BIRD’S POINT, Mo., March 2, 1862.
FRIEND SANDERS. – The papers reach us very irregularly here. Those writing, or mailing for the 2d cavalry, will please direct to Cairo, Ill., until further orders; we have a regimental mail to and from Cairo daily.
The general health of the regiment is better than at any time since leaving Davenport. Surgeons Reeder and Noyes, are enjoying at present a respite from the arduous duties imposed on them, day and night, while at Benton Barracks.
On Wednesday last I had the pleasure of going aboard the “Benton” at Cairo. She has never yet been in action, her engines having proved deficient, on her trial trip. She is now completed and is the largest, staunchest boat of them all. She carries sixteen guns; of her four bow guns, two are nine inch shell, Columbiads, and two fifty-six pounders, riffled. She is very wide and roomy and coated with iron mail from stem to stern. On her bow she is protected by twenty-six inches in thickness of solid oak timber, besides her iron plating, her pilot house is formed of solid iron, a foot thick and so constructed as to be impervious to any shot the rebels may choose to greet her with. She requires two hundred and fifty men to man her. She is to be the flag ship.
When the fleet of gun and mortar boats get under way, look out for a speedy opening of the Mississippi from Cairo to New Orleans.
On Friday night, at 9 o’clock, orders came for the first and second battalions, to be ready to march in half an hour, with two days rations. This was short notice, but at the time named the first battalion was in line on the parade ground, armed, equipped and ready for the fray. They were soon joined by the second battalion, and at 10 o’clock the guides went forward and the march commenced. The night was cloudy, with occasionally a sprinkle of rain, and figuratively speaking, as dark as a “stack of black cats.”
For five or six miles our route lay through the dense forest, skirting the river bank. There was no road, and the guides picked their way as best they could, having only the course of the river for their direction. The 7th Ill. cavalry were also in the column, which as we marched by twos, was about 2 miles long. On we went now running against this tree, then on that stump, then over a log or entangled in a fallen tree top, or stumbling among flood wood, which had been drifted in by the previous overflow of high water; at another time in the darkness a horse and rider got off the bank, into the river. – At each of these mishaps the long column would be brought to a halt, and sometimes be brought up “all standing,” and again plunging down a steep bank or into some ravine. Sometimes horses and riders would be down flat.
After leaving the river the road followed along the bank of a lake or bayou eight or ten miles, with a dyke extending the whole distance to prevent overflow in high water. Sometimes we were in the road, but mostly in the ditch alongside and on top of the dyke.
Just before day Charleston was reached, the column halted, and a hasty breakfast was disposed of. This Charleston is one of Jeff. Thompson’s points, and he and his crew were the crowd we were after. About daylight the 2d cavalry proceeded on six miles further to Bertrand, and according to orders awaited the arrival of Gen. Paine. He arrived about 10 o’clock, and gave orders for a return to camp. In fifteen minutes the line was in motion, faced homewards – much to the chagrin of the 2d Cavalry, who had calculated on a brush and the capture of Jeff., sure. But as usual, he was non est. Had he not been, the 2d Iowa might have had a trophy.
We arrived in camp at 5 a.m. Saturday, having made nearly fifty miles in less than 20 hours. We are up and ready for the next call, and hope when next we go, to meet secesh. Charleston is a “right smart town,” and a beautiful country immediately around it. Bertrand is a God-forsaken place, seeming to be deserted by every living thing. The country through which we passed was generally well settled, and on many of the farms good, neat and substantial farm houses, but the general absence of window curtains gave a desolate appearance to the houses, and showed a great lack of good taste at least in the inhabitants. I noticed farmers plowing, and others making garden.
8 P. M. – The 3d battalion have just received orders to march to-morrow morning about 6 o’clock, with their transportation, and encamp at Charleston. Hoping our chance my come soon, truly yours,
DIFF.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 2
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