boots and saddles,' and in five minutes we were 'all saddled, all bridled and fit for a fight,' and were under way for the battle-field, which, by the rapid roar of the cannon, fully warned us that the battle had opened in real earnest. Arriving there, we were drawn up in line and waited for orders, and there we stood while cannon balls and shells played havoc among us, expecting each moment would be our last. We were in fine view and made a conspicuous mark, and you had better believe they improved it; they had four batteries of four guns each, and two of six, while we had only one of six and that unsupported by infantry, and that was obliged to fall back when the rebels advanced theirs and formed in open field. Then was our time; our line was formed, and we were ready and getting impatient to either get out or in, for there is nothing that tires a man like standing under fire doing nothing. But presently the word 'draw sabre' came, and out they flashed in an instant; 'Forward, charge !' rang out next, and in a moment more the Second Iowa went into it, 'neck or nothing,' with those twenty-eight guns in front and thousands of infantry on each side pouring death among us with very rapid volleys. We entered in line, but before we had gone far, Company B led the van, and such a shout as they set up you never heard, I will bet. I had not got a hundred yards before I had jumped my horse over more than a dozen dead horses and men, but I knew he was sure-footed and I gave him the spur, and on he went like a streak, while I held a firm grip to my butter-knife, and thought of the blood of one spilled on Pittsburg battle-ground, and those that are held prisoners by these vile hellhounds. Well, we made them get out of that, and quick, too, but our loss was quite severe-sixty men and one hundred horses from the regiment. Walker is among the missing. Freeman, J. S. Brush, Daniel Craft, Claud Brock are wounded. John Williams was killed in a skirmish that we had on the 8th, and Johny Burg wounded. Bill Paxton was killed in a skirmish we had about two weeks ago. There are quite a number at home on a furlough. * * * We are bound to give it to Sesesh ' here at Corinth, and that I believe will be the last hard battle of this war. I don't think they can hold out much longer; they are about played out, and will soon have to acknowledge Uncle's' capability to take care of the affairs of his extensive farm without any dividing line between the cotton-field and corn-field." " Uncle" had several Corinths to pass through, however, after May, 1862.
Such letters had a powerful influence on public feeling at home. It even blazed forth in advertising head lines: " No Compromise with Rebels, at the Hoosier Store! " " Chicago not taken by the Rebels, but by Otis Briggs, Druggist, etc!"
A call was made, also, for a public meeting for August 5 (1862), by E. G. Day, J. H. Talbott and W. S. Garrett, at which a Soldiers' Aid Society was organized. The society passed through various experiences, but did much good.
A letter from Benton Barracks, St. Louis, dated July 26, 1862, by J. A. Fitzpatrick, presents another phase of service: " Affairs present rather a poor aspect at present for the Union cause. It seems that the tide has turned in favor of the enemy, but it is no time for us to doubt the holiness of our cause, or the success of our arms-let not the free sons of the North falter one moment on account of our reverses, but let it be a stimulant to hasten them to action. The President calls for 300,000 men; they are needed, and if they do not voluntarily come to the standard, they will be drafted, so I think every young man in the