The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-09-19
FROM OUR BOYS At CAMP FREMONT.
CAMP FREMONT,
Sept. 18th, 1851.

Mn. Ep1roR.
I shall not attemptto give an elaborate
description of camplitc, but shalt for the
benefit Of my numerous friends and rea-
ders Of the Transcript, add few lines
TO what has already been written, by
"Our Friend" and other "Worthics'
Of our Mess. The unusual military
uuictness here affords me but little to
write about in that respect: but as
large body of men Rs there is here
affords perhaps something worthy Of
note in general point Of view.
Our company is in good spirits, and
is making rapid and pe.cep,ib.e inn
provcment The neatness Of their gar
ments, and their gentlcmanv department,
have won the universal admiration Of
tile patriotic citizens Of Iowa City. Nor
is that praise unwontingly bestowed !!
they go through their routine ofbusiness
with surprising alacrity, and display =
proficiency, seldom witnessed in raw
re craits, firm in the determination to
become perfect, and be prepared for
any emergency.
The duties Of soldiers life are one
thing always-fr.'m drill TO post, thence
to other little affairs connected with our
position, it combines constant action
and implicit obedience. shall first
speak concerning Drill l, IS the duty
of every soldier to rise from his couch
at the sound Of the drum, and make a
hasty prepared breakfast, after which
at the hour Of s! o'clock we "fali in
and drill until half past ten. The drill
consisting in wheeling right and left
thanking with alignment. From three
to five Il. NJ. we 60 through battalion
drill consisting in forming columns,
skirmiShing, arranging into line Of
battle &c. At five we have parade,
very impressive exercise, consisting in
presentation of all the companies for
inspection, and hearing the varin,ls
reports Of officers: after which Il retarn
is once more made - our quarters When
each one occupies himself ~ son,ctiiI4
useful, all going merry as the nrarri,,a
bell.''
As twilight, gently ,eaia around
! crowd may he seen n the i. al quarters
striving to obtain Passes iar tile ydlr-
pose Of taking a stroll s.np town or
visiin. their friends.
Guards hcins detailed from each
company il becomes necessary 10 obtain
certificates Of RECOGNITION III order Is
pass the guards. when 4 report of the
s"',e is made the next morning. \
>aili#' H i ,ef1ialitT r'H cN8facter
| II +, bound II nave III the sidewalk il
he can, and address hi,n self to all the
pretty women when an oprar!nnitv pre-
sen,s itself.
INCIDENTS
The appreciation Of our responsibility
is never fully realized until torcibly de-
monstyatea By the circumstances which
surround us. Thea incidents often
prove Instructive and amusing. A few
evenings since, one Of The guards fell
asleep, a rognish fellow crcpt up and
stole his hat and musket, awakinr
shortly he made hasty search but they
were minus terms. Had he been Oh
active duty the penalty would have
been severe but he met only with
reprimand with restoration of the
needful things, while the fellow went
his way chuckling at his sharpness.
Another fellow on guard paced up and
down his post with pride and prompt
ness, soldier approached him when nc
sung out "Halt" and give the counter
sign" the fellow was astounded at what
he called the impudencc Of the guard,
parley ensucd, all the time drawing
near the guard, lyon have fine looking
gun there !''-"Well ycs' replied the
guard. elbow is the hayonet fastened
on the blame thing?" The guard nm
suspectingly hell out his gun for IN
spcction, when by dcxtrous move the
fellow slipped the bayonet Ct, and politel,
welt his way, to the extreme NORTH
cation of the fellow. The boys are up
to all sorts Of fun, a few evenings since,
one Of the wood carts was passing on
its way toward the gateway, when
volunteer jumped in and concealed him.
self on the bottom. The cart moved
on followed by sea Of heads. when
directly opposite the gate the suspecting
guard mounted the cart and after two
or three hasty punches by way Of saln
tation, with the bavonet. out jumped
the rogue with an expression ~ good