Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-11-27

Bssrox BARRACKS, Nov. ~.

| to learn our MYSTERIOUS, u'oP you
few lines. The 18th Regiment arrived
at the leyee in this city last Tuesday,
after tedious trip, Of the particulars q
which YOU have heard.
| At Muscatine we mad dress parade;
at Keokuk, in consequence OF the
crow led condition Of the Jennie Whip
pie and her barges, two companies,
(Cnpts. Marvin and McLoney's) were
tratsierrcd to the steamboat Messeo-
gr. Owing to high wind and the want
| III "kitchen room," the Jennie did not
| re-. ST. Louis until several hours after
a.. Messenger. The former boat tied
a., - let the boys cook their grub,
| when twelve miles above Atom. The
b, IS improved the opportunity to exei-
else !heir limbs by clambering up the
bIaf which at that point were very
steep and high. After couple Of hours
| We ,iarted for St. Louis, not, however,
With all our company, for six or eight OF
the BOYS who had wandered to far of,
could not make the boat in time, and
were left standing on the bluff when ur
steamer had made the middle Of the riv-
er. Owing to the high wind it was
thought best not to turn back, and the
sor,. BOYS we're left to foot it to Alton,
aLd take the cars, or wait tor the pack
ct It was near dark when we got ashore
at ne city, and started for our quarters
at Benton Barracks. We had a march
Of ;bout three miles. and most Of it
through q drcnching rain. The boys,
with their knapsacks, traps and musket,
stood the march well, bnt many Of them
no doubt, like your humble servant,
drought Jordan was hard road to
travel" 1t was muddy marching tell
you.
We were greeted at the Barracks with
warm welcome by the boys ofthc Iowa
"a, whose barracks we were to share.
We were soon IN quarters, and the COM
pants Of the "Old Second" soon had
their camp kettles with hot coffee and a
supply OF bread ready to give Us supper.
Tnis was highly appreciated, tell you,
tyr We had LETT our cooking utensils and
provender at the boat until morning.
We find here any quantity OF Iowa
troops. The Cd, 80 and 7th infantry,
the 81 and pant OF the lst Cavalry. As
Our boys have acquaintance in all of
hem we feel "a, home" already. Yes
cida, We had chance to see the troops
here in their reg imental drill. Crowds
Of ctzens werc present., and We, not be-
ug yet put to work, had q pleasant
tune.
Iowa has reason to be proud Of her
volunteers. The great attraction was the
iowa %. They turned out about $50
men, many Of their men being sick an1
at home recruiting. The ReglmeLt was
commanded by Capt. Bob Llltler of Da-
vcnport, aud from the manner in which
uc put the I'd through their evoluuons,
violently understands his business The
| Regiment formed IN line OF battle from
column OF companies IN srle"did sly 'e,
| then in hollow square, and many other
Gen. Strong, commandment of this
post, and his staff, came upon the pa
rade ground, and Capt. Littler received
HIM with the honois, and put the Reg
lnent through the manual. The boys
handle their muskets in fine style, and
move like clock work. The Companies
we're supplied with blank cartridges, and
Capt Bob gave the large crowd an OPP
portunity to see how the Regiment
could ''load and fire." being formed in
me OF battle, they fired by battalion,
company and files. The Iowa Sd Cav
airy were on the ground, and Col. Bus
sey drew up the Regiment in line with
IN few yards OF the infantry, to accus.
tom the horses to the sound of musket-
ry. AS general thing they stood it
well. The firing OF the I'd was excel.
lent. Gen. Strong ccmpllmented the
boys Of the Cd, and Capt. L., and the
crowd gave them hearty cheers.
As citizen of Iowa l was proud to
hear that the I'd is considered one Of, if
not the best drilled Regiment that has
been qna'tered here. They certainly
| deserve great credit.
Yesterday evening We had our first
dress parade at this place. All our COM
panies turned ont IN full force, and the
parade attracted much attention. Col
Hare was in command, and everything
passed off well. To-day our boys have
been on duty, at least detail from our
regiment Is doing guard duty at the
Barracks. We had cold rain last
night. and the weather to day is quite
winler'sh. As we have not yet Received
our overcoats tho hcys have cold time
o' 1t, aud the PRESUMPTION is that there
will be no sitting down on guard the
boys will have to walk Their "beat" to
keep warm. We expect our overcoals
m day or two. | understand that the
5th and Slh Regiments OF Iowa volnn.
teers will be here IN few days. The
18Th, Coz. trockcr, is now at the levee.
having arrived this afternoon. They viii
probably stay on the boat tonight, aud
march to the Barracks in the morning.
We have comfortable quarters here,