The following letter was written by Calvin McGowan (1836-1892), the son of Archibald McGowan (1790-1858) and Hannah Tebay (1799-1870) of Fairview, Jones county, Iowa. According to regimental records, Calvin mustered into Co. B, 9th Iowa Infantry as a private on 27 September 1861 and mustered out three years later on 24 September 1864 when his term expired.

“The last company was mustered September 24, 1861, and, two days later, the regiment, with an aggregate strength of 977 officers and enlisted men, was embarked on steamboats at Dubuque and transported to St. Louis, and, upon its arrival there, marched to Benton Barracks, where it received it first supply of arms, clothing and camp equipage. Here it remained until October 11th, receiving such instruction in military drill as could be given in so short a period of time. It was then ordered to proceed to Franklin, Mo., at which Place regimental headquarters were maintained, while companies were detached to different points for the purpose of guarding the railroad from Franklin toward Rolla, Mo. During the three months in which the regiment remained upon this duty, it suffered greatly from exposure to the inclement winter weather, and, like all new regiments, was subjected to much sickness on account of such exposure. On the last day of the year 1861, the official returns showed a death loss of 17, and 7 discharged on account of disability, total 24; but on the same date it had gained 38 by additional enlistment, and 4 by transfers making a net gain of 18, and an aggregate of 995. Of this number however many were on the sick list, and the hardships which the regiment was called upon to endure, during the active winter campaign which followed, still further reduced its fighting strength, and when it first went into battle it numbered but little more than half the aggregate above stated. January 21, 1862 the regiment was again consolidated, the companies on detached duty having been relieved, and was conveyed by rail to Rolla, Mo., and from there begins its first real campaign against the enemy. Marching to Lebanon, Mo., it joined the Army of the Southwest commanded by General Curtis. Colonel Vandever was placed in command of the brigade to which his regiment was attached, leaving Lieut. Col. Frank J. Herron in command of the regiment.

Upon the approach of the Union forces, the rebel General Price evacuated Springfield, which he had occupied during the winter, and began his retreat towards the Ozark Mountains. Then began that remarkable march of general Curtis’ army in pursuit of the enemy. The regiment started from Springfield on the 14th of February and, in less than one month, had marched over difficult roads, and much of the time through storms of alternating rain and snow, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles. Arriving at Cross Hollows, Ark., a detachment of three hundred of the regiment was sent upon an expedition to Huntsville, forty miles distant, with the purpose of surprising and capturing a detachment of the enemy stationed there as a guard for commissary stores; but, upon reaching Huntsville, they found the place abandoned, and learned that the rebel army under General Van Dorn was marching to the attack of General Curtis’ army, which had fallen back from Cross Hollows and taken up a new position at Pea Ridge. Realizing the danger of being cut off and captured by a superior force, the detachment of the Ninth Iowa at once started to rejoin the command and, after a continuous march of sixteen hours, covering a distance of forty-two miles, it reached the regiment at 8 P. M., March 6th. With only a few hours of rest after this exhausting march, these men went into the memorable battle of Pea Ridge at 10 A. M., March 7, 1862.”

Transcription

Camp Scott, Missouri
January 14th 1862

Dear Cousin,

Your kind letter of the 4th of this month has come to hand. I was glad to hear from you and sorry too. It was about seven o’clock in the evening when I received your letter. We was all sitting around a good fire and singing some old familiar songs when I read over your letter. I was surprised to hear of so many deaths among my old relations, but we must all die sooner or later. We must all come to that end. I hope us all will be willing to go when that day comes for to meet that solemn hour.

I have not much to write at this time. Price still roams through this county seeking whom he may devour but I think we will soon devour him. Jim Lane has got a job of cleaning Price out. He is going to start in a few days on pursuit of Price. There is two Iowa regiments going with him. We may be one of them and we may not. I hope we will. There is thirty thousand going with him. They have to be picked regiments.

There was a fight a few days ago on Silver Creek not far from this place—a complete victory for the Union men. When our men come up on them, they were in line of battle. Our men was all cavalry men. They rode right up and broke their line and put them all to flight. There was four hundred of our men and eleven hundred rebels. We killed thirty and wounded about forty. We lost three men and thirty wounded. That is a true account of the Battle of Silver Creek [see Battle of Roan’s Tan Yard, 8 January 1862] We took sixty horses and a great many wagons and two wagon loads of powder. The Union men burnt the wagons and kept the powder.

There was ten thousand cavalry started from Rolla a few days ago. They started the course of Springfield. We have not heard from them since they left. Price has possession of Springfield—at least he had a few days ago. Since I have commenced this letter, we have got further news. We leave this place tomorrow morning at seven o’clock. That is the orders now. I can’t tell you where we will go yet. That is not known yet. I did not know this when I commenced this letter. The orders may be countermanded before morning. I hope it will not. Our regiment is well fitted out for service. We have twelve cannons. Some of them is 18-pounders. I hope they will say something before long and do something. I would like to hear them howl and [the] rebels too.

We had news a few days ago that the big fleet had started from St. Louis last week to Columbus, Kentucky. I will say in conclusion that our company has not lost a man yet but our regiment has lost thirty since we left Dubuque, all by disease. We have got the best regiment in the State of Missouri and our company is the best company in the regiment—Co. B. I think we will see fun in a few days. That is the opinion of the officers this night. The sooner the better. We have got the best of guns. They will shoot nine hundred yards.

I must close for this evening. You must excuse this letter for there was 18 men in the same shanty where I was trying to write and it is impossible for any man to write. This leaves me hearty and in good spirits. I hope it will find you all the same. Give my love to all enquiring friends. I hope to see you all someday. Be sure and write as soon as you get this letter. Yours truly, — Calvin McGowan

Address Pacific City, Missouri, 9th Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. B. in care of Capt. ]Don A.] Carpenter

to William D. Tebay