The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-10-09
THE BOYS in BLUE.
Old Letter Recalls Their Ills and
Sufferings.

IN going through some old papers
the other day Esquire Rice picked up
a copy of the Herald dated July IA,
1864, containing an obituary notice OF
his father, Brigadier General Samuel
A. Rice, who died from wounds receiv-
ed in the service for his country. The
paper also contains an interesting let
ter from the front, written by Captain
Charles Stanley, of this city, at pres
ent candidate for reelection to the
office of Justice of the Peace in Os-
kaloosa township. Mr.. Stanley was a
member of he 18th Iowa and together
with the other members of that regi-
ment saw some hard service in south
ern camps and battlefields. The let
ter is interesting even at this late
date, and we feel sure our readers will
appreciate its reproduction here, show
ing as it does the privation suffered
by the boys In blue in the preserva-
ton of the Union:
From the 18th Iowa.
Headquarters 18th Iowa Infantry,
Clarkville, Ark, June II, 1864:
Friend Beardsley: After two at
tempts to send you few lines, | will
try again, l wrote to you from Camden
and on our first arrival back, and |
have reason to believe they both fell
into the enemy's hands. / suppose
you know the result and all the de-
tails of our campaign under Generals
Steel and Thayer. Indeed the physi-
cal capacity for endurance of our men
was fully tested, from beginning to
end, marching through swamps, under
heavy loads, skirmishing daily, giving
and receiving many knocks on both
sides.
We mourn the loss of many brave
friends, but their honor and courage
are proved to have been of the best
quality. Those essential qualities OF
soldier, with them are unsullied ;
unlike the enemy our white soldiers
have been merciful to prisoners
wounded in battle, and have stood the
shock and trials of reverse without
complaint.
Their lives and services now belong
to the state and to their relatives is
justly due our sympathy and respect
for this signal proof of their devotion
and patriotism.
We left Fort Smith March 22d, after
passing through Danville, Hot Springs
and Rockport, joined the main com
mand of Gen. Steel near Little Mis-
souri, river; our loss up to this time
was one captain killed and a few mer
FOUNDED. April 10th the command
moved on to Prairie Du Ann, and af
| ter various maneuvers, in which Gen
Steel displayed his whole army fol
battle, according to scientific prin
ciples the enemy fed, leaving FORTH
cations over one mile long. Our loss
was slight. We now had the choice Of
three roads. We were IL miles from
Washington, over 100 to Shreveport
and 40 to Camden; we took the Cam
den road, Gen. Thayer's division as
rear guard. Next day, April 10, while
waiting our turn to move our camp
we were suddenly attacked by Gen
Dockeny, who soon found he had woke
up the wrong passenger. The fgh'
lasted until shutdown, driving the
enemy over six miles, capturing hero
of their cattle and upsetting one o.
their artillery guns. Our loss was tel
killed and twenty wounded, the enc
mys loss over sixty dead and wound
| ed.
After passing one of the wors
swamps in the state, the advance wa!
attacked near Camden, under Genera
Rice, who acquitted himself in gal
liant style as on other occasions o
this campaign. He appears to be ;
favorite in Steel's command, will
both officers and privates.
Reached Camden on the 10th; mex
day forage train was sent back TO
corn under Col. Williams, escorted b!
the First Kansas, colored, and few
cavalry. At p. m. our regiment wal
sent as reinforcement. We captured
the same evening three of the enemy
On the 18th we met the train atPois
oned Spring and started back, the lStl
as rear guard. Our whole force wal
less than 1900. At 30 a. m we wer'
suddenly attacked in front and RICH
flank The enemy charged the color
ed regiment in five lines, who stood
like heroes supporting two pieces o
I'd Indiana Battery. On came the
enemy; again and again were the!
moved down by the fire of the artil
lery and the firmness of the Kansa!
colored till the grape and canniste1
gave out, and the ammunition gone
and then and only then did the mum
bers prevail. 1t was now IL m. anC
the condition of the 18th was hopeless
the train captured, the list colored GU
to pieces, and artillery gone, with ovel
5000 Rebs between us and Camden
flushed with success, however, oul
skirmishers came in. The regimen
shifted position, behind a rail fence
to let the fugitives with all it's debris
of horses and wagons pass, when the
exulting Rebs met with a fire as fata
as unexpected, however, they rallied
and aimed to capture us entire, attack
ing us on three sides, calling out t.
throw down the rag (our colors were
badly torn) and surrender. To this we