From The 2d Iowa Cavalry

BENTON BARRACKS, MO., Feb. 17th, 1862.

FRIEND SANDERS – On Wednesday last the regiment received orders to be ready as soon as possible to go to Ironton.  The news was received with joy, as the boys are anxious to be off; but on Thursday the order was countermanded.  Yesterday the balance of the revolvers were distributed, and the first battalion tried their skill at target practice; the men behaved very well, and the horses admirable.  Last night about 11 o’clock an order came from headquarters to grind sabres, and giving instructions on how to pack up.  This began to look like business.

To-day about 2 p.m., orders came to be ready to march to the river at 7 1-2 tomorrow.  The first battalion, under command of Maj. Hepburn, are now packed up, four days rations in haversacks, wagons loaded, and at the appointed time they will be in line ready for duty.  They go on the steamer D. G. Taylor.  Three squadrons under command of Maj. Coon, leave on another boat at noon; three others, under command of Col. Hatch, at night, and the balance Tuesday morning.

The 2d cavalry will perhaps very soon get a chance to show their colors.  To-night we have the glorious news of Price’s defeat and capture of 6,000 prisoners by Gen. Curtis.  This is grand.

But to check our exultation, we hear our gunboats are repulsed with great damage and serious loss of life, at Fort Donelson.  We hope that part may prove false, though we fear it may be too true.  There, no doubt, will be the bloodiest fight yet, for nothing but the prestige of a victory there for the rebels could counteract the general gloom caused by the recent defeats, and which so threatens to overwhelm their waning cause.  We may be repulsed there, but soon the victory will be ours.  It is only a question of time there, as elsewhere.  With the fall of Donelson added to the list, they may well begin to despair.

I will mail this on my way to the river, so you may [be] sure we’re gone this time.  If it see any sights by the way to Tennessee, I’ll write ‘em.

DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 2