Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-11-22
BENTON BARRACKS.
ST. Louis. Nov. 20,

DEAR JouRNAL:-Here we are At last, in
stalled in Uncle Sans family of the Vest
We arrived here last night about o'clock
and under pelting rain we marched dis
lance of miles before we reached the quar-
ters assigned US. We were heartily welcomed
by the Iowa volunteers, and Captains Reed
and Littler done much to ameliorate our con-
dition. After partaking of hearty supper
we went around to see the boys of the 9TH.
Some we knew, others were strangers, but
they were all from Iowa, and We felt proud
of them. ID -h $50
Capt. Reed has furnished me with com.
plete list of the killed, wounded and missing
of his company. I shall enclose said list in
this letter, and you can give publication to
it in such place as you deem proper. Lieut..
de Heus, whenlas heard from, was quite low.
understand, however, that there is some
hope Of his recovery. As near as have been
able to ascertain, his wound was much the
same as that Of Lorbier's, of the Iowa LIST.
With good treatment and careful nursing he
will doubtless get well. Capt. Reed speaks
in the highest terms of Ed Hill, and says that
he behaved nobly. He seems to regret very
muce Eds misfortune. The prisoners are
now confined at Memphis, Tenn, and it is
believed that they will be released on parol,
if they will accept secession terms, which l
think is very doubtful, If may judge the
prisoners by the balance of the boys who par
ticipated in that most unfort innate skirmish.
There is bat little excitement here. Hun
ter's army is expected this week. There are
now about 1000 troops quartered at Benton
Barracks. have no idea that we will win
ter here. It is apparent that q grand move
will soon be made down the river. The fate
of Columbus will ere long be told, and with
how many sad hearts no one can conjecture, for
many noble men must perish in accomplish
ing the destruction of this great Southern
stronghold. ~ s" .hi
This morning detachment of cavalry left
here for Charleston, Mo. Their mission un-
derstand is to break up a camp 900 seces-
sionists. The detachment was detailed from
tht Sd Iowa, and they seemed well provided
for the work assigned them. We will prob
ably hear from them in day or two.
- learn that there is but little sickness here
The boys Of Iowa in particular seem to en-
joy good health. ..4. tan 81
To-day we are bus;ly engaged in preparing
our quarters, procuring straw for bedding, &c.
Things here are much more handy than they
were at camp Mcclellan. The drill ground is
beautiful. Last night it was nearly inunda-
ted by the rain which fell during the day, but
this morning it is quite dry, and one may
promenade without encountering much mud.
The soil is much the same as that of Musca-
catine Island, absorbing the rain nearly rs
fast as it falls. We are located considerable
distance from the busy portion of the city
Four passes are given each camp per day. We
were allowed but three at camp Mcclellan. So
you will sec that we are granted little more
privilege here than we were there. Business
in town is getting to be quite brisk, and St.
Louis seems more like St Louis than she did
when / was here last summer.
noticed great many gun boats building
at the boat yard. Some were nearly compile
ted. presume that they will be brought in
to action soon. They seem to be well calcu-
lated to resist the pressure of . cannon ball,
and think that our secesh friends win find
it quite difficult to keep them back when once
got in motion. S -1s s'yoF ii