Head Q’r’s. 15th Iowa Inft. V. V.
Huntsville, Ala., May 24, 1864
Mr. Caverly:–
This command – consisting of three brigades of Gen. Crocker’s Division, and two Brigades of Gen. Leggett’s Division, in all twenty Regiments of Infantry and six Batteries of Artillery, under command of Brig. Gen Leggett – marched from Clifton, Tenn., to this place from the 16th to the 23rd inst., laying over one day in Pulaski, Tenn., to rest the troops and procure supplies. Maj. Gen. Blair accompanied the expedition, but took no command of troops until arriving at Huntsville, where he came in command of the troops of the 17th Army Corps.
The march was very difficult of performance, the roads being exceedingly stony and rough, and the weather warm and suffocating. The distance traveled is about one hundred and twenty miles. The men are foot-sore and weary but are in good heart, eager to push to the front and be with Gen. McPherson.
The country from Clifton to Huntsville is very rugged and covered with stones. It is poor beyond description, but well watered with springs brooks and rivers, whose waters are clear as crystal, and whose shores are frequently lined with magnificent rocky battlements beautifully tinged with pine and cedar trees. The inhabitants are chiefly loyal citizens, and assemble in scores by the road-side to welcome us forward to the accomplishment of the great mission before us. There is this most noticeable feature in all Tennessee society, especially in the part through which we traveled. Where one family lives in luxury one hundred are almost at the starving point. In Alabama, near Huntsville, the case is not near so hard, but is certainly an unpleasant one to contemplate.
To-morrow at “peep o’day,” this command under Gen. Blair, will be slowly plodding its way to the front via Decatur. It is impossible to tell accurately the scenes which we must pass. Former experience tells us they will be dangerous and harrowing. But we are prepared. News from every quarter is encouraging, and we look forward to the close this campaign with hopeful and confident expectations. But my leisure ceases. Good by. Respectfully,
E. H. King
– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, June 4, 1864
Huntsville, Ala., May 24, 1864
Mr. Caverly:–
This command – consisting of three brigades of Gen. Crocker’s Division, and two Brigades of Gen. Leggett’s Division, in all twenty Regiments of Infantry and six Batteries of Artillery, under command of Brig. Gen Leggett – marched from Clifton, Tenn., to this place from the 16th to the 23rd inst., laying over one day in Pulaski, Tenn., to rest the troops and procure supplies. Maj. Gen. Blair accompanied the expedition, but took no command of troops until arriving at Huntsville, where he came in command of the troops of the 17th Army Corps.
The march was very difficult of performance, the roads being exceedingly stony and rough, and the weather warm and suffocating. The distance traveled is about one hundred and twenty miles. The men are foot-sore and weary but are in good heart, eager to push to the front and be with Gen. McPherson.
The country from Clifton to Huntsville is very rugged and covered with stones. It is poor beyond description, but well watered with springs brooks and rivers, whose waters are clear as crystal, and whose shores are frequently lined with magnificent rocky battlements beautifully tinged with pine and cedar trees. The inhabitants are chiefly loyal citizens, and assemble in scores by the road-side to welcome us forward to the accomplishment of the great mission before us. There is this most noticeable feature in all Tennessee society, especially in the part through which we traveled. Where one family lives in luxury one hundred are almost at the starving point. In Alabama, near Huntsville, the case is not near so hard, but is certainly an unpleasant one to contemplate.
To-morrow at “peep o’day,” this command under Gen. Blair, will be slowly plodding its way to the front via Decatur. It is impossible to tell accurately the scenes which we must pass. Former experience tells us they will be dangerous and harrowing. But we are prepared. News from every quarter is encouraging, and we look forward to the close this campaign with hopeful and confident expectations. But my leisure ceases. Good by. Respectfully,
E. H. King
– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, June 4, 1864
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