Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-06-07
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
In CAMP, KEoKUK, May 81, 1861.

camp, and as Representatives Price and Ship
man leave for home this afternoon, | take ad
, vantage of '' summer showers to keep yOl
posted, so far as in me lies.
Yesterday afternoon our company received
orders to proceed to camp at 4p.M. lmme
dately the boys commenced packing-all was
hustle, iollity and confusion-songs, cheers
and picking Vi, things lying around loose
purchasing shoes, trousers socks, &c, Con
tick, of courseo served to pass away the time
At 4 o'clock the quartermaster's wagon was
loaded, stacked and guard mounted, and mov-
ed off with the cheers of a happy company.
Now the company was formed, armed, but not
equipped, and preceded by drummer Fowler
and borrowed fife, marched to camp. Our
flag was borne with pride and elasticity of
step that did credit to Mr. Norton. Taking
the route step, we looked like small army on
long march.
Arrived at camp, the next step was to raise
tents, and soon every mans house was ready
for occupation. Our tents are small for sew
en- men, but we must stow close and be the
more neighborly. But, alas ! how soon are
bright hopes and pleasant anticipations blast
ed Night is upon us, and many are the
anxious inquiries" when are we to have
something to eat?-are we to have nothing to
eat 2" Requisitions upon the quartermaster
were made, but no response At s o'clock
the arrival Of camp-kettles, plates, pans,
spoons, sugar, vinegar, raw side-meat, I'M
cooked beans and bread, was announced
What prospects what feast 10 be sure
we had bread, but where were the condiments?
Thanks to the ladies of Muscatine, for they
were present in time of need. Their butter
rich, fresh and sweet, was brought into requi-
sition, and upon army bread and Muscatine
county butter, we made our first repast in
camp. Who wouldn't be soldier under such
circumstances
At half-past 0 at beat of drum the roll was
called, with only 13 absentees. Then came
orders from headquarters to eXtinguish lights
and all was dark The silence Of night, only
interrupted by the sentincl's cry of " officer of
guard No. 5, IA, 8, &C." At this morning
we were aroused from heavy slumbers by
drum, and then commenced extensive prepa-
rations for breakfast.
Our coffee was Drowned and boiled under
the supervision of Sergeant AXE. Upon a
close inspection of our rations, Capt. Mason,
Lieut. Purcell, and myself conclude that if we
tarry to breakfast, our boys allowance will be
very limited The bread-not that eaten last
night. but what was left-was brought out
and sliced. The Muscatnc butter was again
brought into requisition, and for breakfast the
boys had bread and butter and coffee. Did
you ask if we had no beans or pork? Yes
but these were for dinner.
A fine eagle-measuring nine feet from tip
to tip-has just been presenter to the first
regiment, Judge Rankin presenting it on be-
half of the members of the Legislature Col.
Bates responded. Other speeches were made
by Gov Baker, O'Connor, &c.
Numerous chickens were found in camp at
daylight this morning-lfe extinct.
Col Curtis has been elected Colonel of the
I'd regiment; Capt. Tuttle Lieut.. Col; Capt.
Crocker, of Des Moines, Major.
Two companies of the Sd regiment have
just arrived Company all well. Some Incl
dents l shall leave for my next for fear of a
dcarth WE'D.
RAISING THE STARS AND STRlPEs.-The 9TH
er day in the presence of an immense crowd
of people, President Lincoln raised over the
Post Office building at Washington a national
flag. When elevated to its position, there be-
ing but little wind it remained motionless-
But suddenly gentle breeze came from the
North, and its ample folds were extended in
most graceful and beautiful manner This in
cident furnished to the President the occasion
for the following very appropriate remarks:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-Ih had not thought
to say word, but it has occurred to me that
few weeks ago the "Stars and Stripes" hung
rather languidly about the staff all over the
nation. So, too, with this flag when it was
elevated to it's place. At first it hung rather
languidly, but the glorious breeze came, and it
now floats as it should. [Cries of Good"
and applause. And we hope that the same
breeze is swelling the glorious flag throughout
the whole nation.
Secretary Seward, being called, came for
ward, and responded to the impatient and oft
repeated call for him as follows:
FELLOW -CIrIzESs-You here have known
we'll the statesmen and orators of some of the
Southern States. We have known their cour-
age, and the courage, the spirit and the reso- |
luton of the people Of all the Southern States.
But knowing all these, we know two things
which even they cannot do-one is to detroy
Hail Columbia" and the other is to destroy |
the Star Spangled Banner Repeated cheers,
intermingled with exclamations of "Nop'
Neverp'] They will fail to do it only be-
cause human nature need that the one shall
continue to be so, and that the other shall float
over the sea and the land and what human T
nature needs God Almighty, the father of hu-
man nature, DEGREES. [Great cheering, and
music from the band.
Who FIGHTs Pit is estimated that not less
than three e-fourths of the volunteers for the
present war are Democrats. The estimate
may be too high, but it is evident that large
majority of the soldiers who have taken up
arms for the defense of the Government are
those who voted the Democratic ticket in the
last campaign. This is not to be wondered
at in the least. The Democracy always had
to do the work, and if the Union is to be saved
at all, it will be through the efforts of the lion
hearted Democracy Of the anti-secession States.
Democrat '9a!'iH
If that be true, the masses are actdated by
a very different spirit from that which controls
the small potatoe leaders of the party who fig
ure in the Iowa Legislature and elsewhere
The entire batch ofLocofoco county politicians
in the Legislature y with here and there an
exception voted against loan Of 100000
and the levy of tax to pay interest on the
same, fol furnishing arms and making provi-
sions for the volunteers. The masses of the
Democracy are patriotic, but the leaders re-
fuse to encourage their patriotism, and seek
instead to barter the patriotism of The masses