Our march from Alton was south 15 ms this was on last Tuesday, the next day I went with a foraging party, about 8 ms on our way back we were fired on by 2 or 3 sculking gurillas from a hill & timber.  We were in the rear as Red guard under command of a Lieut.  We Jerked up our guns to fire, he ordered us not to fire I was the only one that fired.  I aimed at the brush they went behind, & I intend to fire on all such sneaks irrespective of orders, from this on, we came in all safe the same evening the whole Division came past our camp both Gen Bentons & Davidsons with all the artilery, Baggage wagons & all the next morning at daylight they commenced going back past our (23d Iowa) camp & bore North West to this place something over 20 ms. & now right here I wish to show you how inconsistent "great men" may sometimes be.  At Vanburen we had out from 8 to 1200 men as Pickets.  A Alton there were From our Division 586 & from Gen Bentons enough to make 1300 pickets, each 24 hours.  The chain of pickets was generally from 10 - 15 ms in circumference.  Then on last Tuesday to start the 23d right off south 15 ms. without any artilery, all alone & then the next day we went foraging & were within 30 or 40 Rods of the Arkansas line how inconsistant.  I there was, a necesity for keeping out such a strong picket force at Vanburen & Alton, why risk the 23 away off by itself, well thank the fortunes of war we are now Brigaded with the 21 & 22 Iowa under Gen Fitz Henry Warren
