The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-12-14
Army Correspondence.
RrHroN RAnpAcxs Dec 9Th

them upon the ten dollar demand treasury notes.
Army Correspondence.
BENTON Barracks, Dec, 9th, 1861.
DEAR HAWK EYE:-Tbe tattoo has been beat
Tapps have been beaten, and I ought to be in
my blanket; but thoughts of home and desire
to let brother HawkEyes hear from US, prompt
me to violate law in allowing my light to burn SO
late. The Fourteenth Regiment, you are aware,
is divided .one, three companies ihaving gone
early last autumn to Fort Randall. The other
seven rendezvoused at Davenport, and it was said
were destined for Fort Leavenworth. A month
and half ago the regiment was flied and the
boys were anxious to be "off" Weeks passed
by and yet there was no indication OF our going.
A little before midnight Of the 26tb, the loud
hurrabs Of the boys announced to the citizens
Of Davenport that the time of our departure
was at hand. The next day we left Camp Nc.
Clellan. The younger ones we're enthusiastic
for Notwithstanding the assertions of the elder
and more experienced, that this was good and
very likely the best place they would soon see
they had become dissatisfied. From some cause
only three companies went down the river that
day. The others were ordered back to camp to
60 on the foil owing day, by Railroad, to Alton,
thence by steamboat to st. Louis. We arrived
at the latter place on the SOth somewhat ex-
hausted from the want Of sleep and proper food.
From these causes, change Of climate, &c, the
regiment has been quite unhealthy. For sever.
eral days there were from three to eight in each
company confined to their hunks, and almost
one third Of the regiment we're complaining, but
as time progressed are becoming acclimated
and coming out ''all right" Nearly all are well
and all are better.
Benton Barracks are between three and four
miles from the river, and in westerly direction
from the city. Without entering into descrip-
ton OF the place, let me say that the "conven-
fences of life" are here. 1t is regularly laid off
and resembles city more than soldiers en-
campment Scattered over the place at regular
distances, are not wells, but fountains of water,
conducted hero by pipes from the wsterworks Of
the city. There is large washing establish
ment here, worked by an engine and fifty women,
and all who will can have their washing done at
Uncle Sans expense Here, too, is horse car
railroad to carry provender for the horses and
food for the men, Aside from these are some
not SO necessary; perhaps, indeed, the soldier or
the dear ones at home would be better without
them entirely, for they supply him with things
he can we'll do without, and in lieu take the
money. which his family actually needs. Such
are the eating saloons, groceries, Suffers estab-
lishmcnts, &C., &c. .srs
There are between fifteen snd twenty thous-
and men here, but they are being sent to other
places, so that their number will soon be greatly
diminished.
boys being keen for fight; not so with us, how
ever, for like few others, We have nothing to
fight with, nor are there any arms here for US.
save some old Belgian muskets, unfit for service.
The boys are full Of fun; no such thing here
as the 6lues, but acontinued succession of With
cisms and tricks. Well may they be contcnted
for they well fed, well clothed, we'll paid. and
in the service of an uncle who never was whip
ped, though STACKED BY big (John) Bull when
quite alloy.
Yesterday our company (Co. X, Capt Camp.
bell of Kossuth,l expressed wish to 90 outside
the lines, ostensibly to drill, but in reality to
breathe the free air, have romp over tho hills,
and may be ''skirmish" little-not on the enc
my, but on something edible This was readily
granted by our Captain, and away they scamp
cred, reminding one forcibly Of schoolboys on .
holiday. Recall from drill and dinner call