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Mann family papers, 1861-1865
1862-05-12-Page 02
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We have taken a great many contraband horses and mules since we left Springfield our regiment is noted for stealing or jayhawking as they call it I am as much opposed to it as ever I believe in confiscating all property belonging to rebels. but I do not like to see the poor women and children robbed of ever thing they have. this I have seen done by the 4 Iowa Cavalry but I am happy to say Company A. had nothing to do with it. I don't wish you to think the Officers of this regiment are in favor of this kind of work but it has been done by the men: There is a great many union men in this country or at least they say they are union men. the people are generaly very poor: the ladies come into our camp some times. they are the greenest ladies I ever saw. I have often heard of the southern ladies being so refined in their maners. they will not do to compare with the Io ladies. I have seen more pretty girls in one family than I have seen in all southern Mo. and northern Ark. the most of them smoke and chew tobaco. of sundays they usuly wear yaller calices dresses. now you can form your opinion of an Arkansas lady. I will tell you what kind of a country they live in it is a rough stony backwoods country we travel for mils and dont see enough soil to mak a garden. yet there is some good farms here the wheat is all headed out the corn is large enough to plow. I got some pretty pinks yesterday they reminded me of your garden: I suppose you are begining to think by this time that I have forgotten the little girls at Austin as I have not wrote to you for so long a time this is the 4th letter I have written to you and Sallie
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We have taken a great many contraband horses and mules since we left Springfield our regiment is noted for stealing or jayhawking as they call it I am as much opposed to it as ever I believe in confiscating all property belonging to rebels. but I do not like to see the poor women and children robbed of ever thing they have. this I have seen done by the 4 Iowa Cavalry but I am happy to say Company A. had nothing to do with it. I don't wish you to think the Officers of this regiment are in favor of this kind of work but it has been done by the men: There is a great many union men in this country or at least they say they are union men. the people are generaly very poor: the ladies come into our camp some times. they are the greenest ladies I ever saw. I have often heard of the southern ladies being so refined in their maners. they will not do to compare with the Io ladies. I have seen more pretty girls in one family than I have seen in all southern Mo. and northern Ark. the most of them smoke and chew tobaco. of sundays they usuly wear yaller calices dresses. now you can form your opinion of an Arkansas lady. I will tell you what kind of a country they live in it is a rough stony backwoods country we travel for mils and dont see enough soil to mak a garden. yet there is some good farms here the wheat is all headed out the corn is large enough to plow. I got some pretty pinks yesterday they reminded me of your garden: I suppose you are begining to think by this time that I have forgotten the little girls at Austin as I have not wrote to you for so long a time this is the 4th letter I have written to you and Sallie
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