CAMP NEAR NEW MADRID , Mo.,
March 20, 1862.
FRIEND SANDERS. – Secesh having got out of our reach, across and down the river, and having no means of crossing, we are yet in camp at this point, from which the rebels fled so hastily to avoid our “close embrace.”
Heavy cannonading has been going on at Island No. 10, since Monday morning. On Wednesday firing kept up from daylight until dark, at the rate of nearly two shots per minute. The Island is distant from here, up the river though south of this point, thirty miles by water and ten by land. The firing is distantly heard, resembling distant, heavy thunder.
As I write about one peal a minute rolls its heavy echoes from short to shore. The rebels are no doubt making there a desperate stand to retrieve, if possible, some of the numerous disasters of the past. But all in vain secesh must come down – rebellion will be crushed. Soon will traitors by their own experience know of certainty, “that the way of the transgressor is hard.”
Yesterday our worthy Chaplain, Truesdell, returned from Cairo with our mail. – I was fortunate enough to receive GAZETTES up to the 15th inst. The chaplain was so unfortunate as to have his horse stolen at Sykeston, taken perhaps, by some prowling secessionist. Sykes, the principal man in the place is “Union;” but he had a notice stuck up on his door, “No more meals to soldiers for less than fifty cents.” Asked one of his contrabands how long he had been “Union?” “Since you came, massa.” How long will he be so? “Till you gwine off, praps.” Contraband said he had been at No. 10, helping to fortify. Such Union men. Why not confiscate, “utterly and without remedy?”
Weather is fine – peach trees in bloom. Hoping to see our gunboats soon and commence a “forward to Memphis.” I remain,
Yours,
DIFF.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 2
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