The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-07-03

terrain any propositions for peace till the re-
bellipn is entirely subhiet
I Correspondence OF the Courier.
I From the Camp.
CAMP LYON, ST. Joseph Mo-, June %, 81.
Mr. EDITOR II date this epistle to you as
above, while in fact we are IL miles from
camp. on Friday last, Company K. were
detailed,to relieve Captain, Bakers Company
from guard at . bridge IL miles east Of St.
Jo. The first night the entire company
camped in the open air, with one half Of
Capt. Bakers command, when we had our
full experience trying to sleep on the ground
with no shelter but one Blanket. | need
hardly say to you, who have knowledge Of
the characteristics of company X, that we
verified, even under such circumstances, the
truth Of the old song, IA soldiers life is
always gay" Individually, entertain a
mental reservation, and, although, somewhat
musicaty and poctirally inclined | claim the
benefit of the doubt
The bridge, at which we arc, stationed, is
at water station, with. span of 100 feet !;
is substantial structure, and if destroyed,
could not be rebuilt at this point under 8 or
weeks. Its Importance will be better un-
derstood when say that over it passes, not
only the subsistence Of our regiment, but
also that of large population west Of u.s.
1t has been threatened 10y the secessionists,
and attempts have been made to- burn it,
Last week party come up in the night for
this purpose, who were fred upoh by the
picket guards, and the Captain dangerously
wounded. Since that time no further at
tempss have been made. We notice howev-
: err, spies around every day. What their
further purpose may be, we do not know
1t is our duty for the present to protect it.
If attacked, Company X, propose to "put
in their best licks" There is another bridge
one mile west of this Also in our charge, IN
der command of Lieut.. Hawley with 40 men.
The '.pony squad' will give good account of
themselves if opportunity offers. Lieut..
Eaton is now absent on furlough FORA weeks.
His friends in Wapello will be glad to see
him. While his absence from camp is re-
GREETED by all, from the Colonel, with whom
the Lieut.. is great favorite, to the humblest
private, but by none more than your hum
BILE servant. II this should meet his eye, he
may be assured that the "racuum' produced
by his absence, is upon the purely scientific
principles as explained by him in camp, the
day before he left
Company K were ordered out on last
Sunday night in company with Capt. Steele
Of the U. s. Regulars, to arrest some leading
secessionists, supposed 10 be in possession
of arms and ammunition, who are also off,
oers Of Rebel company. We succeeded in
arresting them, who were marched into camp
and put under guard. During the week
they were admitted to bail in the sum of
$25 900 to stand trial for treason at st. Louis,
at the next term Of court These are all the
duties Company K. have had assigned to
them. Honorable trust, but not quite up
to the expectations of the Boys, who are
"spiling for fight"
From present appearances there is but
little fusther to do in this region. Secession
principles are getting rather unpopular, while
Union men are in better spirits and seem re-
; assured. The Stars and Stripes are agair
floating over the Post Office in st. Jo., and
upon other places. A hope is entertained
that Missouri will yet be purged Of he1
treason.
JUNE %. To show you how changing and
eventful is the life Of soldier, need only
7 state that while scribbling the last line above
an express train came along with orders II
our company to board the cars and re!iev'
a post still further east, at Grand Rive ~;
miles from St, 10. Asking no questions, w
obeyed, and on this glorious morning we arr
guarding Bridge in company with two othe
commands, making in all force of 800 men
Information was received from a spy sen
out yesterday, that camp of Secessionist
5000 strong at Lexington had broken up
and parties Of them were making for thi.
point. About 200 were known to be within
8 or miles OF us last evening. Our camI
was much excited, eager for the fray. Oul
guards and pckets were doubl ed, and every
thing in readiness. At eleven O'clock a
night, guard fred upon couple of men
supposed to be spies, and Immediately ever,
man ip camp aroused and were in line.-
For an hour we stood by our arms, prepared
for "scrimmage," but the rebels did no
CONE. A good nights rest, with one ey,
open, upon the damp ground as usual
followed
/ Grand river is very respectable ittl'
river in size, Of no great importance, onl,
that it requires bridge Of 2 or hundred
feet span and very respectable body o
Iowa troops to guard it. This partic lla
kind Of military duty, while have due APP
probation of its importance, at the same tim
, have very great dislike for. I'll tell yo,
why. have an instructive hatred for al
, out of way places, where screech owls, trc
toads, copperheads and mosquitoes do con
oregate where the ground is too low AM