FROM THE 27TH OHIO INFANTRY, ARMY OF THE
MISSISSIPPI.
Iuka, Miss., September 4th, 1862.
DEAR MESSENGER,
"Old Massassippi" though in due
form seceded from Uncle Sam's fold, and bearing true allegiance to the Southern
confederacy, is after all in the same spot allotted her by the Geographers, from the time
of Colton and Mitchell down — and more than this, is connected with
"America" by a "T" rail, over which an asthmatic locomotive
(ir)regularly drags some half dozen box cars by special permission of the F[irst].
F[amilies of]. M[ississippi]'s., who only burn the bridges and tear up the track —
whenever they get a chance, and then only to impress on our minds that "there are a
war."
New York is too far outside "our
circle" to allow us to receive the papers from its metropolitan precincts with
anything like regularity, but Cincinnati, St. Louis and Chicago, swamp us with their
dailies (good, bad and indifferent) on the third day from the press, at the exceedingly
moderate rate of ten cents per copy. However, we don't grudge the dimes, for it is a great
pleasure to be reassured each morning that "everything is quiet on the
Mississippi,", that Gordonsville has been dashed at by the "Confeds," or
that McClellan has changed his base of operations, etc., etc., — while the drafting
subject draws largely upon our sympathies for the unfortunate young gentlemen, who
will be obliged to leave "the dearest spot on earth to me," drink their mocha
without cream, and sharpen their teeth on army hard bread.
My last was written from the quiet
peaceful little settlement known as "Camp Clear Creek," but all things are
subject to change, and with soldiers, it is the rule rather than the exception; it was,
therefore, nothing very strange or even unexpected, when we received marching orders, so
to work we went, packed up our duds and got everything ready, so that when the bugle
sounded the "assembly," we were ready for the "forward".
In leaving our old camp, we were careful
that nothing was left behind that would aid or comfort the enemy should they wish to
occupy our "deserted palatial grounds" (?) and, indeed, so effectually was this
carried out, that not even a plank, box or a summer bower was left, — all were given
to the devouring element — fire. As we filed out on the road to commence our march,
keeping step to the tune of "the girl I left behind me," we gave one longing,
lingering look at an old camp, where we had spent so many quiet, happy hours, now a vast
sheet of flame—marched steadily on until a turn in the road closed it from out
gaze,—and, then, with a deep drawn sigh we bade "Clear Creek" farewell!
Our column en-route consisted only
of the Ohio Brigade, under command of Col. [John W.] Sprague of the 63rd Ohio, Col.'s
Fuller and [J.L. Kirby] Smith [commander of 1st Brigade, 2nd Division under the command of
Brigadier-General David S. Stanley], the ranking officers being home on leave. The country
through which we passed was mainly woodland, red and white oaks abound. We passed a few
pine groves also, though they were rather scarce. Occasionally we would pass a farm or a
respectable cornfield and orchard,—they were nothing to boast of however. These
Southern peaches are generally a poor article; the best specimens I have seen as yet would
be deemed unsaleable by our city hucksters; none of the fruit hereabouts is of any
particular account.
On our route we passed through the little
town of Burn[s]ville [Mississippi], situated on the Memphis and Charleston R.R., about
nine miles from Iuka; it is now, as is the case with most of the villages in this State,
nearly depopulated, though the inhabitants could never have numbered over 150 or 200.
On the evening of the 20th ult., we
reached this place after an easy march of twenty-two miles, which we accomplished in a day
and a half. Immediately after we encamped, foraging parties were sent out, peaches, corn,
applies, tomatoes, cucumbers, chickens, &c., &c., particularly suffered.
Teamsters, instead of hauling their forage, scoured the country, and took it wherever it
was to be found, of course, all being done strictly in accordance with the Confiscation
Act.
Your humble servant, in company with
several others, feeling rather thirsty after one morning's march, went to a house near
where we camped, for a drink of well water. The old lady (?) apparently
proprietress of the house, politely informed us that her well was low, and that creek
water was good enough for us. Comment is unnecessary, but you will not be surprised, I
am sure, when I inform you that her peaches, roasting ears, melons, &c., were rather
scarce next morning.
When we reached Iuka we found that General
Rosecrans had already established his headquarters here, (having arrived by rail from
Corinth the same morning), at one of the finest buildings in the town. He was standing at
a window as we neared; so with unfurled colors and martial music we paid him a marching
salute, which he recognized by unfurling his immense flag, which was suspended in front of
the house. We passed through the town and encamped about a mile outside, on a broad ridge
which commands a view of the country for some distance around. Our water is obtained
chiefly from the springs for which Iuka is celebrated. Iron, sulphur, chalybeate, alum and
blue sulphur abound. A fine creek flows near our camp, but we are not apt to indulge in
its water while the springs meet our demand.
Iuka is a flourishing town of about six
hundred inhabitants; there are many fine buildings, including churches, hotels and stores.
The two former classes have been converted into post hospitals. At present there is quite
a lively trade going on, though many of the storekeepers are northern speculators and
sutlers. We have good railroad communication with Columbus, Ky., via Corinth daily, so our
mail and the papers come on time.
Rumors upon rumors reach and circulate
through our camps daily, and all originate by the so-called "grapeonil"
telegraph. Such rumors are generally without any foundation whatever. Day before
yesterday, our brigade had orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice; accordingly
everything was bustle, and in a few hours, tents were struck and wagons packed. Late in
the evening, however, the order was countermanded, and we resumed our usual routine of
camp duty. The news of the battle of [2nd] Bull Run caused considerable excitement here,
received as it was with the reports of the battles in [Richmond] Kentucky, at Bolivar, and
Tuscumbia. The two latter reports need confirmation, however.
The weather here continues very pleasant;
in fact the salubrious climate of the country exceeds all our expectations. We supposed it
would be perfectly intolerable at this time of the year, where on the contrary we find it
more pleasant than in some of our more northern states.
I must now draw this to a close. I am on
picket duty, and expect "the officer of the day" along every moment, and if I am
caught penning a letter, instead of looking after the men, I am liable to get a sound
rating, "sich is milingtary life." My writing desk is an oak board, eight feet
long, one wide, one end elevated on a log, the other on the ground, and your correspondent
astride of it. Don't you envy my "posish"? More anon.
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