The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-06-11
From the 18th lows.
Fort SMITH, ARK, MAY "a, lS6

FRIEND DUNHAM:-The 18th Iowa in
fantry has returned to this post, after an
absence OF fifty-five days, having marched
over GOO miles, climbing mountains, ford
swamps, carrying their blankets, KNAPP
sacks, guns and ammunition. ~.
Although the expedition upon which we
started failed in its object, il trr;s throu0h
no fault Of the Frontier Division. under
General Thayer, Of Which we formed q
part. After we for!Hed a junction with
General Steele, ne displayed part Of his
command lIH1fne of battle before the enc
my, wnos@xere in full force, but they de.
cunessTo accept our challenge for fight,
AMI IL fell back. General Steele resumed his
march. taking quiet possession Of Camden,
Prices former headquarters. leaving us in
the rear, the only place there was any enc
nv. and they thinking they had an easy
thing Of it, attacked our train in force, but
al the first sound Of the long roll the regi-
ments were in motion, and in few min
utes had formed line Of battle under the
direction of the General. The enemy out
numbered us greatly, and fought stubborn
Nv, and it was only after hours Of hard
work that they fell back, and we were
driving them on the second mile when or
ders came from General Steele mot to fol-
low, and regretting that we had brought
on an action" Colonel Edwards, COM
manding the 1st brigade, showed himself
to be a brave man and good officer. The
shot and shells fell fast and thick around
him and his staff, as though he was par
ticular mark, but be remained perfectly
cool throughout, and escaped unhurt.
Our next battle and greatest loss was at
Poisoned Springs, Smiles from Camden.
Bv General Steees orders, Il forage train
OF over 200 wagons. with the 18Th Iowa, ISL
Kansas coiored, two howitZers, and two
pieces of the Ind Indiana battery as AN es-
cort, were sent back directly where the en-
emv were known to be, and had TO pass
within few miles of Prices headquar-
ters. On their return they were complete
" surrounded and attacked by at least
ten times their number. Our men fought
as only brave men can. They rallied and
repulsed charge after charge until, their
ammunition being spent, they were COM
pelled to retire, leaving their artillery
spik ed, and the entire train in the hands Of
the enemy. The wounded cOlOred soldiers
aud their officers were murdered on the
spot. and one Of the 18th was found scalped.
| 1t seemed that nothing but a miracle could
tally annihilated. The report Of arms was
plainly heard 1T our camp, and General
| Thayer asked permission to send out rein
| forcements, but was refused.
| The fourth and last time we met the en-
envy was in the Saline swamps, after evac-
uating Camden. When our advance reach.
the river, the pontoons were in the rear,
instead Of in front, and night coming on
before they came up, our train did not COM
mence crossing before next morning. This
gave the rebels, who were reinforced by
Kirby Smith, ample time to get up, and
they attacked our rear in almost oyer.
whelning numbers. General Steele took
it coolly. Seated on his horse, on the safe
side of the river looking after his trans.
4 nOpt otinv, ho thn,,nhf ssfhat Ynrak otru oe
Terrific" General Thayer and. General
Soloman were on the other side, leading
and encouraging their men. The fight
was = very severe one, and i. the
to flank US, gave way leaving the ground
strewn with dead and wounded Butternuts
After driving them as far az practicable
They evidently had enough Of it. for We
heard nothing further fromthem and struck
out for Little Rock. The rebs did aot
''scale welp' and their shots were well
placed, yet some Of us think we had sufh.
cient force to whip them-at no time wai
the whole command sent against then.-
The destruction Of property was immense
what was on their backs. The loss of Gov
eminent property is almost beyond calcu.
lation. Our division left here with 3O(
wagons and entered Little Rock with three
Fearing an attack on this post, our divi-
sion was ordered here. Our men made
their best time on the home stretch, march.
ing one day 80 miles. One thing is certain
no commander ever grew in favor with his
men quicker than Gen. Thayer-leadine
them for the first time, it was surprising e
see how soon they learned to place implicit
confidence in him; but no wonder, he waS
everywhere, and whether in front Of tht
enemy. on a hard days march, or making
corduroy roads through the swamps, ht
was there not only to order but to encour
age and assist. No officer or private ha.
had occasion to offer word Of complain
against him, and our only wish is tha
should we be ordered over the same GROUND
again, it will be under his command, with
out his being controlled by another. Wher,
he leads our entire division will follow
even was it almost certain death.
] leave it for others to write Of the re
suits Of this disaster and Of the great hard
ships and sufferings of our men, how they
marched bare-footed and sore, went nigh
after night without sleep, and day afte,
day without food-parched corn became
quite q luxury.