Head Quarters 15th Iowa Inft.
Clifton, Tenn., May 11, 1864
Mr. Caverly :–
Again we are “in the field,” again enjoying the hardships of “Camp life,” again luxuriating in the pleasures derived from eating “hard tack and bacon,” and retrospecting the scenes of the past few weeks, are prone to remember, that, at home, it is not so. It is happiness to reflect upon our “welcome home,” after enduring two and a half years service upholding the “Starry banner,” suffering the carnage of many hard fought battles, and pestilential diseases.
The tender greetings, the fervent blessings, the cordial and extending welcomes given us together with the abundant and substantial hospitalities bestowed upon us on every occasion, can only be remembered with feelings of pleasantness and gratitude for all these demonstrations of kindness to us, and sympathy with us, in enduring the hardships and privations of a soldier’s life, and for all those other feelings and sentiments of regard, which words and actions fail to express; we tender you, the people of Oceola, of Clark Co., and of the glorious State of Iowa, – our most heart felt thanks.
Our brief sojourn in Keokuk, – from the 22nd until the 27th of April, – I am proud to say, was a continuance of that kind regard bestowed upon us everywhere. And now that we are again in a country desolated by the hand of “grim visaged war,” and where instead of meeting friends, we are confronted by a relentless enemy, ready at all times to destroy life. We look back upon those scenes and pleasures, as constituting an “Oasis” in the desert of life in the army, and dwell upon them with pride and comfort
Our regiment arrived a[t] Clifton, Tenn. at 2 o’clock P. M. The 6th Inst., per steamer “Henry Von Phull,” having left Paducah, Ky. On the 5th at 8 A. M., and Cairo, Ill. At 2 A. M. on the 2nd. Nothing of note transpired on the trip, expecting an occasional shot from guerillas along the Tennessee River which failed to damage any one. Our stay at Paducah, was occasioned by a threatened attack on that place Forrest [sic]. Perhaps from a knowledge of our presence, (there were 8 regiments of Inft. And 2d [sic] batteries of artillery, all commanded Brig. Gen. Forrest in the detachment,) the attack was not made, and we passed to Clifton without serious molestation. The fleet carrying us thither consisted of eleven transports, and two gunboats, creating a magnificent spectacle in the mind of the beholder, sailing one hundred and fifty yards apart.
The Tennessee river is a deep clear and narrow stream, with no variety of scenery in Kentucky, but nearing Clifton, becomes picturesque and romantic.
Clifton contains but few people, and in the “palmy [sic] days of the Republic” obtained some importance from the Cement and Iron manufactories in its vicinity. The most important buildings have been burned. The people are mainly loyal, and have given twenty five hundred troops for the Government within the space of a few miles, being, our general says, a larger ration of troops according to the population, than has been furnished by any district in the northern States. In consequence thereof, foraging from the country is prohibited. A rumor has been current for a few days in camp, that Gen. Grierson has attacked and routed Forrest’s command making Forrest himself prisoner and two hundred of his men. To offset this came a report this A. M. that Gen. Grant and Staff have been captured by the rebels. As we do not know the facts, these stories are discredited.
The weather has been very warm until today, which is wet and cold. Health is quite good, though a few of the “New Recruits” are having the measles.
Yours truly;
E. H. King
– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 28, 1864
Clifton, Tenn., May 11, 1864
Mr. Caverly :–
Again we are “in the field,” again enjoying the hardships of “Camp life,” again luxuriating in the pleasures derived from eating “hard tack and bacon,” and retrospecting the scenes of the past few weeks, are prone to remember, that, at home, it is not so. It is happiness to reflect upon our “welcome home,” after enduring two and a half years service upholding the “Starry banner,” suffering the carnage of many hard fought battles, and pestilential diseases.
The tender greetings, the fervent blessings, the cordial and extending welcomes given us together with the abundant and substantial hospitalities bestowed upon us on every occasion, can only be remembered with feelings of pleasantness and gratitude for all these demonstrations of kindness to us, and sympathy with us, in enduring the hardships and privations of a soldier’s life, and for all those other feelings and sentiments of regard, which words and actions fail to express; we tender you, the people of Oceola, of Clark Co., and of the glorious State of Iowa, – our most heart felt thanks.
Our brief sojourn in Keokuk, – from the 22nd until the 27th of April, – I am proud to say, was a continuance of that kind regard bestowed upon us everywhere. And now that we are again in a country desolated by the hand of “grim visaged war,” and where instead of meeting friends, we are confronted by a relentless enemy, ready at all times to destroy life. We look back upon those scenes and pleasures, as constituting an “Oasis” in the desert of life in the army, and dwell upon them with pride and comfort
Our regiment arrived a[t] Clifton, Tenn. at 2 o’clock P. M. The 6th Inst., per steamer “Henry Von Phull,” having left Paducah, Ky. On the 5th at 8 A. M., and Cairo, Ill. At 2 A. M. on the 2nd. Nothing of note transpired on the trip, expecting an occasional shot from guerillas along the Tennessee River which failed to damage any one. Our stay at Paducah, was occasioned by a threatened attack on that place Forrest [sic]. Perhaps from a knowledge of our presence, (there were 8 regiments of Inft. And 2d [sic] batteries of artillery, all commanded Brig. Gen. Forrest in the detachment,) the attack was not made, and we passed to Clifton without serious molestation. The fleet carrying us thither consisted of eleven transports, and two gunboats, creating a magnificent spectacle in the mind of the beholder, sailing one hundred and fifty yards apart.
The Tennessee river is a deep clear and narrow stream, with no variety of scenery in Kentucky, but nearing Clifton, becomes picturesque and romantic.
Clifton contains but few people, and in the “palmy [sic] days of the Republic” obtained some importance from the Cement and Iron manufactories in its vicinity. The most important buildings have been burned. The people are mainly loyal, and have given twenty five hundred troops for the Government within the space of a few miles, being, our general says, a larger ration of troops according to the population, than has been furnished by any district in the northern States. In consequence thereof, foraging from the country is prohibited. A rumor has been current for a few days in camp, that Gen. Grierson has attacked and routed Forrest’s command making Forrest himself prisoner and two hundred of his men. To offset this came a report this A. M. that Gen. Grant and Staff have been captured by the rebels. As we do not know the facts, these stories are discredited.
The weather has been very warm until today, which is wet and cold. Health is quite good, though a few of the “New Recruits” are having the measles.
Yours truly;
E. H. King
– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 28, 1864
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