The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-06-14
From H. J. Ingersoll.
u. 8. TRANsPoRr, STEAMER GurpoN,l
Ono RIVER NEAR PADucAa, Ky,
May 3lst, 1865.

| I
May 3lst, 1865.
Denr Col.:-After an absence of ~ year.
in the service Of my country, and continually
in the field. now that the war IL over may be
permitted to express my anxiety to return again
to my family and friends in Northern Iowa.
The Michigan Cavalry Brigade, after having
been through the long and bloody campaigns Of
'634, aud the short but decisive one of IS,
under the renowned leaderships Of Fitzpatrick
Sheridan and Gustav. are still called upon to
follow the fortunes OF their leaders who, after
crushing the rebellion in the east, are going to
preserve order in the west. After taking part
| in the grand review of the 23d inst, we were
Immediately ordered to St. Louis; we are now
en- route to that point, where We shall probably
learn our Ultimate destination. Owing to the
last of transportation for men and horses, our
regiment did not leave Washington until the
25th. We reached Parkersburg, on the Ohio
river, early Sunday morning, and by ~ M. We
were floating down this muddy stream. stopping
at Cincinnati, Louisville and Paducah: We will
probably reach Cairo at dusk. We have good
accommodations, good fare and clean sheets,
which we enjoy hugely, as the nights are just
cool enough for comfort, the days being little
too warm. Hoping to get leave Of absence
when We arrive at St. Louis. will cut this
short. as Mound City is in sight.
BY the way, was in the Capitol the other
day. As went in took look at the pic.
lures: representation of DeSoto discovering
the Mississippi was very fne; the islands op.
posite McGregor were represented accurately.
but one thing was lacking: it being the season
for fishing, could not account for the absence
Of yourself I took look along the shores
and each side Of the islands, but you we're not
to be found. Iwent into the House Of Repre-.
sentati. es aud was shown the place where
Barksdale lost his wig. Even this mirth.pro-
voking incident failed to rouse my spirits -
The "gentlemanly usher" of sable hue, noticed
my WEAKNESS. and being kind man, requested
to know If had seen anything that did not
accord with the magnificent design and elegant
finish of the Capitol of q mighty nation
Taking him to the aforesaid picture, says I,
"My friend, am from Iowa, a State that
knows no draft; all ask is simple justice
| show me the phiz Of my friend r. of McGregor,
and you Can command my services at Willards
or any other Of the one horse ho' els of Wash.
ington" (You see had not forgotten that l
once kept hotel in McGregor.) Says he. II
will admit the artist has failed. and that the
painting is defective, unless can Discovers
with this glass; the presence Of the man that
has done much to make McGregor the boast Of
Northern Iowa. Predicting from his pocket
an optical instrument Of great mag,ifying
power and adjusting the focus to suit his vsi IN,
he examined the picture infinitely from
different standpoints, and at length found u place
| where he could see the T.MEs Office and the
adjacent portion of McGregor; suddenly, with
triumphant satisfaction depicted on his counte.
nance, he exclaimed, Eureka! Eureka.-
Says he. IL have discovered him at Railway
Ticket Office called the .BsoAD GAUGE! But
why he should frequent it 50 often can't see.' y
l gave him to understand that you had become
quite an astronomer of late, and it was there
that you were taking observations Of ZrA
MAJOR. This seemed to satisfy him perfectly,
and taking me through the bronze door he
showed me chair that had been kept for you
IL number Of years. Says he, "give him my
compliments, and tell him one of three things
he has got to do: change his politics or his
locality, Or give up this seat; for the Repubi.
cans are stopping over on the Democratic side
OF the house SO fast that soon there will be no
seats leftw
Knowing that might fail in getting leave of
absence from 1T Louis, and feeling that it
would be doing an injustice to you by 1e!ayin /:
in immediate compliance with lis orders, il my
excuse ior(this hasty note.
Truly your friend Extraordinarily when We
meet. II. j. INoEssOLL