The Van Buren press., 1861-06-19
Letter from the Camp.
CANT WALKER, June 9 1861.

DEAR DCNHAM: L presume lew iteLhs from
&c Camp would not be unwelcolne to yorr readers
G. pecially when most of the news will concern the
:. Frontier Guards company endeared to your
citizens by every tie Of blood and friendship. In
troductcry to my letter, allow me. in the name of
our company, to express our sense of the lasting
OBLIGATIONS under which to the ladies' of
Van Buren and vicinity for their untiring zeal in
us for campaign, and to assure them
and all our friends that tie recollection of this will
nerve our hands and inspire our hearts to do good
battle for the glorious cause in which we have EN-
barked. We would also express our many, many
thanks to the citizens of Van Buren,, generally, for
their magnanimous efforts to facilitate our move
ments and render comfortable as possible
These shall not be forgotten by our brave boys
Now to my letter proper.
After leaving our camp at Mr.. james Browns,
we made our march. in good time, without an acci-
dent or incident worthy of note. The boys stood
the walking much better than anticipated. -
Camp I'd was at divers. on Lea's Greek. When
the company arrived there, they found the citizens
had not been unmindful of the " inner man."
amidst all the excitement and grief of departure.
We were cordially received and invited to partake
of splendid dinner (being supper to u.s. Our
bv ability, good taste, aud proper patriotic feel
ing for our cause The following morning, ..-l2h!-
and early all astr. and booked forward to the
toughest part of trip Boston Mountain and
here We had practical demonstration of the fact
that men in good spirits and health can surmount
difficulties with ease, that seem almost nsurmount
able. We passed up those rugged heights without
a single complaint, and in fine humor pitched our
tents at Camp Sd, being Mr.. Strickler's, on the
mountain. Nothing unusual occurred. At day
light all were up, and breakfast over resu
med our march. Hating during the day, we took
a lunch rested awhile, and again started, reaching
Camp 4th. near sundown, at Cox's, four miles from
Fayetteville. That day We passed small village
bearing the euphonious title " " Hog eye As we
approached the a guide folks" they assembled in
front Of the principal store in the place and greeted
us with hearty cheers, and heavy firing of Arkan
saw artillery, and-whiskey. The cheers made
our hearts swell with patriotic emotions of course
the whiskey-well, it was gauged for thousand
yards After purchasing few necessaries for the
company we left the city. drums beating double
quick-tim up to camp 4th here, was good deal
of touol play-that it is, it play to the boys,
but, perhaps the fowls thought differently. 1t
rained very heavily the night we were at camr 4th
but our tents protected very well. and orr spr-
its not dampened. Next morning we
started, all in great glee, because Fayetteville was
just four mile ahead and all knew tie h,spitalitv
of the people Of that place We wer., of course.
cordially met by the citizens of tlat beautiful place
We arrived there about 10 oclock, and intended re,
naming but short time, but the people of the
place insisted 30 strongly u,,on our departing from
military discipline, Fy Remaining to dinner the
Captain consented, and the men were all divided
off and taken to riv'te houses and treated to fine,
dinners than 'ley }. .ad had for many a day There
was grea' str ife among the citizens, for who
shouiu lake come of the men, aud had moi
enough to fill all the houses, some of course wer,
s'dly d-sapponted in not having member Of
the Company to dine with them. In word we had
In',re offered than could accept. After dinner
dozen wagons were paraded in the main street. and
We invited to take ride. Gladly accepting wer,
taken some SIX or seven miles from town, to Camp
9Th, on I" Clear Crech" We found the ladies Al
Fayetteville as hard at V ork As CDR own, and all
seeIned determined TO do everything in their pow e
to help forward the cause, making tencs. uniform:
ETC. etc. At Camp 5th, struck the flint hill, in
marching over which our men suffered somewha
from sore feet. They. however. complained but lit
tie, and, IN good time we made Camp 9th, at the
residence of Oliver Anderson.
During the day it raned ON US heavily and al
got a good drenching stood it finely however
Also, the same day, passed Usage Mills, the home
| of our General. Next day We made an early start
and had not fairly set off when again down cam,
the rain, and continued until arrived at the
extraordinary spring l saw, called Cav.
Spring The water resembling miniature Mag
ara falling upon the side of the cave and in space
OF twenty or thirty feet, loosing itself again in
mother earth This spring is never failing.
Near 1t is situated meeting house. Here W,
made Camp 7th, it being Saturday. On the follow
ing day We had a short sermon from chaplain
Rev. Mr.. Shaetfer. The congregation compos
ed of our soldiers, and few neighbors who de,nea
ned themselves as well could pr, serving
perfect silence and good Order and giving close at
tentIon to the pious lessons taught by the
We remained in camp during this day. the heavy
rains having rendered the Creek Sparnian impassi
bie On the following day We piloted by
very clever old gentleman by the name o.
who lives on the Creek, to shallow Erd where ".
crossed in good order and without accident. Al
about O'Clock, We made Harmony Springs o n,
and one-halt miles from head quarters. Here v,
halted, and our Captain proceeded to head quartei
to report He found Capt. Gratiot, of the - Hemp
stead rifles" in command, by whom he was permit
ted to camp at or near the Springs If he chose w,
accordingly pitched our tents in . wood about one
quarter Of mile from the Harmony Spring estab
the institution of the society of vegetarians the,
call 1t the Harmonial Society" It is, and has
been for some time broken up.
Our head quarters are situated the highest and
most commanding Point in Beatie's Prairie. 1t i,
unfortunately some distance from wood and water
1t Is the intention Of the General to have wells
sunk inside the encampment, and provide tn,
camp as well with wood as he possibly can Eve
rythlng is being done to promote comfort in camp
There arc, at present, seven companies in camp
and all made up of the right material for service
Every one seems anxious for Jim Lane or any of
KIND to come on. We can whip all he can bring
along. and feel as though Camp Walker could dc
| as well - Hampton Roads.
have not the least idea however that Lane in
tends to give US call He is TOO old coon to tr,
bis hsno against men who will do good fighting
Our men get along finely in camp. On Frida,
about three or four O'Clock we enrolled our na,nss iy
the service, and were sworn in for ak months. I
we are needed ut the end Of the time. not many
will turn from their countrys call.
Our trip has been a tolefably pleasant one. W,
have had good deal of rain on us. At Camp ~
We had an awful rain one of our men ayowins
that " two steamboats,, bound for the land .
Dixie had passed through his tent and halle
him." "'e'
We have jolly set Of boys in our compapv
and all get along well together. We have had n,
trouble, whatever. Two or three men are on IN,
sick list none seriously afflicted will be we'll ir
short time Walker Moore of our COMPANY ba.
been appointed Sergeant Major, and Patrick Fit
Williams, eluartermaster's Clerk
write In camp, IL o'clock at night. Every
thing still no sound is heard save the heavy tr,.
of the sentinels, and occasional challenges as tn,
officer of the day approaches to inspect. All ar,
wraPt In the soft embrace of sleep, and doubtIes.