Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-08-02
From the Camp.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE GAzITTI.

CAMP CnILLlcorHE, July Is, 1861.
FRIEND PERKINS: Perhaps the bows are
a little dilatory in posting the good people in
the Cedar Valley as to matters and thing. in
the "bloody 3D." In fact, if they are any.
thing like your humble servant, | can safely
accuse them of being tardy correspondents,
without any perhaps about it.
l have been sitting in front of my tent
musing on the events Of the last two weeks,
and occasionally looking out upon the merry
groups in the different streets of the camp
Truly the boys" have passed through a
severe ordeal. Their powers of endurance,
bravery, and good nature, have all been put
to the test, and they have without an excep-
ton acquitted themselves nobly; done
themselves much credit-a credit to the
Cedar Valley-to the state of Iowa-to their
whole country. To see them on this bright
moonlight night-hcre cotillion parS trip
ping the " sore bombastic toe" to the music
OF cracked fiddle and pair of bones, there
squad of 'warbers' declaring in flute like
tones, their undying affection for ''Dinah
Rose or somebody else "way down in Ten.
nessee"-one would not suppose it the same
party who had just passed through series
Of sleepless nights and hungry days. But
such is their temperament. Within twenty
four hours after returning to camp from the
Monroe expedition, with their hunger ap.
peasod, one good nights rest, they are as
ready to /" fall i'm as ever.
Tattoo has just beaten, % p. NJ, and COM
pany X is falling in for rollcall, that over
and quiteness will reign. Fifteen minutes
are allowed for preparing to turn in.
There 60 the TAPS" the signal for 'lights
out, and silence through the camp.
We are encamped on spot of ground
between the town and the railroad; and love-
ly spot it is. Oncyear ago Chillicothe boast
ed, (and they had it to) 1000 inhabitants,
now it is truly deserted village.
Near yonder spot (or spots) where once
the garden smiled, nothing but luxuriant
growth of pigweetls-here rookery-ther
dilapidated fence--the int abitants reduced
to 500. 1t is true there are still some fine
residences, lovely garden spots, and enterprs-
ing families still pursuing their accustomed
avocations, but it is all up hill between
Union and Secession, everything has suffer
ed, and the people as whole are fast losing
their energyA
God grant that Missouri may yet prove
true to the Union, and that the loyal men
may soon have an opportunity of avowing
their fealty wherever and whenever they
choose, without fear of having their bodies
perforated. So long as the Iowa boys are
within hearing secession is mum. In this
immediate locality there is no difficulty, but
from the Mississippi to point seventy five
mileswest on the II. & st. 10. r. R., thence
south to ST. Louis, the rebels are thick as
hornets.
Since our return from the war, there have
been engagements further south on the north
Missouri r. r., and will be until the rascals
uIC DiollSu Out Ol CAiStSuSS' AuC'I NloCpS
are nothing but gucrillas. reckless dare-devils
whose motto is "Burn, Kill, Slay !" a set of
beings who give no quarter and except none
who shoot in the dark, and hide by day.
said reckless-thcy are in their way, bht
you cannot inducs them to stand to the front
and fight even-handed by daylight.
Capt. SMITH has, presume, given you
the details ofour battles, so tits not necessary
that should. attempt it. You shall be in
formed of the particulars of our next fight
if we have any.
The box Of Havelocks, &c., came safely
to hand last evening. The boys are gaiy
decked to-day, and overjoyed to think they
are still so well remembered.
Tell "SouIBoB" that in the present col
lapsed state Of the financial department. some
of the boys Of company X are under par.
ticuliar obligations to him for his donation.
Long may he live to tear calico, and draw
"big houses
Yours, X.