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| Union advance at Vicksburg, from an 1885 print |
Following is an extract of a letter from James B. Gregg, a
soldier in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, written from Bear Creek, Mississippi on
July 6, 1863. It was published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye on
July 25, 1863.
Our regiment has not been idle. Since we left
Helena on 29 April, we have not lain in camp more than ten days altogether. We
have scouted and explored all the country for 40 miles around Vicksburg. We
have been engaged in a great many skirmishes, some which would’ve been called
battles a year ago.
In all these, we have lost as many men as any
one of the regiments engaged in the investment line of Vicksburg, excepting a
few; we are satisfied, we will become generally known and respected by the
rebels we have met in battle, and the smoke houses and beehives we have visited.
The Fourth boys are fond of ham, honey, and milk.
