Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-06-03
OUR VAR COKREsPONDENcE.

In CAnr. Nay 81. 1891.
DEAs DIX :-It i moot singular that ve re-
esivs no ,,apsrs through the mail. ind that ws
n.us. depend on The kindness Of visitors fol
ome rsws. There is some grcss neglect
some where; somebody must be to blame
containing my last, although Mr.. Altman. whe
10 now ono Of ours, brought one down with
him. What 10 one paper amcng hundreds ci
hungry +sadersf No more than pound ol
bread to . regiment Your readers and my
friends will see by this letter that an not
eead yet, street rumors and the Gazette to tbs
contrary Notwithstanding. l really am mol
aware Of any such gross misconduct on my
part which could have induced the cid gran
nies in our town to kill me by report. TheiI
only motive seems to have been 70 create .
sensation. On account Of . Gearth Of ioca
news, they seek to kill poor me at distance
Those dslsctable newsmongers Of your city
ought to have waited till they heard Of the
death Of Col Ellsworth, and then your humble
correspondent might have escaped with bis
life The news Of Col. Ellsvorth's assassina
ton vas heard by the First Regiment With sad
hearts Every soldier knew him by reputation
We al felt that the glorious csuss in which We
are engaged had lost its bravest yonsg cham
pion. A gloom spread like gloom Of death
over our minds, aud our usual high spirit,
we're checked by sadness when W thought Of
the brave young warrior who died BY an IS
sassin's hand whilst tearing down the insigni-
of rebellion.
Tuesday last seven Of our companies were
ordered into camp. Az We marched of to tn,
camp ground, with our blankets strapped
around us. our havsrsacks, cups and pans +. J
our side, and muskets on our shoulders, ou,
German boys struck up their inspiring nation
al songs, notwithstanding the rain that cot
menced to pour down on u.s. When We ar
rived on the ground, oar tents, on account d
the heavy winds, we're lying fiat on The
ground. We went to work to raise them
What day it was! The elements seemed en-
gagged in open war with US. The food gate.
Of heaven were opened and torrents poured OF
our heads The wind blew in 6tfal gusts
causing the rain drops to penetrate to our very
marrow. About l2 o'clock We got our tent:
struck, some containing six men. but most o
them having to hsrhor seven. We got good
prairie hay to ito them. which renders
our lodging tole.-. !, comfortable. On &C
count of the Tequis,tions for grub not having
been handed in proper time, we had to march
into town for dinner. Some Of the boys, how
ever, preferred going without food to march
ing in the drenching rain.
Evening came. and we went over to the
Quartermsster's Headquarters and obtained
part of our rations, camp kettles, mess pans
knives aud forks, etc. There saw our friend
Guelich. filing the duties Of his Office At
Quartermaster, weighing bread and meat. and
spportioning the various cooking utensils to
the different companies. Every day sho vs.
the wiedon Of Col Bates appointment any
other man but Lieut.. Gnelich. under the pres
ent existing circumstances, would have made
failure in the performance Of his important
duties. The majority are satished with him,
although there is grumbling minority, who
perchance are dissatisfied with the nomination
of German. The rain still kept pouring
down, and supperless we went TO bed. To-
wards morning the weather turned verv chilly
our wet clothes did rot help Us to keep warm,
and the one blanket. the only covering most OF
us possess, Was insufficient to restore warmth
to our bodies. At sunrise the 6res were light
ed, aud like bees from : hive. ws swarmed
from our tents and held our chilled limbs to
the grsteful heat. The order wss given to
''fall in to breakfast. Soldiers fare We had in
the true sense Of the word. Cold fat siding
and bakers bread formed our first camp meal
some Of the boys INDUCED 10 the luxury oi
cooking their meat. and. cutting long sticks.
spiked their bacon, and toasted the same be-
fore the craekling FIRE. Cold water washed
down the hearty mea: and W went to drill.
Ths heavens we're more propitious, morn
ing sun shed its cheering rays through th .
gloomy sky. and soon the blue azure took the
place Of the lssdsn clouds. A squad again re.
sorted te the Quartsrmaster's Department and
brought into camp coffee. beans and sugar.
Our cooks were chosen. two men veil vsrsed
in the culinary art; one Of them. tho ehsf de
cuisine, having served bis time in the Hungsr-
ian war his name 10 Kellssmaa. Your cor.
respondent had 70 be excused from duty; IN.
sccustomsd to sleepiog IN vet slethss, hs
caught assvers cold. ! sas BY the camp fire,
watching the Preparations for cooking the
noon meal. and admired the ingenuity Of our
cock 10 preparing soup from the ssasty me-.
terisls It hasd. Bean soup with fat bacon
and sslt. makes tip-top posesh for hungry
men, although do net think Mrs. Lsslie makes
mention Of the same 10 her celebrated book on
cooking.
In tho afternoon could not hold up any
longer. and Dr. Rsichsnbach. who is staying
With a. st the camp. ssat ne to the hospital.
A gentleman Of Keokuk kindly drove me into
town. and here an still in The hospital, undss
the care Of DR.. White. Owing - his jsdieious
trsatnsst sad rsally tsadsr esrs. l an getting
on ny lsgs aeain, ssd this sveniag viii =
tuss . she ssap. D. Whits deserves vsll q
esr reginsst; his ssrs = sarsaitssd night
e.d 1ay, hs ; ~ : ia1h@ - - fnily; -
81 = 15A 80 sA@A~Es