The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-10-11
From the l2th Iowa.
SELMA, ALA. Sent Dist 18f5.

SELMA, ALA, Sept. 2lst, 1865.
Eds. Times:-Having leisure hour to spare
l thought could not improve the time to bette,
advantage than in sending you few liaes.-
Since last wrote, there has been no change
in our position; our regiment still continues
the military guardian Of the city of Selma; the
same routine Of mounting and relieving guard,
and patrollns the strects, comes with each sue.
cessive day, and nothing happens to disturb the
monotony of camp life, except the reception Of
letters from home. Have you, Dear TINES,
ever been absent from dear ones at home and
received from them treasures of love written
pm paper? II so You can realize our feelings
pn receiving those tender missives.
How long VIC may remain, doing provost
duty at this city, is uncertain. Madam Rumor,
az usual, has assigned Us to dozen different
places at once; one of the most remarkable,
though the least plausible rumors, is that we are
to be mustered out soon! Another, and very
reasonable one, that we are to be sent to Talla-
dega lin this State) to exercise further patience
in the performance Of guard duty. BY the
way, We had young rebellion in our regiment
the 18th. caused by very poor ratious aud no
pay for six months. tell you we stood out
manfully for our rights, and our rations are now
much improved, and prospect Of pay soon.
makes duty more pleasant. The heat of sum-
mer being succeeded by the cool breezes Of an
early Autum, has caused q corresponding
change in the health Of our regiment for the
better: numbers of the boys who were sick are
rapidly recovering; but few new cases of sick
ness are reported, and they p0cipally of the
feverandague type. Notwithstanding the
intense heat Of the past summer. the citizens
rematk it has been very healthy season here
compared'with former years.
I The city Of Selma is gradually rising out of
its ashes. The bricks of former buildings are
used to reksild those tina: are being constructed
at the present time: what its future prospects
for trade and business are, time alone can de.
termine. With such a food of squalid, idle,
ragged negros As roam its streets, no city car
prosper; Of course there are exceptions to all
general rules, and there are many negros who
work hard and earn an honest living, and they
are respected, but l am speaking Of that class
(and by far the larger) whose only ambition
seems to be to obtain a livelihood by stealing,
robbing or dlher dishonest means Large boys,
and eyen uen Of the African species, may be
seen playing marbles or some other childish
spoFt, in preference to earning their support
What would our sympathetic abolition friends
do with such characters7 am inclined TO
think they would be often tempted to use the
lash IN preference to gentler means. The
'neSre is cuise to the south in his present con.
didoD; Il mean the idlers). The state of
so3cty is improving, the citizens gaining more
confidence and becoming more sociable, and a
geseral spirit Of kindness and goodwill is
manifested by the them to the soldier.
The First National Bank of Selma was
organized the Oath of last month. The State
Convention now in session at Montgomery, the
State Capital, having for its object the revise.
lment and correction of the State laws in accor.
dance with the Constitution of the United
States, progresses harmoniously but very slowly
and not altogether satisfactory, but have not
the time had the ability to attempt descrip
lion Of their debates; will send you a copy of
the Selma Times and you can see the DRIFT of
arguments for yourself.
With my best wishes for the prosperity of
she Tines and the people Of McGregor in gen
eral, close. J. H. B.,
IL Co. E, 18th Iowa V. v. Init.
+. S-Since writing the above we have re-
!eived orders to leave for Ta'Iadega. Oh! for
he patience Of Job to bear calmly what be falls
ls poor mortals in this vale of Secessia.
T. H n