From the Third Iowa Infantry

Pittsburg, Tenn., April [13th], 1862

The smoke of the battle of the 6th and 7th has passed away; the wounded have been cared for and many of them sent to northern hospitals. For a few days past it has been pleasant and roads are now becoming dry, and the army are [improving] it in getting out their transportation and arranging for a forward movement. Daily batteries are being brought in and sent towards the outer lines, and when all arrangements are completed the army will move upon Corinth. Our lines at present are but little in advance of what they were previous to the battle of Pittsburg, and I presume the line will not be pushed forward until we are ready to follow it up with such energy as to be able to overcome all obstacles. The possession of Huntsville by our troops has broken the R. R. line of communication between the East and West.

The telegraph has been completed to this place. The wires pass over our camp and have their termination a little beyond us in the woods.

The rebel Gen. Johnston is buried about one mile form our camp (3d Iowa) and has a fence around his grave. The General was dressed in disguise. His coat was the common gray of the rebel soldiers, and he war a slouched hat.

Dr. Edwards is no longer a member of the Iowa Third. He did not choose to stand a trial and a proposition came from some one that he would resign if the charges were withdrawn. The resignation was sent in when the charges against him were withdrawn, the resignation accepted, and the Dr. took his departure from Tennessee.

There is a strong feeling here among the soldiers against Gen. Grant for allowing the surprise which happened on the 6th. I notice that some of the papers are trying to cast blame upon Gen. Buell for not being here sooner but any one that knows the state of the country through which Gen. Buell marched his army will doubt not that the Gen. got his forces through with all the haste possible. Of course the friends of Gen. Grant will endeavor to cast the responsibility upon some one else; but if Buell was behind time, it was no excuse for Grant not using due precaution in guarding against a surprise. On the contrary, he should have used extraordinary precaution. It is sheer nonsense to make excuses for being surprised by an army of 100,000 strong. Had our army been properly formed during Saturday night, and the older troops placed in the front instead of the new troops, some of which had had their guns but a few weeks, our army would have held their ground and the enemy been repulsed upon the first day.

St. Charles

– Published in the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, May 2, 1862