Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-07-26
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
In CAMP IL MILES FROM CLINTON,
HENRY Co., Mo-, July 8, 1861.

starting, July 6th we were on our journey
At about o'clock we arrived at a creek whose
waters told us we must ford. l had heard OF
armies fording streams, but the reality was
now upon me. Hauling off my shoes and
rolling up my pants, prepared to follow file
leaders and buffet the mad waters of Shirt-tail
creek The feat was we'll performed, especial
ly on my part, as had the honor to be the
only commissioned officer of the first regiment
who forded without the aid of horse-tlesh.-
This gave us a chance to rest, after which we
logged along. About four miles further on
another creek was reached. This, too, was
forded in gallant manner. At this point l
was under many obligations to private Blank,
of company A. who came up just as the first
shoe was off and insisted on backing me over.
Still further on smaller creek was crossed,
upon whose banks we came to halt, and
made most brilliant charge upon havresacks.
Here we found one Of those whOle-Souled,
patriotic (?) Union men who infcst this por-
ton of the Union, who found ready purchas-
ers for chickens, butter, cheese at 10 cts per
h., and buttermilk at 10 cts per quart. This
is only one example Of this class of men, who
come into camp at the close of days weari-
some and wearying march, and profess to be
Union men, and under these professions actu-
ally steal from us the necessaries Of life.
We should think little of this were we near a
market Another feature of our march cauS-
es much complaint. The rebels who have
plundercd, killed, and murdered on this road,
satisfy our most tender and generous Uncle
Sam bv taking most solemn oath, which
they have violated only few days since, and
friendly drink of old rye or sod corn, while
our troops are cursed and whipped if they
dare touch vegetable or a chicken upon the
premises of rebel But this, too, is in
soldiers life
This day at P. NJ. we finished II miles,
and came to halt, with our men much IA
tigued and more crippled than ON any prevl-
Gus day, but our boys were none behind the
Missourians. Our regiment is rapidly gain
ing favor with Gen. Lyon. AT our start, and
upon two or three occasions since, the General
expressed the opinion that there was too much
levity among us for so solemn mission-that
he feared we did not realize what we were out
for. But there's no use talking; something
verv solemn and very impressive must come
I'D to prevent our men from singing and be-
inc merry as they march They started out
with full sense of all the terrible realities OF
war, willing to lay down their lives rather
than their national honor They expected to
tioht. and if need be, die. But they do not
propose to chant funeral dirges before the
tme nor, like the dying swan, sing their OWL
requiem.
The army is now slowly crossing the Grand
River, very ugly stream, navigated by an In
different specimen of ferry boat. One team
only passes at time Two days will be oc-
cupied in crossing our brigade. Two more at
least will be required to pass the Kansas brig
AIDE, who have just arrived under command of
Maj. Sturgis, Z. S. \. This latter brigade
consists of about 1900 regulars, consisting of
dragons and artillery and about 1900 volun-
teers of infantry and cavalry. The regulars
have marched from Texas since May 1st, and
are in first rate fighting order. The mounted
men are particularly opportune at this time, as
infantry find it slow work chasing mounted
rebels. Sergeant Hays came in with the Kan
sas troops having, with a very determined
spirit, travelled from the Hospital at Hannibal
to St. Joe, from thence to Kansas City, and
then making forced march of q miles to
overtake the troops one day in advance OF
him. He is looking hale and hearty, and has
relish for our plain substantiabi!ities Phi
Yates Burris and Ray are still at Boonvillc
hospital Private Van Buren, left US very alb
ruptly the other morning, and after many in
ouiries we found he had returned to Boonville
on hospital wagon, which, of course, has
given rise to many comments. Private Coch-
rane is still in hospital here, improving.
This march has demonstrated to my mind
that the largest, stoutest men are not always
the strongest and of most physical endurance.
In proof of this 1 have to refer to Prlvates
Fiigor, VIM. NJ Stewart, Couch, and Corporal
Severn. While many of our stout, broad
shouldered and hearty men occasionally break
down, they go through with scarcely muir
mur-only 81 don't believe they'll ever catch
me in another such scrape.'
This evening We have reliable information
of Jackson's whereabouts, and all seems IA
vorable for an early fight He is reported to
be in Barton county with about 5000 men,
10 or more pieces of artillery, with men poor
" armed and provisions scarce. When to-
gether Gen. Lyon will have force of about
9,OOO-perhaps more. We have the advan-
tage of disciplined troops. Before another
week closes we expect to have met and rout-
ed, if not captured, the rebel army.
To our friends at home let me say, believe
none of the first reports, as we are mlsrepre-
sented and lied about every mile we march.
If anything occurs, disastrous, or otherwise,
YOUR correspondents will inform them through
your columns, as soon as any other person can,
who know the real facts. Everything here
depends upon courers and mails, and we will
post you at the earliest opportunity.
W. F. D.
| "CAMP LYON" ST. JOE, Mo-,
July 18th, 1861.
| My DEAR JOURNAL Since last wrote
you we have become suffi s;iently reinforced to
feel safe from attack, and hence indulge in
" tired natures sweet restorer' after the man.
ner of civilians, barring the downy pillows,
spring mattresses and-but no matter, we are
soldiers now and must ignore luxury, real or