Army Correspondence

Camp Shilo [sic], Pittsburg, Tenn.,
April 2, 1862

Editor Hawk-Eye:

Dear sir, – That your readers may know the whereabouts of the Sixth Iowa, I take the present opportunity to write you a line, and note a few of the passing events. After a pleasant trip of nine days, on board the steamer Crescent City, we landed at Pittsburg, Tennessee, on the 18th day of March, and since that event have passed our time as pleasantly as soldiers usually do without money or – being blessed with delightful weather – in drilling, scouting, and performing picket duty, and an occasional review.

To-day our Brigade, the 1st in the 5th Division, composed of the 6th Iowa, 46th Ohio, 40th Illinois, and Capt. _____ Indiana Battery were review by Gen. U. S. Grant. We have lain at this point fifteen days, and are becoming exceedingly impatient for an order to advance, as we have been under marching orders ever since our arrival.

Ours and the rebel pickets are nearly every day within speaking distance, and to relieve the monotony of camp life they interest themselves by shooting at each other. Almost ever day the scouts bring in a lot of – as the boys call them – the “Butternut Fellers,” who have strayed from the secesh camp. This evening quite an incident occurred. Capt. Brydolf of Co. I, Capt. Walden Co. D, Capt. Saunders Co. E, Lieut. Searcy Co. C, and Quartermaster Brunaugh were out on a pleasure excursion. When about three miles from camp on the Corinth road, the espied a couple of the Butternuts – 300 yards distant. As they were making off Lieut. Searcy ordered them to halt – they heard and acquiesced. Lieut. Searcy again put his vocal powers to the test, and ordered them to advance, and upon some warlike demonstration by our party they did so, as meek as lambs, having thrown away their guns when first discovered, with the exception of their tooth picks. They were escorted into camp, and relieved of their arms, and the contents of their pockets. Among articles found upon their persons were passes, duly signed, granting four days leave of absence by Gen. _____, who is, as appears from the papers to be at Barnesville. They are not very talkative, and as yet no information of importance can be derived from them. A few days will probably reveal important information.

On Friday last, two deserters from the rebel forces, came within our lines and gave themselves up, who report the enemy encamped at Corinth, 18 miles distant, 80,000 strong, commanded by Gen. Bragg, and that the rebels have some notion of attacking us, but are withheld because they do not know the amount of our force. When they left they had no heavy artillery, but were expecting a supply very soon. They have, according to the report of these deserters, been at work on the entrenchments since the evacuation of Columbus. They report provisions very scarce and hard to get, and that powder is worth five dollars per pound. They had not seen a drop of coffee for four months. They affirm that the 1st Sergeant and 50 men of their company would desert the first opportunity, and that hundreds more would do the same thing if they had any possible chance. From these men we learn that the rebels are fortifying half a mile this side of Corinth, on a hill, that they have felled timber and rendered the approach impassable in front, and in this barricade of fallen timber, have dug rifle pits.

We are encamped within 18 miles of Corinth and when the order is given to advance, not many hours will elapse ere the bravery of the Sixth will be tested.

Colonel McDowell is now the acting Brigadier General of our Brigade. The Division is commanded by Gen Sherman.

Lieut. Colonel Cummins has charge of the Regiment, and is alone, as Major John M. Corse is on Gen. Pope’s staff.

Soldier

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

6th Iowa Infantry: Special Requisition

No. 40
–––––––––6th Iowa SPECIAL REQUISITION Co D
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

For:
(46) Forty Six Uniform Coats
109 One Hundred & Nine pairs Pants
63 Sixty-three Hats
63 Sixty-three Bugles
63 Sixty-three Eagles
63 Sixty-three Feathers
63 Sixty-three Cords & Tassles
25 Twenty-five pairs Shoes
135 One Hundred & Thirty-five Shirts
99 Ninety-nine pair Drawers
48 Forty-eight Blouses
86 Eighty-six pair Socks
(24) Twenty-four Knapsacks
(7) Seven Haversacks
(17) Seventeen Blankets
(1) One Order Book
(1) One Description Book
(1) One Clothing Book
(4) Four Sibley Tents complete
(2) Two Wall Tents & Flies complete
(7) Seven Camp Kettles
(5) Five Mess Pans
(10) Ten Canteens

I certify that the above requisition is correct; and that the articles specified are absolutely requisite for the Public Service, rendered so by the following circumstances:

My company is destitute and in need of the above mentioned articles

M. M. Walden
Capt.Comdg Co “D” 6th Iowa

Quartermaster U. S. Army will issue the articles specified in the above requistion

Jno. M. Corse
Lt Col. Commanding

Received at Memphis Tennessee the 15th day of August 1862 of 1st Lieut. Jas. Brunaugh Quartermaster U. S. Army 6th Iowa Infantry all of the articles specified in full of the above requisition

(Signed Duplicates)

M. M. Walden
Capt. Comdg Co “D” 6th Iowa

6th Iowa Infantry: Special Requisition

This "Special Requisition" was auctioned on Ebay last night. I was the high bidder with 23 seconds to go before being outbid. On the upside there was a really good scan of the requisition (above) from which I was able to make the following transcription:

No. 40

SPECIAL REQUISITION

For
87 Eighty seven Uniform Coats
113 One Hundred & thirteen Prs Pants
89 Eighty nine Hats
81 Eighty one Feathers
89 Eighty nine Bugles
89 Eighty nine Cords & Tassels
89 Eighty nine Eagles
1 One Knapsack
13 Sets Chevrons
165 One Hundred & sixty five Shirts
68 Sixty eight Prs Drawers
149 One Hundred & forty nine Pr Socks
34 Thirty four Prs Shoes
24 Twenty four Prs Boots
11 Eleven Blankets
92 Ninety two Blouses
2 Two Jackets
1 One Canteen
10 Ten Camp Kettles
27 Twenty Seven Mess Pans

I certify that the above Requisition is correct; and that the articles specified are absolutely requisite for the Public Service, rendered so by the following circumstances: The articles above mentioned are needed in my company.

H. Saunders
Com'd’ing Co. “E” 6th Iowa Vols.

Lt. James Brunaugh Quartermaster 6th Iowa Vols U. S. Army will issue the articles specified in the above requisition.

Markoe Cummins
Lt Col Commanding

Received at in the Field in Mo. & Tenn. the 30th day of March 1862 of 1st Lt. Jas. Brunaugh Quartermaster U. S. Army 6th Iowa Vols all of the articles above specified in full of the above requisition.

(Signed Duplicates)

H. Saunders
Com’d’g Co. “E” 6th Iowa Vols