Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-05-31
Notes of Travel.-NO. 4.
VISIT TO CAMP YATES, CAMP DENNIsoN, AND Elk
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN

brief sketch of some of the events that have |
passed under my observation within the last
few days, during my travel East, embracing |
in the route Baltimore, Washington, and Har
per's Ferry. Stopping six hours at Spring
field, visited Camp Yates" where had an
to see something of the formidable
that Illinois is making for the
war. There were $500 men in camp.
counted IS companies drilling at one time on
different parts of the ground. A German
company, from Belleville, seemed to me more
perfect in their drill than any other that saw.
The department was well supplied with fresh
beef of fine quality, hams, pork, potatoes,
bread, &c. A Zouave company, after dis
patching their dinner, employed themselves in
washing their own dishes, and seemed to en-
Joy that kind of recreation. One or two with
whom conversed manifested a most extraor-
binary interest in the scalp of jeff. Davis. l
should think that article would bear high
premium there. The scalp of Mr. Wigfall
and some other of the more prominent seces-
sionists, were also in great demand.
| happened to be seated in the car, from
Fort Wayne to Pittsburgh, by the side of a
secessionist who had been recently travelling
in seven of the Southern States. Said he was
at Charleston the day after the bombardment
of Sumter, and that no one was killed. lie
said could not imagine the enthusiasm that
was exhibited everywhere at the South; that
the stories in Northern papers asserting that
they lacked men, provisions, arms and ammu-
milton, were all false. He stated that he had
seen large numbers of men on their way to
Virginia, and that the North would find more
men to fight there than they bargained for
He took IA little secession flag from his pocket,
which was the first l had seen. 1 took the
REASONABLE peice of cotton in my hand, and
remarked that there was a day Of terror COM
ing for all who support it. On arriving at
Pittsburgh the feeling against secessionists
amounted to fierce and turbulent passion. Ii
nv Southern friend had shown his symbol OF
rebellion there, and declared himself in its ia
yor. he could not have lived an hour.
| At Lancaster, Pa, saw 1000 Ohio volun
teers in Camp Dennison." These were most
" raw RECRUITS, who We're being rapidly III
structed in the art of war by officers from
West Point. During my stay there, arms ano
uniforms were being distributed, which hac
Just been received. Entering one Of the bar
racks in front of which six soldiers were dane
ing to the music of violin, l saw an old maj
with white beard, who seemed sick, lying OF
a litter of straw. Offering to procure some
thing for his comfort, he said he was getting
better and would take command again in i
short time This man was Capt. Mclaughlin
of Mansfield. Ohio, IS years old, and was
Captain in the service in Mexico. He stated
to me that he telegraphed to the Governor tina
he would march company on call. The re
F ply received was take the cars with you
command tomorrow" He raised full com
pany that evening, and thenext day they wer
off. Those boys of mine," said he, the.
love me; they'll follow me any where
The residence of ex-President Buchanan i
only three-quarters of mile from this camp
Having two hours to spare l decided to pa.
him visit. On asking little boy by tn
road side if Mr.. Buchanan was at home,
heard reply from about forty feet in the al
saving that he was. Another lad whom hat
not before seen looked down at me from tai
tree This voice from above" l deemed
good omen. In the fine yard fronting his IA
Their elegant brick house, the "stars ant
stripes were waving from one of the trees
and the front windows We're decorated witt
the white, red and blue" While the ser
want went to announce me, sat in the buck
horn chair that was presented to the Presi
, dent from California. In the room were sew
eral fine pictures, among them one of Mis-
Lane, (Nlr Buchanan's niece and one Of thu
Empress Eugene. The furniture and carpe
were elegant and rich, but not snowy. Pres
emily the servant introduced me into the sit
ting room, when Mr. Buchanan came forward
taking my hand with cordiality, and giving mi
seat near the sofa where he had been sitting
looking over the late papers. He inquired
about the feeling in Iowa respecting the FREE
navigation of the Mississippi, and asked my
views about the Union feeling generally in thu
Northwest He seemed gratified with my re
plies, and spoke feelingly and with some agi
tation upon the Union. Taking up paper
containing jeff Davis's last message, he reat
portion of it where Davis asks to "be le
alone and remarked facetiously that it wa:
a very modest request. He commented upor
portions of the message with much severity
and said he could characterize the action O.
the secessionists, particularly those of Louisi
ana, as nothing less than downright robbery
I asked his opinion respecting the result o.
the present troubles He replied; " God on
ly knows; cannot tell; my opinion is that
the federal forces must ultimately prevail
can predict no other result. 1 fully concur
with the Administration in it's present policy
the Union must be sustained at any cost. y
Spoken like an honest man and patriot
Snail Always reconect my FlsiI W MI. Duciit'ii-
an as one of the pleasantest events Of my life.
He has just passed his 10th year, and looks
older. He has lost the stamina and vigor of
manhood, and was too old for President. On
him measurably rests the responsibility of the
sad and gloomy troubles through which the
country is now passing. Hewas weak enough
to yield in almost craven submission to the
threats and demands of the enterprising trait
ors by whom he was surrounded; weak
enough to be duped and deceived by them
pity more than blame him. May his vener-
able head rest softly upon the tender bosom Of
charity, and go down to his grave in peace.
Yours truly, &.