The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-03-16
From Capt. Drips.

From Capt. Drips.
CAMP NEAR JACKSON, Miss, Feb ), GA.
We are now seeing lively times and un
less am disabled, will tell you you wha
l know of events Immediately connected
with us, especially the 9th.
We left Vicksburg on the morning Of
the Sd, aud marched to within about one
mile of the Big Black River, and camped
for the night
Feb. 4th, crossed the river and moved in
the direction Of Jackson in the evening
our advance attacked some rebels and drove
them, killing one man and wounding some;
one man OF ours wounded slightly.
TO day (5th) our advance has skirmish-
ed all day, killing four Rebs that we know
Of and wouniing quite number no doubt.
Our loss is two killed and some IS or 20
wounded. Late this evening we captured
one piece of artillery, a 6 pounder-12
horses, caison, and some thirty or forty
prisoners. This closed the days perform
ance of the 10th Army corps. Gen. Nc
Pherson, with part of the 18th corps
moved out the same day we did, but moved
on different road, this evening they were
in full view, and have talked with several
men of his column they say that he is
also driving the rebs before him. We are
now within 4 miles OF jackson, and I'm.
derstand that our brigade takes the lead
hn in I'd ~, l~,;-
write more to morrow evening. The 117th
Illinois suffered most to day. Good night
Feb. eve remained in camp until
halt.past two, p. m, when We moved about
two miles and camped again, McPherson's
corps having gone into Jackson on the CIV
ening of the 9th, and the rebs crossed
Pearl River
7th.--Wc march early into jackson and
halt until about IL o'clock a. M, then cross
Pearl River and march to Brandon II mi s
from jackson, where we camp. All quiet
The rebs retreating towards Meridian,
where we expect to meet them. The 9th
has no hand in yet. Men are all doing
first rate; we can out-march oil others.
we have not dropped a man yet, although
on half rations and carrying their KNAPP,
sacks
Feb. 27lh.-You will excuse the abrupt
ness Of this when | tell you that have
been taken unawareS, in respect to mail IA
cilities: five minutes since | was in bed
| heard that a train would go out ahead
of us, and, perhaps, give you the news a
little sooner than to wait for our marching.
Crossed Pearl River on the 9TH without
opposition; the rebs steadily falling back,
our cavalry occasionally diminishing with
few of their rear guard. On the evening
OF the 14th we marched through Meridian
with flags flying and drums beating. Af
railroads, public building, &C., we com
menced our backward movement on the
goth. We made no captures of any amount.
1t is said that all together we had then
about 800 prisoners. They got all their
rolling stock off their roads ahead of US,
and likewise their stores. Their forces
seem to have scattered, the main portion
still going east. On our way back we
came near losing two Of our Lirutenants,
Granger and Boynton; they were out for
aging with few men when they ran into
about 500 rebs and had to fight their way
out. The Licuts. and some of the men got
back, one man, (Tim O'Brien) wounded,
not dangerously, getting along we'll
We are now at Canton. Laid over to-
day. Men on quarter rations, officers
nothing, foragers out every day, men pref
tv well worn out but few sick Cos E &
D all right, no loss except Capt CARRIERS
Niger clean gene. may give at another
time some items of interest, relating to the |
trip, but must close this now. Weather
has been all we could ask for. Peach and
plum trees here are in full blossom. This
is said to be the cream the State Of Miss;
the balance is poor enough.
sU@Thc following is written on misera-
bly, poor, reddish, coarse, note paper:
CANTON, Miss, Feb. %, ga.
This is specimen Of secesh letter paper.
The train for Nicksburg starts in few
minutes. 1t is composed OF veteran troops, |
all the sick and the mail. We remain, for
what cannot tell. Our regiment has lost |
on this trip, in missing, supposed to be ia
ken prisoners, some or men, and one |
The total loss in killed Of the |
whole army will not exceed or 10; and |
in wounded probably 80; missing so |
The negro women and children that are
following us are innumerable. Where they
"'N S'th- i''N al tUc} NiloW Is
that they are going to "Frccdom and Vicks-
burg Ok teams, mule teams, old horses,
and mules are loaded with them and their
plumber, and hundreds on foot. Some men
are along, but they are mostly cripples,
very few are able bodied men. What the
Government will do with the creatures re
mains to be seen. Last summer they died |
by hundreds in the corralls. and | think
the same fate awaits many of these.
Our Clayton Co., companies in the 9th |
regiment, ID and f, are the largest compa-
MES in the regiment at this time, and on
this expedition. SO much for old Clayton. |
We have not heard from home since We
left Vicksburg. and know nothing outside
Of our own army. One thing We know,
that is We have driven rything before us,
accomplished all we set out to do, and have
got so far back safe.
Mississippi is nothing but shell for the
Conlederocy, and that IS too badly broken
to be ever mended. The mail goes. Good
bye. Il. G. DRIPs.
1r is well worth while to go square or
two out of your way, in order to get suited
with choice Cigars and Tobacco. jain has
hundreds of persons, who will not deal
elsewhere. His celebrated brands of Cigars
are patronized by all gentlemen Of luxuri-
ocfA in Ga, 81