The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-09-04
McGregor Iowa, August 3lst, 1861.
Army correspondence.


LIST Reg. Iowa Cavalry, Aug. 26, 81.
EDS. TINES: II appear to you to-day in
order to show you, and those interested in
the Union Rangers, what we have done,
and are now doing. We arrived here Sat-
uIdry the 10th inst, after very pleasant
trip on board the Canada, nothing occurring
to make the passage unpleasant except the
low stage Of water, on which account we
were obliged to disembark and go on horse
back around the rapids, a distance of eigh-
teen miles.
Immediately after arriving here, we we're
conducted to Camp Warren, situated about
one mile from the city, in beautiful grove
dotted here and there with massive oaks
and hickories. The place had been recently
occupied by the cavalry, which at this time
were in Keokuk, and subsequently were
ordered to return here. We selected the
most comfortable place for camp, and
commenced building shanties for ourselves
and managers for our horses, which was
done in very short time, and in tin TOP
style. The next thing in order, it being
near night, was to look out for the inner
man, and some were wondering where our
supper was coming from, but it was very
soon explained by market wagon driven in
laden with beef, bread, coffee, ETC., sufficient
rations for the company one day, also our
utensils for cooking and table ware, which
consisted of one large camp kettle for each
eight men, and for each, tin plate, knife
and fork, and pint cup.
After refreshing the inner man, and TAX
ing care of the stock, and several yarns had
been spun Gas is the custom in camp life, J
we retired to our quarters, except those de-
tailed on guard, and passed the night as
pleasantly as could be expected, with straw
for bed, and our saddles for pillows. On
sa 'day we paid visit to the flying artillery
located about one mile from our camp. and
more jovial lot Of fellows it has never
been my lot to meet. They were partaking
of supper at the time, but, ..-......ss
"At once there rose so wild a YELL (
As all the iends from Heaven that fell
Had rea'ed the banner cry Of he'll,
and they raised a perfect howl for coffee.
We very soon understood it, as we saw
their cups filled with water.
The regiment which had been ordered to
keoknk, commenced returning in squads on
Tuesday, and ere Thursday, were again en-
sconccd in Camp Warren. We then mum
bered ten companies. At this time our lib
crty was taken from US, by guards being
thrown around our camp, and no one allowed
to go out without pass from the Captain,
as much as to say that we could not take
care of ourselves. They think great deal
of a man here, and non compliance with
the above rule, gives fellow a nice COM
Portable bed of straw in shanty, with
eight or ten "sogers'' around it day and
night with wooden guns and swords, for
fear that some one might harm him. Clev.
er folks here tell you; act very strange
about some things, but they say it is the
custom in the army. ....
One thing looks very strange to me, and
it is the manner in which some of our com.
pany have had their names changed. There
is no use of man having name, if he
can get to be an officer, for he has to be
baptized over, as Captain, Lieutenant, Or
derby Sergeant, Quartermaster, Corporal, or
something else. would not change mine,
and therefore have no office. For fear some
of your readers may not understand these
different titles, l will explain some of them
to the best of my ability, commencing with
the Orderly Sergeant, Qor brief called Or
derly.) Almost every one would suppose
him to be very quiet man, and one to keep
order, but he makes more confusion around
our camp than any other five in the compa-
ny. lie commences his noise about five
o'clock in the notwithstanding around
with paper about one yard Or less on
length, with every mans name on which he
calls roll, (but never saw him have it
rolled up YETI and sings out, "get xp, boys,
and get in ranks, or you go on extra duty"
thing very much dreaded by all, and there
we must stand until he calls over his roll,
and: every one must know that it makes
more or less confusion, and Mr.. Orderly is
the cause of it all. dare say there would
not be ten out Of the whole company maxi
ing any noise that early in the morning
were it not for him. Next in order is feed.
ing our horses, and getting our breakfast
ready, when again Mr.. Orderly sings out.
saddle up your horse for water" which
command has to be obcyed, and away we
go about one mile through dust more thick
than imagine we will ever see smoke from
gun powder. Imagine for one moment
eight or nine hundred horses passing thro'
Main ST., McGregor, when there has been
no rain for three or six months, and your
street sprinkler smashed up in the mean
time, and you can form a faint idea of this
water call. At O'Clock comes drill, and
again he calls out, ''get in ranks, eyes right"
Gust as if our eyes got wrong on pop beer
and sweet cider, the only intoxicating drink
to be got in camp "dress up" etc, etc.
Do not understand that we come out in the
nude state; We are already dressed up, and
| for one, have been no other way, and
nearly all will vouch the same since we
left McGregor, but it means to touch elbows
to the "sogers" OH either side; q custom in
the army.
And now for the Quartermaster. He q
whole man not a quarter if his name is. 1t
is his duty to quarter the rations to the