The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-12-21
FHeH HENToN BARRACKS.
CAMP BENTON, ST. Louisa
December 10Th, 1861.

in the camp, and certainly nothing couie
be better planned for our own comfort
! 1t doesn't take ''braye soger boy" lons
| to find out that the fun of defending one 4
native soil" depends considerably on The
kind of soil, Camp Benton, in muddy
time, is rather trying on ones patriotism
Yesterday we had another Sunday
again. Except the regimental inspection Of
our cavalry and Col Warren's, there was
nothing that the most plous, proper Sun.
day could object to. This regimental in
spcction, | suppose, is for the satisfaction
of the officers generally, the Colonel par
ticularly, and is conducted after the man
ner of inspections, the commanding officer
acting as Inspector General. 1t occupied
some two hours, and gave us all fine
opportunity to display Uncle Sans tailor
ing and our effects generally and take a
good look at our handsome Colonel
There's nothing like making big show
when you can, and though all we Iowa
BOYS have weakness that way, | don I
think it is quite SO constitutional with our
regiment as it is with the lst Cavalry
chaps. Just bet your life, if you see a
lone battalion lying around loose anywhere,
with biz brass band footing away 1.-THE
head of it, long-legged Colonel on one
side, a long legged Lieut.. Colonel on
tother side, long-legged Adjutant. in
front, and long-legged Major in the
rear-bet your life that's the lst Iowa
Cavalry.
Brother lngals held service Yesterday IN
the Amphitheatre over the Fair Grounds.
There was quite large attendance, and
our Chaplain discoursed in his best style
He is very much liked in the regiment
and out of it. and seems to be the most
popular preacher in the camp. The am-
phitheutre is admirably suited for such a
purpose rather large than otherwise
and for me- must confess, II has it- as
sociatlons, not exactly OF an orthodox
character, either. 10 be sure, the old
ring is a sad chaos Of mud aud rubbish,
and the graceful little pagoda more like
a pigeon house than the enchanted castle
which the silver band once made SO celes-
tial with their ,harmonies, and the wise
old Judges ~ terrestrial with their Judy
ments. Still, for all that, couldn't help
reyerting in my own mind to the days OF
its former splendor, when Ethan Allen
and "Flora Temple were subjects eff
greater interest than jeff. Davis or John
Bull ever promised to be.
Since my letter of the 10th inst, an
order to march struck quite near home.
The Cd battalion of our regiment, Major
Caldwell's command, left here for Jeiier-
son City on Thursday last, with ten days
rations The 18th Iowa, Col Croker,
and Birgc's Sharp Shooters, started at the
same time, for the same location, | be-
lieye The latest news from our boys,
received last evening, report them still on
the move from Jefferson City, and | ex-
pect the next time we hear of them, they II
be sleeping ON their arms after themost
approved style Of the Grand Army of the
Potomac We hated prodigiousiy to see
our regiment separated so early in the
fight, blu, there's latent hope with US all
think, that we may soon be sent to join
our wandering battalion
/ The Court Martial as yet dou't seem te
amount TO very much. 1t keeps some o
our best officers off duty, and intrudes en-.
tirely too much "red tape upon the mil
itary tenor Of our ways. A week ago the
Court began, but, up 10 date, nobody:
hurt =
Still they go The lst Iowa Cayalr,
have just received orders to march in the
course of tire next Iwenty-four hours -
Several Infantry regiments have received
similar orders, but further particulars ar.
not yet known. the orders having been is.
sued this afternoon
We were quite delighted yesterday to
welcome our brave friend Col. PARROT -
He is looking remarkably well for mar
who has been through the wars, and the
warm reception he receives everywhere is
sufficient proof that his gallant conduct
in the Belmont battle will not soon b
/ forgotten. kAP.
i Movement In Contemplation.
The q .parn,,,npf IA, NC. .,,t na1i,, 4 .....