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Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

1862-10-27 Page 2

Here, also, are strong fortifications on a rise of ground, above the city, on the river bank, commanding the town and the bend of the river. Verily, this is the land of war. The battle field of Belmont we passed just before day, before reaching Columbus, so I could not see it.
We are now going at full steam down the river. No cheering us now on either side the river. We have just landed at a wood yard on the Missouri side and the boys are trying their guns. A gunboat & steamboat just passed, going up the river. In a few hours we will be at Island No 10. We have just been marched out on shore & had Dress parade & all loaded & fired their guns to try them. We had out in the woods a picket guard of 100 men while we were on parade. They loaded on some 30 cords of wood, piling it all round the boilers & machinery in order to protect it from balls if fired into. Hickman lies opposite a little above here, in sight. It is in Ky. & gave up with only a few shots last fall.
We are now on the move again. 12 o.clock fine, pleasant day. 3 o.clock P.M. We have just passed Island No. 10. Saw some men, tents, gov. wagons & stores, & cannon on it, & out in the river one of the boats that was sunk when

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Here, also, are strong fortifications on a rise of ground, above the city, on the river bank, commanding the town and the bend of the river. Verily, this is the land of war. The battle field of Belmont we passed just before day, before reaching Columbus, so I could not see it. We are now going at full steam down the river. No cheering us now on either side the river. We have just landed at a wood yard on the Missouri side and the boys are trying their guns. A gunboat & steamboat just passed, going up the river. In a few hours we will be at Island No 10. We have just been marched out on shore & had Dress parade & all loaded & fired their guns to try them. We had out in the woods a picket guard of 100 men while we were on parade. They loaded on some 30 cords of wood, piling it all round the boilers & machinery in order to protect it from balls if fired into. Hickman lies opposite a little above here, in sight. It is in Ky. & gave up with only a few shots last fall. We are now on the move again. 12 o.clock fine, pleasant day. 3 o.clock P.M. We have just passed Island No. 10. Saw some men, tents, gov. wagons & stores, & cannon on it, & out in the river one of the boats that was sunk when