Camp near Jacinto Head Quarters Gen Rosecranse Sept. 24th 1862. My Own much Loved Emma. Your two last letters bearing date respectivly of the 15th &. 19th have just been received Both came at the same time. How little you knew when writing to me on the 19th Inst. that your own Mark was then marching to attack _ or fighting with the Rebels under Gen Price. Such was the fact dear Emma On the after noon of the 19th Inst. we had a tremendious Battle with the Enemy. I will give you a brief description of the battle. If I remember rightly _ my last letter was dated from Iuka _ where we were then Encamped. We were then in small force _ only a few thousand men all told. We received New's that Sterling Price was advancing with Thirty Thousand men _ and with this overwhelming force we could do nothing but withdraw which was done accordingly we fell back upon Corinth. Price in the mean- while occupied Iuka. But not long was he to remain there in peace for Rosecranse as rapidly as possible was concentrating his scattered Forces and on the morning of the 18th we were marching upon Iuka with several divisions Gen. Rosecranse with several Brigades was to advance from Jacinto. &. attack Price from the west. Gen U.S. Grant with a large force was to attack him from a north west direction soon after the Battle opened. During the 18th day of Sept I was Orderly for Maj Gen. Rosecranse &. rode by his side during the whole day We passed much Infantry Cavalry and Artillery and as the General rode by them he was greeted by many cheers, That night we Encamped near the advance of the Column. The next morning at three oclock the Infantry &. Artillery were on the march We all Expected ere the sun had sank to rest that night to hear the Booming of Canon. &. we were not disapointed We advanced! and at three oclock P.M. the Rebel Pickets were drove in they Contested every inch of the ground for some distance and finally gave way in disorder This occured six miles from Iuka. We now Expected no resistance until we came up with their main force _ which we expected to find behind their Brest works which surr- ounded the Town. But we were mistaken. When two miles from the Town we came to a fork in the road One branch [bearing?] Consideraly to the left. the other to the right. Both however Entering Iuka at different points. The 5th Iowa Regiment was in advance Our company Just in their Rear Generuls Rosecranse Sulivan Hamilton &. Stanley were riding behind our Company. As. the advance Came up to the fork in the Road _ The 5th Iowa were ordered to advance down the right hand road, and our company to make a recanoisance down the left as far as our daring Capt. should deem prudent. I was now an orderly for Gen Hamilton. &. had just returned from the Rear of his division with despatches for him Seeing our Company starting off I rode up to Gen Hamilton and asked permission to follow the Comp- -any at first he refused But finally said go with them _ but after the Reconoitre. Report to me. I shall want you soon. I tuched my Hat (For I respect him). and puting spurs to my Horse was soon in the Ranks. It was a dangerous position. Comon sense taught us the Enemy were near. for we had drove their Pickets in four miles back. On Either side thick _ and almost imppenetrable underbrush lined the road. Here an army of thousands could lay Concealed and many of us did not doubt the enemy were in there in force. This was after wards proved true. for Rebel Prisoners say we advance ¼ of a mile inside their lines _ and the only reason we were not all annihilated was because for One Company they did not feel disposed to expose their position we passed on until we came to an open field where the Enemy as far as the eye could reach could be seen _ bristling canon [pouned?] upon us in Every direction. We concluded the time had arrived for us to get back Page 5th [1862, Sept. 24] out of range of those canon as we had nothing to support us against Artillery. Scarsely had we joined our own lines before Crash _ crash Crash _ and volly after volly of musketry was heard down the right hand road _ The 5th Iowa had been brought into a Rebel Ambuscade and their Ranks teribly thined by the galling fire of the Concealed Rebels. Reinforcements were sent as rapidly as follows possible The 4 Minnesota Constables Ohio Battery. the 10th Iowa and many other Regiments were soon formed in line of Battle* Ex tending in the shape of a “v.” across both roads _ At this time the Battle was tremendious. We had thrown some Eighty thousand men forward into line &. had others in supporting distance which were hastened for- ward as rapidly as needed. The Rebels had some 15 thousand men engaged which was more than they could use to good effect without making flank movements which they attempted to do but were *See map which I will enclose repulsed each time. I was ordered by General Hamilton to cary a Des- patch to the Commander of a Battery on right hand road. but was cut off and Came very near being taken Prisoner However I saw my mistake in time to save myself _ and upon arriving at the Battery found its Commander dead Evry Horse Killed and that the Battery had been taken by the secessionists _ and retaken by our troops _ all this time the most tremendious firing of musketry perhapse ever witnessed on the American Continent was going on. I must acknowled- -ge I never Expected to leave that field alive _ The Rebels fought like Tigers _ charged and seemed determined never to fall back. They would advance upon our men and come so close that they would Knock Each others brains out with the buts of their muskets _ Finally our reinforcements Came up _ and our Boys with a shout charged upon them _ It was now dark and the Enemy fled in Confusion leaving us masters of the field. Perhapse you have heard noises _ Heard 4th of July Celebra- tions etc. etc. But you never heard anything to compare with the cheers of Twenty- Thousand American Sol- -diers _ when they are left in possession of a Hotly Contest- -ed Battle Field. Dear Emma I could write a great deal more concerning the Battle _ the groans of the wounded &. dying etc. etc. For I was there upon the Battle Field all night attending to the wounded _ However suffice it to say Our loss in killed & wounded are nearly Seven Hundred While the rebel loss Exceeds One thousand besides many Prisoners. Oh! My Own loved Emma. during the heat of that Battle with the dead and wounded strewn around me. While shots were flying and shells bursting You My Loved Girl p 8th was thought of. Yes dear Emma Even there. while discharging my duty your dear good Picture was taken from next my heart and kissed. Oh! Emma dear sweet Emma. I am willing to prove my deep affection for you in any way. You may name although years may pass before we meet again rest assured you will still remain as dear. Yes, dear than when we parted at your Mothers gate that Sundy night. Oh! Dear One you are so good true, and sincere I can hardly see how any one can help loving you but alth- -ough the whole world should treat you with contempt. Your Own Mark will remain true to you. Yes forever. When we meet dear Emma _ and I can press you to my heart _ and Kiss your dear lips then darling Girl I can Express all.Yet should the “Fortunes of War” spare me. and your dear life be spared until then we will be Joined to part no more. and dear dear Emma. When I can Kiss you and Call you my Own Happy Bride. Oh! then. I shall be happy indeed. Wait patiently my “promised Bride.” The day will come when Peace & Prosperity will again reign throughout the length Page 9th , and breadth of our Once happy Land. When our noble Flag will float in Peace over every inch of Teritory. over every Fort Arsenall and Publick Building originally belonging to the United States. May God speed the day _ that I Even I may return to her I love so dearly, and Consider myself worthy of her. How is your Mothers health? Write to Me often dear Emma Do. not wait always for me _ For some times Circumstances are such that I cannot write when I wish to. What is Goodwin Gandy's &. Cos Clerks name _ Perhaps I am aquainted with him. Please excuse writing. my Desk is a tin Plate in my lap _ Not very substantial Ha, ha! ha! Give my Respects to [illegible in original] , and the W. Girls if you think proper Write to One who Loves you dearer than his life. Dearer than the whole world. Give my Love to your Mother You have my whole Love Some of your questions are unanswered but dear I have got to go on duty so Good Bye. Boys send Respects Charlie Goodman's Horse while in the thickest of the fight was shot &. Killed under him. Frank &. Charlie were both Cool &. Brave Write Soon to your Lover. To Your Own Mark