The Van Buren press., 1861-08-07
From Camp--Crawford Artillery.
CAMP, CRAwFoRD ARTILLERy,l
July 30th, 1861.

FRIEND DUNHAM
! It is a little after 3 O'Clock, q m.-drums are
beating and bugles sounding the reveille all
through the grove for mile around. The neigh
| ing of thousands of horses aud the loud hum OF
thousands Of voices denote that considerable ar
my is gathered together here. We are encamped
about = miles north Of Keatsville, No. and about
60 miles from Springfield. where we expect to be
this week to pay our respects to the Dutch. We
had an easy march from Camp Walker. passing
| through Bentonville, where met a number of
Van Buren, ladies, on their way home. 1t was there
that We received the news of the glorious victory
at Manassas. We reached Camp Stephens Sat
urday and joined our Regiment. the Sd. Col. Ora
tiot, to which we had been transferred, and the
Regiment was ordered to move Sunday We got but
brief respite from marching. Gen. McCulloch,
under whose command thank God we now are has
been running all the country in advance of his
army and is now here. The troops here the Sd
and 5th Regiments of infantry, Churchill's Regi-
ment of cavalry and 900 or 1900 of infantry and
cavalry, under lMcCrea, Embrys battalion, Walk
ers regiment the 4th of infantry and Carrolls reg
ment Of cavalry, De said to be just in and
also Woodruff's battalion OF Artillery. The Loui
siana regiment left here this morning accompanied
by Reed 3 battery and are about miles off We ex-
poet the Texas regiment in two or three days, and
the Chocsaw regimeaf aIso- ftese troops number
ing or 10000 are Within supporting distance of
each other. and think will in conjunction with
Price and Rains be at lie oswcep all opposition be-
fore them. We are filed with the utmost confid-
ence in our success, and the universal sentiment
seems to be to 60 to st. Louis and relieve Missouri
from her oppressors, to fight to the last in the
attempt We had hoped that the 10000 Hessians
at Springfield would make a stand there, but We
hear that they have fled northward. cannot tell
how much credit the report is entitled to, but this
morning the effective force is taken in every COM
pany by order of Gen. McCulloch, for some pur-
pose, and think it is indicative of fight soon
OF our gallant little band of 50, every man, is
ported effective and ready for action although two
or three not able to do much work.
CAMP NEAR CAssvILLE, July 81.
l was interrupted, yesterday morning, in my let
ter writing and therefore, failed to get it of by
the messenger to Fayetteville. They have walked
us rather early, this morning, it being but q few
minutes after 2. We marched, yesterday. only 8
or 10 miles, being now about mile north Of Cass-
yille and IS miles from the Dutch who are said to
be throwing up some pretty strong works this side
of Springfield, which will have to take. The
fun will soon begin, and some of our boys, who
crazy for fight, will get taste of the elk
ir which may cool their ardor think sober, hon
est bravery the best and most reliable, and hope
the fierce impetuosity which l know Arkansians
will display, will not cost them much. But no
matter what it costs. all equally determined
to follow Ben McCulloch to his winter quarters,
which he announces will be in either Heaven, He'll
Or st. Louis. That thing is perfectly settled-de-
pend upon it. Llncolnites are plenty hereabouts.
| and hope McCulloch will be careful not to leave
too many Of them in the rear. But it is amusing
and sometimes affecting to witness the demonstra-
tions Of the trueheared people, who have sacrifc-
ed their property, and risked their lives for their
beloved South Many farms look much neglected
and overgrown with weeds. The people look dis
pirited, and quite chop fallen, as if they were
ashamed of themselves in our presence. One poor
woman, passed through Cassyille, seemed
perfectly wild with Joy, crying and jestculating
and blessing the brave Arkansas boys, who had
come to rescue them from the tyrant's grasp.
t" Thank GOO :" said she, - husbands can now re-
turn to their wives" One little fellow was perch
ed u horse block, and hurrahng for % General
Curly" and another who could barely lisp, hur-
rahing for JEFF Davis and 50 damn old Linkum'
Our captain too. is the subject of universal ad-
miration and remark pass along. His ma
jestie proportions engage the attention. and win
the admiration of all beholders. One fellow pro
nounced him a regular whale, when he was infor-
med, by ID Lieutenant that We were all whales
l am under great obligations to you for the pa
pers and slips you have SO kindly sent, and as
sure You We all appreciate your thoughtful atten-
tion in this respect. Well, it is breakfast
time, and as We have long and tedious march
l6 miles-before us. to-day, will try to get lit
tie rest. There is no telling when 1 will write
again perhaps from Springfield. perhaps-never.
Respectfully yours
PRIVATE