The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-06-08
Letter from a Member of the seth
Iowa Infantry.
NEW ORLEANS. La. Feb. %. 1885.


! 1 thought would give you a hint of oul
march from the Rock last spring. up to the
time we we're captured, though it will be
only hint, for I could write book to you
and then not tell YOU all.
We started the sd Of March last from
there. All that we had to carry weighed
Is pounds. We marched ten miles. Mex,
morning there were good many Sick
The Doctor examined them and among the
sick was John Smith. The Doctor sent
back who he pleased, but would not lei
John go, so he marched that day and the
next. The fourth morning I got him in
the ambulance "a wagon witha spring bed).
We got to RocRport that day, so miles from
the Rock. He was very sick but hated to
give up, and would not let any one do any
thing for him but me. He caught the
measles on the boat before he got to the
Rock. The nights were cold, but done
all could to comfort him. Some nights
from where we would stop. then would
have to go back and hunt him up and car
~ his things to him, when I was perfectly
outdone and could hardly stand up myself.
I would make him as goods bed as Icould
and cover him with my blankets. He
drew no dress coat before he started, so I
gave him my coat and took his blouse.
On Friday morning, the lst of April, we
left Arkadelphia. knew he could not
get well. He asked me if I thought he
would get over it and told him he would.
l got the best could for him to eat. He
said If it had not been for his mother he
would not have been in that fix; he blamed
her for it. That night they took him into
the hospital tent. The Doctor told me he
could not live; knew it; he only breathed
through one lung, vet he would eat pretty
hearty, forcing it down, for know he did
net want it. The nurses and myself made
Us good a bed for him as we could, and
him all night did not go to bed at all
In the morning saw that he could not
live long, but had to take my place in
the rank. and leave him.
Our brigade was in the advance that day
the I'd Of April, and about 10 o'clock the
Marmaduke's forces made several charges
on the rear, trying to take our train. The
SD and 10Th Iowa and 5Oth Indiana were
too much for them, and though we lost
some men we saved the train.
We marched Is miles that day. Atnight
when the ambulance came in the nurse
came to me and said, "You need not be
! &C. soc
about noon Of the second Of April. I was
completely tired down. We camped or
the Little Missouri, about 20 miles from
Arkadelphia, in a southwest course. Or
the next morning, (the Sd Of ApriD, he was
buried. His funeral was preached by
Chaplain Hair; his text was, "Be We also
ready. I made him a head board, put his
name and company on it.
Shortly after he was buried, our pickets
were fired on, and we were called out on the
double-quick about half mile, but did
not have any fun. Went back to quarters
Next morning our pickets were fired on in
force, and our regiment was called out
again to the support of our battery. This
time the rebels seemed bound to do some
thing. Our battery went out and was
planted in position. Ourpickets came fall
ing back rapidly; Marmaduke advancing.
We were placed close to the left of our bat
terry for it's support. Our guns, only two
in number, opened on them, and immedi
ately they replied vigorously. We were
in an open field, they behind the timber
We were ordered to lie down, while oul
two brass pieces were belching forth theil
deadly missiles at such a rate that the
ground would shake at every howl. While
we were Icing fiat OH the ground, the mus.
ket balls were whizzing and tipping and
making all kinds of music over and close
to our heads; the solid shot cutting the
timber close behind us, and the shells burst.
ing over and around us. When Colonel
Kit thought they had come near enough in
their charge on our battery, he ordered us
to got up and fire. We gavethem two vol
leys at such deadly aim as to instantly 81
lence their small arms, when we were or.
dered to cease firing. The battery gave
them two double rounds of grape and can.
lister, which made them conclude that dis.
cretion was the better part Of valor, SO they
were taken with a leaving.
We lay on our arms that night, and were
in camp all next day. On the 9th we start
ed again; marched five miles and campet
until the 10th, when we started again; wen
eight miles, was attacked again; double
quicked four miles, and formed in line O
battle, but we being in the rear that day
missed the fun. The front was attacked il
force. We were approaching the forces o
Price. and Marmaduke in their fortified
tions. We lay on our arms all night Will,
heavy cannonading was going on unit
midnight.
The next day skirmishsrs were sent out
and we lay on our arms all next night
In the morning Steele's entire force, Il, 600
was brought up in battle array, and march
ed in solid column against Price, Marina
duke & Co. When we approached theil
works we found they were not there. Thi.
was the grandest sight ever saw-such al
army in battle array on an open prairie.
On the 18th we got to Camden, the rebels
firing on us every day for fourteen days.
We left Camden on the 23d for Pine Bluff
as guards, with asupply train to get pro
visions for our army. The train consisted
of go wagons, Of six mule teams. TIL,
morning Of the 25th, our scouts reported
rebels in considerable force. Our brigad,
was as follows-the seth Iowa, 4sd Indian,
and 18th Ohio, while we had only part o
each regiment along, the balance having
been left at Camden. We had less thar
| 900 fighting men, (Lieut. Col. Drake il
command.) The 43d was in front, ours il
| Tim oor,tor and tho nth in tho raar Tb,