PITTSBURGH LANDING, May 11th, 1862.
FRIEND DUNHAM – Having an opportunity to send a letter by private hands to Cairo, and a few minutes to write, I send you a few lines which may be of some interest.
The whole army was drawn up in line of battle this [morning], but at this hour (2 P. M.) no attack had been made, though there has been some severe skirmishing. Friday Gen. Pope, who is on the extreme left, advanced to within two miles of Corinth and was driven back by a superior force, some two miles with severe loss on both sides. The 2d Iowa Cavalry, it is said, led the advance, and I have it from a reliable source that 400 of them were taken prisoners. Further particulars as regards this Division it is impossible for me to obtain.
This morning we were awakened by the booming of heavy guns on the right, the vicinity of Sherman’s Division, but they soon ceased and at this time everything is quiet.
I have visited within the last few days nearly all of our regiments, and find them in tolerable good health and spirits, except the 15th and 16th who are suffering considerably with the “Tennessee Quickstep.” The 17th arrived a day or two since and was sent forward to join Pope.
The boat is ready to start and I have no time to write more.
Yours,
P. S. – Dr. W. W. Nassau has been promoted to the office of Brigade Surgeon, and will pass through Burlington in a few days, on the way to join his Brigade in New Mexico. He would have left here sooner, but has been waiting to render assistance in the coming battle.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2
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