Letter From Lieut. King

Headq’rs 15th Iowa
Holmes’ Plantation
May 7th, 1863

Mr. Caverly:

My long silence arises less from a want in my desire to communicate with you, than from a succession of extraneous circumstances, over which I had no control, and which so completely occupied my time, that little pleasure, like epissolating [sic] with old friends – not to be overlooked, nor underrated – had to be waived, for the transaction of more important business, coming legitimately under the head of “Military necessity,” which it is understood must be performed at all hazzards [sic], or “red tape” is brought to sufferance. But I am not going to tell you all that press upon us of late, nor half of it. An idea or two is all that the brief time allotted to me will admit of narration.

I think I wrote you of our departure from Providence and arrival at Milligan’s Bend [sic]. – Leaving the bend on the 26th of April, the 28th found us at our present camp, 25 miles south of the former, having performed the march under the most difficult circumstances. Sun, rain and mud, and each in the greatest profusion, combined to make it at once the most tedious, difficult, disagreeable march we have performed in many months. The 26th was extremely warm. The 27th it rained and stormed furiously. The 28th – the last day of the march, the mud was so deep and expansive that the teams and artillery and provision trains floundered badly. It was with no little satisfaction that we found ourselves pleasantly situated on the grounds, said to have been formerly occupied by the rebel General Holmes, and his horde of “contrabands.” It was not known how long we might remain here, but it was generally conceded that the time would be brief. None ever dreamed of staying ten days, and if any person had been bold enough to have made such a prediction, he would have been regarded as a prophet of lies. But though we have remained this far from the “bloody strife,” raging furiously in front, we have not been idle. Ammunition had to be transported forward for the use of those engaged in action; trains had to be guarded and working parties protected. We have performed our share of this work. In the meantime those not engaged in the manner described, have been perfecting themselves in the art of war, to be the better enabled to perform the grave task before them. It is now generally understood that Grand Gulf is ours, together with 455 prisoners with their guns and accoutrements, and 12 pieces of cannon. The prisoners passed here for Chicago on the 5th inst. Another drove of two hundred passed here to-day. Thirteen hundred more are reported on the way and will be here to-morrow.

The latest news from the front was to the effect that Gen. Crocker, commanding the 7th Division – Quimby’s formerly – had Pt. Gibson invested, and would give it a terrible pounding unless soon surrendered; and that Gen. Logan had a gang of rebels surrounded and was preparing to give them ‘grief’ summarily. From the character of these Gen’s and their commands, it is not improbably that success will crown their efforts.

Of other events we know but little and that little in so uncertain a way that it may be reasonably doubted whether we know it at all.

Although we had begun to think our Division destined to bring up the rear of the mighty column now demonstrating in the vicinity of Vicksburg, rumors are afloat that Grant has ordered our Brigade to the front. – The order it is asserted, has been transferred to the Brigade Headquarters and that the line of march will be resumed on the 9th inst. This rumor is not without foundation, for everything not actually necessary to the health and comfort of the soldier, and such of these as cannot be packed on six wagons, must be sent back to the river tomorrow, as it will be the only opportunity for doing so while in the present camp. One tent to the company for the protection of rations from the storm, together with rations and ammunition, is all we have now. It is hard to conceive how we can turn more over and still have enough for the actual necessities of the march.

I will close as the waning candle bespeaks an early return to darkness, with out a supernumerary to supply the place of the flickering taper, thus enshrouding me in the general gloom.

But I have told you something, and would tell you much more which I am confident you will never hear – but my light is gone out and left me in mid-night darkness, without a soul away to help me enjoy it.

Sinking into the embraces of Morpheus, without one single ray of light to guide my feeble [bark], I resign my pen and take to my blankets.

Yours in Somber,
E. H. King

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 30, 1863