Iowa troops description

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"Many of our recruits never saw a gun before, and are about as competent to be trusted with a loaded firearm, as would be a mule or a half witted jackass. In fact, I regard the danger arising from the carelessness of our own soldiers to be infinitely greater then contained in all the weapons of our enemies in Missouri. If they shoot as many of their enemies during the campaign as they do themselves, they will make themselves immortal from their heroism and daring"

Franc B Wilkie newspaper correspondent for Dubuque Herald and New York Times