Year: 1862

| Near Franklin, Mo-, Jan. o, 1867.


Messrs. Editors Il have thought to
write you few lines occasionally in regard
to what is going on IN the camp of this 9th
Iowa Regiment Of Volunteers, but the fact
that there was nothing Of especial interest
transpirng among us to make anything I
could say in regard to our affairs interest
ing, has so far deferred me from writing.
We have had much sickness in the Reg
iment since it has been stationed at this
place, and quite a number Of deaths. The
deaths in my company have been only
three, viz: Lyman Sergeant, Corporal,
from Cox Greek died in Nov of typhoid
fever Daniel Ellen, Of Waudena, and
Warren Foles, Of Boardman township; one
died on the 22d and the other on the 25th
of Dec. We have none in our company
now dangerously sick, although we number
over twenty in the hospital most Of whom
are recovering; few are to be discharged
for disability. I am thus particular in
writing in regard to the health Of my COM
pany, rs they are all enlisted from Clayton
Co. and their friends will naturally like to
hear from them.


We have 80 far spent our time in watch
ing railroad bridges and taking care Of gov.
ernment property along the line of roads
occasionally sending out few scouts and
bringing in few prisoners, few horses,
mules and cattle, and occasionally a con,
traband; but the boys grow tired Of this
kind Of work and long for more active ser.
vice, and the prospect now is that they will
soon be gratfied in that particular. About
Christmas Gen. Curtis came into our camp
and at meeting Of the commissioned
officers Of the regiment at the Coils quar-.
ters, disclosed the outline Of the plan Of
campaign in which we were to take part,
,nd gave orders for us to proceed to Rolla
at once. The next morning our right wing
struck their tents, packed their knapsacks,
went aboard the cars, and the artillery
moved down to the railroad and got their
guns on the cars, and in ten minutes more
the train would have been off, but des-
patches came over the wires and slowly and
disappointed all returned to their old camp
again. We .hen went to work and made
ourselves comfortable winter barracks and
had been moved into them just one day,
when this evening orders came down from
Gen. Curtis at Rolla, to hold ourselves in
readiness to march at an hours notice, Ga
copy Of the orders which enclose you,
but not for publication, will give more
correct idea Of the service we are going on
than anything could write.) The orders
were read to the men this evening at roll
call, and they were all ready to obey the
call with alacrity. Our destination is not
certainly known, but it is supposed by
many to be through the southwest of Mo.
and into Arkansas, or into the Indian
country south Of Kansas but wherever it
is, the order breathes business and will be
eagerly responded to by both men and
officers of this regiment. The fact is what
we want is little more activity in our
armies. A volunteer force like ours do
not bear inactivity as patiently as regular
soldiers, and the reason is apparent enough.
The latter enlist for certain time, and
make up their mind to content themselves
in whatever situation they are placed; but
with the volunteer it is different, they en-
list during the war, and they look upon the
suppression Of this rebellion as upon a Job
to be done and the very job they have
come out especially to do, and they wish to
walk right into it like other business and
complete it, and return home about their
own affairs, and any delay Of which they
cannot see the necessity creates dissatsfac-
ton among them; hence it is that any in
dications Of active forward movements are
hailed with so much delight by the soldiers
and they exress themselves willing to bear
any amount Of fatigue or hardship if they
can be led against The enemy.


If we shall enter upon this campaign as
VIC expect to, will try and keep you
posted on any events worth mentioning
that may come under my observation.


Your truly,


..... A. 3.