Year: 1861

MY DEAR COUSIN:


1t has been good long time since wrote
you last, and an evsntiuI time it has been to
me. have been in perils by land and in per-
lis by food, and have suffered grivvously from
the hands OF wicked men. In fact have been
in battle (Blue Mills) have been a prisoner,
and am here drawn up through all my dangers
as one digged from deep pit.


On the fifteenth Of September half of our
regiment started from Macon City, and went
100 miles west to Cameron. Theirs were 1000
secesh coming down the Missouri, and we went
across to intercept them. We were compelled
to march forty miles to do this, and we expec.
ted to bo reinforced before attacking them by
Col. Smiths 10th Illiuois Regiment. We arri-
we'd at Liberty and found that they were cross.
ing the river, six miles off We waited several
hours for Smith and then started Oh alone. The
sick were left at Liberty with the baggage. /
was not well by a good deal, but it looked shah
by to be on the sick list then, and besides
wanted crack at the rebels, so went along
Jim and skirmished with our company side
by side for long way through the, hot woods.
Before We came upon the enemy halt was or
dered, and our company called in. Another
was sent out to relieve us, and we thus escaped
terrible havoc.


AS soon as we went forward again, we run
into an ambuscade OF the enemy, and the fight
commenced They we're posted wherever they
conld find log or tree to cover them. We
had one cannon, but tha@vas under their fire,
so the Dutch gunners would not work it. We
scattered and took our positions in the bush
too, and fought them an hour, when their rein
forcements commenced arriving so strong that
we were compelled to retreat. Our artillery
horses were all killed but four. These we're
hi'ched to the gun n'carriage and the gun was
saved The caisson we had to leave. Our
company was in front in the fight and when
the retreat was ordered our place was in the
rear. You may Judge Of my transports when
found that was giving out. l got SO weak
that fell away behind | soon saw that must
fall a prey to the enemy. You can judge my





lay down by the road and listened to the yels
o. our pursuers. They came up, and surround
ing me, took my gun and cartridge box, put me
on a horse between two men, and sent me away
over the river to their camp. Our way led
through the battle ground. About forty corpses
and great number Of wounded lay by the road.
The larger part of them had no Uniform on, and
of course they were rebels. But many poor
fellow lay gssping clothed in the uniform OF
the Iowa Sd.


The enemy never even overlook so as to ha-
rsss the rear of our boys on the pursuit, but
Immediately returned and resumed thor cross
ing, and next morning at three o'clock they
started to Lexington, taking me and three 9TH
er Iowa boys, and six citizens of st. Joseph,
as prisoners. After we got into their camp we
were treated we'll and Jared as well as they did.
| We arrived at Lexington on the morning Of
the 10th. Price had been fighting the Federals
then one day and was cannouading them when
| got there Next day they fought savagely al
most all day, and in the evening Mulligan sur
rendered, and had plenty Of consolation in
the old adage "Misery loves company"


Well, to shorten long story, all Of The prs
oners, John included, took the oath not to fight
any more during this war, and were sent across
the Missouri, to 60 the Ii. & st. ]. R. R. We
went the day after Mulligan's men did. We
stayed our first hight with an old secesh, who
kindly invited us in Tho next evening we
took supper with good Union man, who hitch
cd up his team and took us all to the railroad,
| (iS miIes) that night. The part of the rcgi.
ment that was in the Blue Mill battle il in
Kansas. We expect them here soon. Jim IS
with them He has gone into the hospital ser.
vice. He had terrible time searching for my
body in the woods the day after the battle
Two bodies were 50 mutilated by the hogs that
they could not be recognized, and the SUPPOSE
ton was that had lived in one OF them, and
thus it was reported at ho,ne and to sister Mary.
You may bet they felt jolly when turned up,
If did come into camp nearly gone with aguc.
Orders have been issued to discharge all the
soldiers who took the oath at Lexington, and
will be discharged. don't believe | will 60
into the service again.


n we had not taken that oath vs. would have
been sent South as prisoners OF war, without
hope OF exchange, for the government refuses
u exchange prisoners with rebels.


Perhaps YOU would like 10 hear long stories