Weekly Gazette
Elgin, Illinois
May 28, 1862

Army Correspondence
From Capt. M. B. Baldwin

CAMP FIRST COTTON, Ark.

MAY 11th, 1862

Well, here we are, 14 miles East of Batesville. We crossed the White river and marched 14 miles towards Little Rock, when we were ordered to about face. It is said 11 Reg'ts are ordered to Tennessee. Gen. Osterhaus goes on with the balance of the army, to Little Rock. He made a speech to us on parting, in which he said, "every man could not be a Maj. Gen., but, mine Got, I believe every Illinois boy ought to be." We are now under Gen. Asboth, Col. Knoblesdoff, Acting Brigadier. We are going to the Mississippi River - strike the River at Cape Girardeau - some 200 miles. Are to take 12 days rations. Suppose the roads are very bad. - Our transportation is nearly worn out. It seems impossible that they can be driven through in their poor jaded and galled condition, with the loads they have to draw. It is supposed we are destined to Corinth. - Report says Halleck ordered us to come as soon as possible. It is hard on the boys - We can't march to the river in less than 12 days, and more probably it will take 15 - Expect to be on half rations or none, before we get through. But that nothing only soldiers hungry. I am quite well. the boys marching every day. I am not troubled with my lungs at all, except the eternal feeling of tired, which is not disagreeable. We do not hear from Ed. or Judge, only that they got home. Things are moving along quietly in the Reg't. Capt. Jenks is acting Maj.

The boys from Elgin are all well, Wakeman wished me to send word to Perkins or Miller that the Richmond boys were all well.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MAY 22d

We arrived at this place today at half past one o'clock, making the last 200 miles by forced marches, in 10 days, one day of the time was lost in getting across the Currant River. The poor boys are tired and worn out, many of them in footsore. They have marched some 1000 miles since they left Rolla. I am confident that this division of the grand army has end red more, from privations and hardships than any other. The boys are mostly well. Taylor has been sick but is getting quite smart. Wickwire, Blackman, Pat. Brannon, Blent Rowland, ---ox and one or tow others, have been unable to march, some having rode all the way from Batesville; others marched a part of the time. We found the boys, sent from Bentonville to Springfield sick, on our arrival here, excepting John Burr, who was not able to leave, but doing well, and George Kimball, of Beliven's Mills, McHenry Co. -- No better or truer man ever engaged in the cause. he was not only respected by all the boys, but beloved by everybody who knew him.

The Adjutant just called and notified me that our pay accounts must be made out tonight. We march at four o'clock in the morning for the steamer, going down the river to Corinth, so you see I will have no sleep to night. I can see no use in rushing men through at such a rate-we can be of little use when we get there. We are ordered to cook 4 day's rations. Great God, you can sympathise and imagine the hardships, but the half is not told. We cannot send our money home unless the Pay-Master will take it, as Halleck has put an embargo on letters and all mail matter, coming from the army, home.

Yours, &c.,

M. B. BALDWIN