USA > Iowa > History of the Nineteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry > Part 3
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At about half-past three, as the cause seemed grow- ing almost desperate, the vastly superior force of the
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
rebels pressing hard our little band of wearied heroes, an aid of Gen. Blunt's reported on the extreme right to Lieut. Col. J. B. Leake of the 20th, and soon the booming of cannon from a new part of tho field an- nounced the day was saved. Yelling-Blunt's In- dians went into the fight, and the knowledge that we were reinforced, added strength to our own decimated command, the welcome words, "Blunt has come," flashing from lip to lip. had a magic influence, and hearts that before were half sick with dread now beat strong in hope. Darkness ended the conflict, and night with its chilling air hovered over the bloody scene.
Till far into the night with stretchers and ambulan- ces we worked removing the wounded from the field. A full moon was in the zenith and in the cold light shed down upon them, the stark-wide open glassy eyes gazing up into the sky, looked horrible.
In the orchard where the 19th Iowa aud 20th Wis- consin charged Blocker's Battery, the dead and wound- ed lay so thick we could with difficulty walk through with our bloody loads.
Readers, the "Star of Glory " pales and shines but dimly, when seen through the vistas of the hospital; it is almost extinguished by the sanguinary clouds and gloom of death suffering that gather there.
In this battle, as the march had been so long and rapid, were none but men of genuine nerve and pluck, as was proved by the desperate fighting done by them.
The loss of our forces was reported officially, nine hundred and fifty-three. The rebel loss they do not know themselves.
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That night through the stillness could be heard the sound of muffled wheels rolling over the rocky road toward Van Buren, and when morning came the field was found to be left to us.
The following is a list of the killed, wounded and missing of the 19th in this action :
Killed, Lieut. Col. Saml. McFarland, Serg't Major C. B. Buckingham.
Co. A-Wounded, Private Win. B. Baltzell, in the head.
Co. B-Killed, Private Robt. B. Caulk, shot through head and breast. Private Joseph McCully, shot through the breast. .
Wounded-Capt. Harry Jordan, left shoulder. Pri- vate J. F. Sandford, in left hip-severely.
Private Wm. McCormick, right leg severely.
Isaac Rumer, left arm-severely.
Lewis Heald, left arm-severely.
" Joseph McMurray, left arm-mortally.
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Manfred Hall, left leg-slightly.
. Gilbert Locke, left shoulder and leg. Wm. Taylor, left shoulder.
Co. C-Serg't Wm. R. Jeffrey, left leg-severely. Corp. Thos. E. Johnson, Color Guard, left arm- severely.
Private W. A. Bailey, color guard, left leg-severely.
A. P. Randall, right foot.
Cyrus Condit, left and right side-severely.
Co. D-Killed, Private Marion Marlow.
Private John Crowner.
James Clelland.
66 Z. T. Sylvester.
Geo. W. Ream.
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
Private John W. Roberts.
Wm. F. McReynolds. .
John F. Ball, mortally wounded-since died. Wounded-Capt Joshua Wright, right arm.
1st Lieut. Harrison Smith, right hand.
2d Lieut. Wm. S. Brooks, left thigh-severely.
Serg't S. W. Gregg, right ankle-severely. W. M. Campbell, leg-severely.
Corp. George Mccrary, right elbow-severely.
Evin F. Cowger, foot.
Private John H. Webb, both thighs-severely.
Henry D. Williams, right thigh-severely.
John Huddlestone, both thighs-severely.
66 Willard Fleenor, back-slightly.
Geo. E. Wilson, thigh-severely. Leander Powellson, left thigh broken.
Stephen Burris, left hand-severely.
7 A. Holmes, knee-slightly.
L. A. McReynolds, thigh-severely.
C. A. Campbell, left thigh-slightly.
Captured-Private J. C. Taylor.
Co. E-Killed, Private Albert Thompson.
Private Samuel HI. Rogers.
Edward Mooney.
Wounded-Serg't Chas. E. Gibbs, left knee-se- verely.
Corp. James M. Layton, both arms and leg-se- verely.
Corp. James E. Henderson, right arm-slightly. Private Edwin Mallett, left hip-severely.
Wm. E. Kent, left arm-severely.
Edwin Smith, left side and head-severely.
Samuel W. Campbell, left thigh-severely.
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Private John H. Mallett. left knee-shattered.
Jefferson R. Mckaig, left side-slightly. Decatur Pittman, left hip-slightly. Fieldon Taylor, left leg-slightly. Wm. Wilkins, right shoulder-slightly. Geo. H. Dewey, right hand-slightly. Thos. J. Matlock, left leg-slightly.
Co. F-Killed, 2d Lieut. Loammie M. Smith. Private Henry S. Fowler.
Wm. Fowler.
Robt. H. Brown.
Edwin Smith.
Kendall Littleton.
Wounded-Serg't Thos. D. Chapman, both legs- since died. . 1
6 Wm. A. Hall, bowels and left leg-severely.
Corp. Charles F. Morris, Color Guard -- thigh bro- ken-since died.
Private John A. Brubaker, hip-severely.
Madison G. Chapman, arms.
G. B. Dotson, left hand.
66 Hiram B. Davidson, right leg.
Henry F. Gibbs, right leg.
Joseph Higbee, left shoulder-severely.
Chas. E. Knight, left thigh-amputated. John W. Littleton, right thigh-severely.
Daniel Mckay, both thighs.
Thos B. Morris, left hand.
Wm. H. McDaniel, right leg-severely.
Henry C. Pike, right leg.
66 Joseph Racer, left arm.
Joseph Shipman, right shoulder-severely.
Cicero Thomas, back and right arm.
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
Private Joseph Wagner, left hand.
Aurelius Wood, left leg.
Solomon P. Key, right thigh.
66 Martin Blair, hip-severely.
Co. G-Killed, Serg't Wm. Gregory.
Corp. Richard Morgan.
Wounded-Serg't B. W. Huff, right arm amputa- ted, left arm-slightly.
Serg't Ellison Holland, arm broken.
Corp. Wm. Peyton, hip, thigh and leg.
Private Wm. Chapman, hips and abdomen -- se- verely.
Private W. H. Dowell, arm and breast.
George Erwin, thigh.
¥ Samuel Griffith, hand.
Jeremiah Helmick, left ankle and right leg.
66 Wm. Hoffman, leg and neck.
Fred. Kircher, foot shattered.
Z. B. Kyle, shoulder and hips. Charles Law, right thigh-severely.
66 Chris. Lyster, back and shoulder-severely.
Wm. II. Marshall, right arm broken.
Joe Ross, back-slightly.
66 A. G. Scott, hips.
George Simpson, leg.
James Smith, left leg.
Fred. Webber, hip-severely.
Harmon Gast, hip, shoulder and thigh.
. Co. HI-Killed, Serg't Samuel Bonney. Corp. Wm. H. Locke.
Private Chas. W. Fisher.
66 Levi W. Taylor. Joshua F. Phillips.
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HISTORY OF THE
Private Thos. B. Linning.
Levi Keller.
Marshall Byers.
Wm. Kennion.
Wounded-Private Albert Cochrane, back and leg -severely.
Private Moses Groom, left breast-severely.
Isaac D. Evans, left hip-severely,
Henry Green, left hip-severely.
Robt. F. Robinson, left leg-severely.
Francis M. Cook, side of face and eye-se-
verely.
Private J. M. W. Cretcher, left shoulder-severely. Corp. O. B. Miller, head.
A. J. Smith, left hip.
Private Silas Langford, head.
Robt. H. Parsons, left foot.
« Robt. D. Foster, right leg.
Joseph H. Lannam, neck.
Tillman Langford, back and hips.
Captured-Capt. T. W. Richmond-released on pa- role.
Co. I-Killed, 2nd Lient. Thos. Johnston.
Corp. John Douglass.
Angustus B. Rehkoff.
Private, Henry V. Gaddis.
Wm. McKenny.
Jonathan J. Lee.
James Patterson.
Wounded-Capt. S. E. Paine, left hip-severely.
Serg't, Wm. A. Strong, head-severely.
Jacob Nixon, face and head-severely.
Corp. Datus D. Proper, foot.
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,
Corp. Alex. Fix, leg-severely.
Private James Robb, hip-severely.
Luman A. Brooks, side.
Wm. Short, arm-severely.
Martin Hornbaker, side and leg-severely.
James L. Fry, leg-severely.
John H. Webber, hip-severely.
Ferguson Teal, foot.
Russell Johnson, foot.
Harrison O'Hara, knee-severely.
Co. K-Killed, private Lorenzo P. Servass.
Private Ben. F. Harland.
Wm. E. Kenyon.
Robt. S. Brown.
Marion McCoy.
Madison Moore.
Wounded-Serg't Geo. Cramer, left shoulder-se- verely.
Corp. Stokely Wright, breast-severely.
Elias H. Dickerson, leg-amputated.
John D. Trobridge, face and head-severely.
Private Wm. F. Birge, both legs-severely.
Doctor F. Brown, shoulder -- severely.
Wm. Erwin, right arm broken.
Robt. E. Jameson, ankle-severely.
James E. Jay, leg brokn.
Robt. C. Ires, jaw broken.
Edwin H. Murray, head and face-severely.
Orrel H. Straw, right shoulder-left arm broken. Thos. W. Savage, back-severely.
Wm. J. Spring, both legs broken.
Jefferson Creekbaum, right groin-severely.
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HISTORY OF THE
- Private Wiley Jay, arm broken. Serg't, D. II. Roderick, leg.
Private Francis II. Alter, leg.
Wm. G. Anderson, leg.
S. H. Humphrey, ankle.
Brant Lloyd, ankle.
Wm. R. Macey, leg.
Joseph Week, ankle.
66 Ithamar Doane, shoulder.
Robt N. Bailey, left side.
66 Jacob Grimes, heel.
Sol Luce, left hip.
Samuel Evans, left shoulder.
This list does not include some whose wounds were so very slight, and unimportant, as not to unfit them for duty.
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
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CHAPTER V.
Several days after the battle were spent in burying the dead and recuperating our strength.
Some sad scenes, necessarily follow such a battle- Southern women hunting their husbands, sons and brothers, whose sorrow was very demonstrative, where they found some sacrifice to Moloch.
Our fallen heroes were buried in long trenches- cach Company by itself, and' marked by a stone or board. The rebels sent in details to bury their dead; but when they saw what an Herculean task was be- fore them, they returned without doing anything, and four or five days some were lying exposed ; but after all our own dead were interred, details buried the re- bel dead.
For miles around, every house was used as a hospi- tal ; in as short a time as practicable, the wounded were removed to Fayetteville, a beautiful village, but bear- ing evidence of the ravages of war.
The following order was issued by General Herron to his army:
HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, 1
PRAIRIE GROVE, December 10th, 1862.
Fellow Soldiers :- It is with pride and pleasure, that I am able to congratulate you on the victory so recently achieved over the enemy, meeting their combined forces, vastly superior to us in numbers, armed and equipped in the most efficient manner, contrary to what we had been led to believe, marshalled by their ablest generals, posted in a strong position of their own selection, prepared and ready to attack us, and entertaining toward us, feelings of hatred and fiendish passion. evoked by infamous lies, which rebel generals should have disdained to utter. You, fellow-soldiers. after a forced march of over one hun-
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dred miles in less than three days, weary, exhausted and almost fam- ishing, animated only by that feeling of patriotism that induced you to give up the pleasures and comforts of home, to undergo danger and hardship in the field ; did most gallantly meet, fight and repulse the enemy.
Your fellow-soldiers elsewhere, your friends and relations at home, your fellow-citizens, and your country, as they learn of the splendid service of the artillery, and of the determined and brilliant daring of the infantry, will render you that praise and honor that is justly your due. ,
Soldiers of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri ! Your native States are proud of her noble sons. I, who witnessed your gallant daring, in every encounter, in behalf of your country and my- self, tender you grateful thanks for the service you have rendered. While therefore, we drop a tear for those who have fallen and sympa- thize with those who are yet suffering, let us not forget to render thanks to the Beneficient Giver of all blessings, for the success that has thus far attested the truth of our glorious cause.
F. J. HERRON, Brigadier General, Commanding.
December 13th, brought us an immense train with ammunition and provisions from Springfield ; but no mail, and from the 4th day of December to the 21st, we waited, and watched for one, when at length, we heard from those homes where were now so many anxious hearts. Having given Gen. Herron's order to the forces under his command, I think it not out of place to insert an order of Gen. Ilindman's, issued previous to the battle, several copies of which we found printed on poor paper :
HEAD QUARTERS IST CORPS, TRANS. MISSISSIPPI ARMY, IN THE FIELD, Dec. 4th, 1862. $
Soldiers :-- From the commencement to the end of battie, have con- stantly in mind what I now urgo upon you.
First. Never fire because your comrades do, because the enemy does, because you see the enemy, nor for the sake of firing rapidly. Always wait until you are within the range of your guns, then single out your man. take deliberate aim as low down as the knee and fire.
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
Second. When occasion offers, be certain to pick off the enemies officers, especially the mounted, and kill his artillery. horses.
Third. Never shout except you charge the enemy; as a general thing keep silent, that orders may be heard, but pay no attention to unau- thorized persons or idle rumors.
Fourth. Do not stop with your wounded comrades; the surgeons and the infirmary corps will take care of them, but go forward and avenge them.
Fith. Do not break ranks to plunder. If we whip the enemy, all he has will be ours; if not, the spoils will be of no benefit to us. Plunderers and stragglers will be put to death on the spot. Remember that the enemy has no feelings of mercy or kindness towards you; his ranks are made up of Pin Indians, Free Negroes, Southern Traitors, Kansas Jayhawkers, Dutch cutthroats and bloody ruffians, who have in- vaded your country, stolen and destroyed your property, murdered your neighbors, outraged your women, driven your children from their homes and defiled the graves of your kiudred.
If each man will do what is here urged, you will utterly destroy them. We can do it, -we must do it, -our country will be ruined if we fail. A just God will strengthen our arms, and give us a glorious victory.
T. C. HINDMAN, Major Gen. Com.
With such things as the foregoing, the rebel leaders constantly strove to stir up a feeling of bitter hate toward us, and yet, with such language always around them, many men were true to the old flag in the very rank and file of this army.
I have seen blank cartridges in dead mens' pockets, and their supply in the box untouched; they had never fired a bullet at a Union soldier.
At our camp on the battle-field of Prairie Grove, we lay till Dec. 27th, when leaving behind all who were unfit for a long and hard march, we started at 4 o'clock A. M., with six days rations, and one blanket apiece, for Van Buren, a distance of sixty miles. At daylight we halted and heard a complimentary order
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read from Gen. Herron, informing us that the ob- ject of the present expedition was to chase the rebels out from Van Buren and destroy stores at that rlace. That day we marched over thirty miles, crossing one stream,-Cole Creek-over twenty times, and not stop- ping till 2 o'clock at night ; many of the boys giving out, lay down many miles behind and slept till day, then hurried forward again.
The road crossed the Boston. Mountains, ascending sometimes np great steps of rock that was extremely difficult to get the artillery over. At a distance of a few . rods from camp flowed a broad clear shallow stream, called Lee's Creek, and the cavalry knowing a long and hard days march was before us, kindly carried us over dry shod.
One cavalry man would lead two or three horses, on each of which two or three of the infantry would scramble.
To-day's march was much the same, the monotony being varied by being fired on as we wound our wea- ry way through a deep gorge, killing one horse, but no more. About 2 P. M., we passed Gen. Blunt's train. This force had left their camp near Cane Hill, nearly the same time we had left Prairie Grove.
Toward evening as we were passing over a ridge, on our right we saw a long low valley stretching far to the westward, with either side hemmed in by pine- clad hills, and far down as through an avenue of trees the last lingering sunbeam played a moment on the green valley then sunk in a bed of fire; ahead the booming of cannon announced that there was else to do than gaze a a beautiful sunset. Double-quick for an hour and we are one mile north of Van Buren,
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
where we hear the rebels have left the town to our cavalry, and we turn off the road, build fires, make our coffee and lay down to dream of Iowa, where is no more marching and short rations.
The following morning we marched down into town, and keeping step to our band, we were highly compli- mented by an elderly lady of color, who said : " La, don't dem Yanks step high!"
At the landing lay five steamboats laden with corn, commissary stores, and clothing. Going aboard these we removed ali the mattrasses there and loaded all the ambulances with them for our wounded boys at Fay- etteville. The commissary stores in town were des- troyed, the streets flowed with whisky and molasses, -a second promised land. The Fort, (Smith) was evacuated after a short but vigorous shelling.
After we marched out of town, the cavalry set fire to the steamboats "Frederic," " Key West," " Violet," " Erie No. 2," "Van Buren " and " Rose Douglass," and the glare of the burning boats lit up the sky for miles around. Several hundred head of cattle were brought in from the surrounding country by our cav- alry, who deserved the honor of the whole expedition, which was a perfect success.
On the 30th, as we were returning, we were met by Gen, Schofield, who had ridden fast and far, attended by a small escort of the 1st Iowa Cavalry.
Gen. Curtis becoming alarmed, had sent General Schofield post haste to extricate the "Army of the Frontier " from the perilous position in which it had been placed by the brave, but short sighted Herren.
At that time Gen. Schofield was much disliked by the Army of the West; but none can deny but that
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HISTORY OF THE
he deserved the sole credit of the campaign that drove the rebels out of Missouri. The jealousies between Generals Blunt, Herron, and Schofield materially de- layed the execution of Schofield's well matured plans for the salvation of Missouri. i
But the history of Gen. Schofield since that time renders all comment not only superfluous but ridic- ulous. The 31st we reached our old camp at Prairie Grove early in the day, having marched over one hun- dred miles, captured a city, destroyed a number of boats and stores, taken many cattle, and the roads too so bad we hauled the artillery up many a steep hill, and through many a mud hole, all this in four days, and in camp we found a hot supper awaiting us, pre- pared by the thoughtful boys who not being able to go with us had remained in camp.
New Years day in Dixie! brought thoughts of home. With cheery words we passed the day, won- dering where would be the end. The first of a new year, it was a "time for memory and for tears." * * * * * * *
Early the morning of January 2nd the Division moved from the scene of its first battle, and retraced its steps to Fayetteville, the wounded heroes from sunny street corners and hospital windows greeted us warmly, and there were unbidden tears at a cheery sa- lute from some comrade who stood before us on one leg. Not stopping any length of time in town, we passed on through, camping three miles southeast of Fayetteville, on White River, where on the 5th we had our first Grand Review, and on the succeeding day again took the road passing through a thrifty looking settlement, and bivouaced at the end of eleven
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miles. Taking advantage of the country, our bill of fare was good, comprising, beef, pork and mutton, chickens, some krout and molasses; quite. a variety that, for us. The succeeding day our stopping place was a mile north of the town of Huntsville, and a fine camp with good water and a fence very conveniently near.
Here Col. Kent, ( promoted since the battle of Prairie Grove,) was taken sick and remained, leaving Senior Capt. John Bruce in command of the regiment. We rested here until January 10th, when we pursued our course toward the North, traveling till after dark over rough rocky hills.
Three miles from camp six " bushwhackers " were shot, having been tried and convicted by courtmartial. One of them was the man who fired the woods at Pea Ridge, burning many of our wounded on the field. -
At our camp to-night we learn of Marmaduke's at- tack on Springfield, Missouri, and the galland defense made by Col. Crabb and the convalescents from the .
different hospitals.
Capt. Bird, of Company " F" had command of one of the forts, and elicited the highest praise for his cool- ness and intrepidity. Lieut. Root, of Company "K," also participated, it is unnecessary to say that he did well, the battle field seemed his element. It is be- lieved that the bravery and skill shown by Col. Crabb saved the place from capture; and the loss of Spring- field, from the immense quantity of stores there would have been an irreparable loss to our army of the Fron- tier, and an incalculable gain to the enemy. Rumors are rife of the close proximity of the ubiquitous Marma- · duke, and we lay in line of battle all night, ready for
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any emergency and the pursuing day we took position to receive him; but all that was visible of the rebel force, was five prisoners taken in the bush and a Major, a recruiting officer.
Carrolton, Carroll County, Arkansas, was our next stopping place, and one that was anything but agreea- ble, for it rained and snowed and blew and froze, and rations grew scarce, our train being delayed by the high stage of water in the mountain streams. For a few days our diet was parched corn and coffee, our main dependence being coffee, but we shivered and starved successfully through the freezing days, and the evening of the fourth day the train made its appear- ance ; but we enjoyed but one good meal till another move was made. Leaving Carrollton about the mid- dle of the afternoon our Regiment, rear guards, trudged many miles through mud and slush, over roads cut up by a long heavily laden train, and all our Artillery which was ahead of us.' After 11 o'clock at night we stopped in an old cornfield, and very sweetly did I sleep upon a pile of brush and old stalks, going sup- perless to bed so tired and sleepy were we. That night it froze quite hard, and we were more comforta- ble on the move than in camp.
The road led through a large pine forest, and was over rolling upland. In the afternoon some of those in front fired the pitch that had accumulated on the roots of the trees, and the smoke was so dense, it was next to impossible to pass through it ; but it had to be done, and finally with red and watery eyes and op- pressed lungs we emerged into fresh air. Water was so scarce that in camp the boys used melted snow.
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NINETEENTH IOWA INFANTRY.
During the night we had rain, then sleet, then snow, all freezing together, gave our blankets an additional weight and size, not at all convenient to carry. No tents were erected as the stay would be but for one night.
The following day, January 19th, brought us to White River, opposite Forsyth, Missouri, where we pitch our tents in a heavy fall of snow. White River was very high, and for several days no way of cross- ing could be made, but on the 21st a hawser was shot across, and after some' hard and dangerous work the boat was ready to cross the troops.
The ferry-boat was one that had been built by Gen. Curtis, and is a very small affair to cross a train of near five hundred wagons and the troops there. Some of the Ist Iowa Cavalry attempting to swim across, one of their number-James Robertson-was drown- ed. The ferry ran night and day, and the night of the 25th our regiment made a successful landing in the mud at the Forsyth wharf. (?)
Our camp was on a hill about a mile from town down the river, where we lay till February 16th, In this time a heavy snow had fallen and many of the boys brought in, as results of the chase, both turkeys and deer.
In our Sibley tents, with a camp stove of sheet iron, we thought ourselves quite comfortable, but at an hour we least looked for such a catastrophe, the rain began to fall. It was ten o'clock at night, and we all slept, but the waters dashed against the canvass tent with such force that miniature showers fell over us, and all the immunity we received from our war-worn Sibley · was a slight abatement in the force with which the
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HISTORY OF THE
descending water pelted us, and perhaps the larger drops were parted, making three or more. : The bot- tom of our tent was soon a muddy pool, while rivulets of trickling rain flowed from center-pole, rent and seam. Rolling our blankets up in Rubbers we sat dripping and sleepy till the floods had all been poured upon us, then crawled to damp repose. * * *
February 17th we moved camp and took possession of the town itself, all the houses being deserted. Citi- zens are daily coming in and drawing rations from the Government, representing their families in a starving condition, which is true in a majority of cases.
Refugees from Arkansas pass through almost every day on their way north ; they look pitiable indeed, with their skeleton teams, ragged clothes, and pallid, · restless looking children.
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