Salem, had several sharp skirmishes in that vicinity, finally rejoined the regiment and in the absence of Colonel Bussey on other duties took command of the Third. The command remained in that city several months, and was sent on frequent expeditions into the interior. Early in November Major Drake resigned on account of failing health and returned to his home where he soon after died. He was a brave and accomplished officer and his death was a severed loss to the regiment. Adjutant John W. Noble was promoted to fill the vacancy. During the stay at Helena the Third Regiment was engaged in two important expeditions. One was the attempt of the army under General Hovey to capture Arkansas Post, which was unsuccessful. Colonel Bussey had command of 2,000 cavalry in this affair and in the march to Grenada, under General Washburn, the cavalry destroyed the railroad, encountered the enemy, the Third Iowa losing four men captured. Colonel Bussey was now assigned to the command of the Second Brigade of the Second Division of Cavalry of the Army of the Tennessee. The Third Iowa Cavalry was in this brigade under command of Major Scott, Major Noble commanding a battalion. On the 21st of April Major Noble in command of the regiment encountered a detachment of the enemy and a week later near Big Creek met another party both of which were defeated. During the month of May detachments of the regiment engaged in frequent skirmishes in the vicinity of Helena. In June Colonel Bussey was ordered to join General Grant’s army then engaged in his Vicksburg campaign. His regiment was assigned to General Sherman’s command on the line of the Big Black River. He was placed in command of the cavalry which was kept busily employed until the surrender of Pemberton. Soon after the close of this campaign Major Noble took command of the Third Iowa in place of Major Scott who had resigned. After the two detachments of the regiment were again united at Little Rock, Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell took command and Ma-
