The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1861-09-26
Our 3rmg Correspondence

BENTON BARRACKS, Sept. II, 'G1. I
EDIToR NEws-Dear Sir:-As many
Of my friends in old Highland would
like to hear from me, as we'll as what is
going on in this vicinity, you will par.
don me for asking a donation Of q lin
tied space in your paper in order to
give the public q small idea Of what
preparations are being made to meet
the rebels here.
In the frst place, "Bonton Barracks "
is situated in the rear of the Fair
Grounds, near the outskirts and north
Of tho City, on beautiful low ground
containing some four or FIVE hundred
acres. Eight rows of substantial wood
en- buildings, extend on a line a distance
of at least a mile each. These are
whitewashed, and present a beautiful
appearance The buildings are divid-
ed into apartments, each of which is
supplied with comfortable quarters for
companies and company officers. The
.regimental sections are separated by
streets. In the rear Of each apartm
is cook house and dining room. On
the extreme right is the regimontal
quarters, which are we'll situated and
adapted to comfort. In front of and
near these quarters is a splendid man.
sion, which is occupied by Brig Gen.
Curtis, commander Of the post. The
parade grounds extend the length of
the buildings, and arc in width about a
quarter Ofu mile. During the past three
or four days wo have had excessive
rains, which have rendered it very disa.
greeable under foot; but two days of
hot sun will soon "dry up" tho mud.
There are now in Barracks, some ten
thousand troops, infantry and cavalry
Regiments are coming in and going
out daily, so that it is difficult to osti.
nate our number accurately. Two
regiments from Iowa arrived tonight,
and three more nro expected tomorrow
By computing the numbers in vari-
Gus camps, l have no doubt but that VIC
have in and about st. Louis some 40,
600 troops, almost all of whom are well
drilled.
Col. Tottsn's battery, which did such
effective service in the battle of Spring
field, on the 18th of last month, is en-
camped on our left.
Benton Barracks was inaugurated to-
day, and the troops reviewed by Maj.
Gen. Fremont. The affair was the
most imposing 1 ever witnessed Some
$4,000 persons we're present, After the
review Gen. Fremont was escorted to
a prominent stand, where all had good
view Of his noble and manly person.
Then was hoisted the Stars aud Stripes
over headquarters, when three cheers
rent the air mid booming of cannon
and beating of drums. Three more
we're given for Major Gen. Fremont,
with a hearty good will, after which the
ceremonies ended. ..
WOrkmen are engaged night and day
in building forts around the city. 1t
would surprise those unaccustomcd to
war, to see with what rapidity the work
progresses.
AS general thing every thing is
quiet in Missouri, the rebels having
been frightened by the great pouring
in of Union troops 1t was rumored
that several thousand Secession troops
we're oncampod near St. Charles. If
such was the fact, they struck tents and
vamosod; for when the 9th and seth
Ohio arrived at that point "Secesh'
was "playOd out"-not one could be
found.
Col. g. Ellis Cavalry-1st Missouri,
is tho finest body of meu ever saw
The Regiment is composed of
twelve companies, and furnished with
splendid horses, They are to be equip,
ped with oarbines, Colts revolvors, aud
sabres, Col. Ellis aud LIT. Col Lewis
are both men Of military experience
and have the confidence of those under
their command.
The greatest excitement existing at
present, is oocasionod by the rumored
removal of Mai, Gen. Fremont, That
he is the pride of the West is IN uudis-
putod fact, and ifho is superseded, there
is no telling the consequences, The
course Of Col, Frank Blair, Jr, is great.
y condemned. In fact, I havo heard
but one man speak favorably of him.
As / presume you are aware, he is now
under arrest upon a charge of iusubor-
dination. He will be court.martialed
in fOw days, at which time i is assert
ed many things will leak out. AS Gen.
Fremont is gaining Friends and admir-.
ers every day, 1 do not apprehend tho
least fears of hisromoval. ...r. ...
Well fearing that am consuming
too much Of your time, Twill conclude