The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-12-14

BENTON BARRACKS, ST. Louis,
December &, 1861.

1 Nv we have had no big review-no big
Generals riding 'round-no tired popu-
lace peeping from house-tops and hang
ing on fences--no, nothing but this quiet,
peaceful Sabbath, that most naturally in
clines one to church and clean collars
In the last seven days, We have had the
whole gauntlet of the seasons, commenc-
ing on Sunday last, when there was big
review and all that, with the mercury Of
the thermometer in its very boots and the
wind making icicies of every breath
Then followed heavy snow-storm
to the right of us, snow to the left of us.
snow all over us--for two days twas as
numerous as Iowa troops and measles we
| woke up in snow-drift, eat in snow
drift, drilled, paraded and went to bed in
snow-driftl Then it was rain, slush,
mud, for while, with all the attendant
ills-wagons mired, cavalry slipped, and
infantry stuck. But, gradually, it has
come to this, a perfect spring-like day, and
we sit in barracks with doors and win
dows open, or wander over the grounds,
almost longing for the luxury of shade.
Camp Benton, at the present time, pre-
| sents but little of unusual interest. The
grand western army that was concentrate
ing here so fast, and heading down the
river, concluded finally it won't concen-
trate, and just when we all supposed we
were getting good ready, here comes an
order for us to 'sskedaadle," SO the 18th
Iowa, Col Hare, started this morning for
Jefferson City, and the SD Illinois
shouldered arms this afternoon for ST. 10.
'.Mons Tonson, come again" We Iowa
boys thought we had settled that little st.
10. business long ago, but at this rate
you needn't be surprised to find the Sd
Iowa Cavalry receiving calls in Camp
Rankin next New Years Day.
Inspection and pay day have somewhat
4
relieved the routine of camp life, in the
last weekday day, especially, was most
agreeable change Of programme. and Off
GERS and privates are in the broadcast state
Of grin and good nature imaginable. The
Sd Iowa Cavalry was first on the list, and
we received two months pay, in Govern
ment notes and silver Our boys deserve
much credit for TIE amount of money sent
home. One Captain had 81 900 piled up
on his table, 16r home consumption, the
evening after pay day Several infantry
regiments have since been paid off, among
than the 2d@ Iowa. The inspection of
the cavalry has been postponed till to-
morrow, and as we are considerably in
terested, / shall delay this note another
day.
TUESDAY, Dec. 10th.
The entire day, yesterday, was oecu-
pied with inspection. Col. Warren
Regiment-that is, the one-third Of it
now remaining here--was FIRST on the
grounds, and finer battalion Of men
Gen. Van Ransaear never had the good
fortune to inspect. might reverse that,
for finer, more military looking General
never wore star He was accompanied
BY Adjntant Mckinney, COL Warren and
the other feld-ofhcers acting as escor,
through the lines. The regiment was
inspected in column, and during the hall
9 hour thus occupied, the Sd Iowa Cavalry
r were forming in rear of Col. Warren,
battalion. As the latter moved off, Col
Bussey's regiment came up in line rs wa
| line reaching nearly across the parade
J ground, from barracks on the right to bar
: racks on the left. Ny buttons but i
was grand sight that great, moving
; mass, advancing 30 steady, SO regular il
. time and tread The regiment va
> highly complimented BY the General, ans
, inspected in the usual manner. 1t is tn,
!, largest and best-mounted body Of men OF
/ the grounds, and appeared to fine advant
r age compared with the Michigan cavalry
: Of which there are two regiments now II
camp here-the I'd end 3D.. The q
} is partially mounted--but such set o
: s.beasties - but the Sd is worse OF in til,
: matter Of horses than Falstafs regimen
Q was for shirts: there's but one horse il
! the whole regiment, and that's . mule
1 The court martial commenced to-day
n Col Wright, 18th Missouri is President
9 and Adjulant Noble Judge Advocate
2 They have disposed Of some thirty cases