportation, il vas not CT tho
up.river kind. believe they do not carry
fore, main and mzzen sail. The thing ex-
planned itself, We were elected fora sail,
hut God and Gen. Banks only knew where.
But the evening ct O'Clock told all. We
were ordered aboard the good ship Corin-
than, and in a few minutes heard that
she had sailing papers for the Rio Grande.
On the 23d Of November We tied loose from
the wharf in front Of the Custom, House,
New Orleans, aud after sailing gracefully
around the French and English men-of war
t'Yat lay in cur course, we headed down
stream. Many Of Us took one last long
look up the creek, as what we might new.
er see again. We had very pleasant
time that day. II was warm and pleasant,
and the Pilot was ore Of that comH,unica.
tive kind who are willing to answer aues-
tions in gentlemanly manner. He gave
us a description Of the river, and the coun
try on either side. We passed Quarantine,
Forts Jackson and Philip, and and at dusk
we hailed for pilot to cross the bar. In
sfew minutes one came along side. It was
not long before he took up his position in
the forward shrouds, and gave the COM
mand, "Lct her 60" In less time than
have been telling you, we were ut-sidc.
He gave the course S. ". by S. half S.,
and disappeared as mysteriously as he
came, leaving US out On the Ocean alone.
No, not alone 4; We had as good a captain,
mate and crew as ever trOd DICK or reefed
a top sail, and with them we felt safe.
Many Of the boys were sick as soon as we
crossed the bar, but the next morning at
10 o'clock, it commenced blowing from the
southwest, giving us quite tossing, and
before night the most of US had thrown up
our land grub, and were ready to take in
salt Junk, or anything that was served to
US. The next morning the storm died
away and the sails were all set, we were
gliding along through the water at the rate
Of 10 knots an hour. We had passed Gal
weston in the night, and in the afternoon of
the next day we were off Matagorda Lights,
but on going TO the masthead, hone of our
Of our fleet to be seen. So wekept out Oh
our course, and at o'clock in the evening
we were hailed by the u S. Gunboat Ores
cnt, and informed where we could east an
Choir. The next morning Major Crooke,
in command of the regiment, and The cap.
tain of the vessel went on shore and re-
ported to Gen. Washburnc. After hey
came back, we UP anchor and st Cd away
for Mustang Island, at which place we left
our commissarics, and landed the t,oops
on St. Joseph Island. The next day was
spent in washing and cleaning, and on the
following morning We started with five days
rations in our haversacks, to overtake our
command, they having five days the start
Of us. Our track was up the beach.
We crossed the inlet On the morning Of
The third day. This placed our feet Oh the
Isle of Matagorda. The next morning we
heard the cannon in the distance, which
savored to US that there was muss on
ahead, but the same evening The rews came
that the Rebs had evacuated the fortified
tons, and the next morning we marched
in, to find.the 23d Iowa in possession Of thu
works. The report is that they are going
to stay and hold them. They are left r
as good hands as they can be.
The Notifications at this place are tht
best that have seen. When they will give
up such places as this, God knows where
they will stand. Their 'last ditch must b
casemated and hid away. They had cigh
100 Founders mounted, and several torpe
does set out side their works in case VI
had charged, but they did not have time t;
wait and see their Internal machines worl
their deeds OF death, and it is we'll for then
they did not.
The day following our arrival we crossed
the bay in small boats, and at this time Q
writing we are camped on point Of tn
main land known as Dccker's Point. Her
&ell u Hit sh energy 81 i MsJdf ". 4
Crooke, we are fast getting into comfortabl
quarters. This ends the 10 days march :
instead Of 10 it was 67.
Our Teche expedition was called a fem
but when Uncle Sam comes to pay the bi
he will wish the darned thing had died.
The weather here is very pleasant S
much so that was in bathing yesterday
it was warm and pleasant.
LINE MckINNlE.