The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-10-17

ready we again started on our journey,
having nothing to transpirs to increase
interest during the night. In the morn
lug We passed Alton three miles above
the confluence Of the Missouri, = place
Of considerable Importance, containing
the State Prison and other public bull
dings. lTper Alton is the seat of Surtletl
College. As we ncarcd our place of
destination i'll became anxious to get
the first glimpse OF the great and grow
ing City Of the West, until the men
pressed forward towards the front OF
the boat until they were repulscd by
the officers, and made to dcsist. AS we
nearcd the wharf we were repeatedly
chccred by officers Of boats which swan
like lay upon the bosom Of the water
At our landing the crowd increased
until it became necessary to station
guards in front of the boat in order to
transact business. No one was allowed
to 90 ashore, until j. was definitely as.
certained where we should go in camp.
Soon the City Fruit Vendors might be
seen vending their way towards the
boat, and held out tempting the for
hidden in the shape Of the delicious
peaches, pears &c. the rarcs: Of the
season. The sight was too much for
the Boys, and like village of Prairie
Dogs the cry became general. This
way if you want your fruit preserved!
and other Of similar purpose, until some
Of the Bystandcrs purchased few bas-
kets Of the fruit and threw it pelmel
in the midst of the crowd to the infinite
delightof all concerned. It was soon as
certained that we would 60 to Camp
Of Instruction situated in the Northwest
part Of town called
BENTON BARRACKS.
Named in honor Of Senator Benton,
and is beautiful place. Constantly
under going a course Of grading with
spacious grounds, and comfortable
quarters it gave it the true military
appearance. The sheds run parallel
with the ground facing the parade
ground, and are neatly white washed
on the inside and ont we'll furnished
with bcrths, while in the rear is a
kitchen with small room for the bene-
fit Of each company. The Brigadier
Generals quarters is gothic structure
commanding full view Of the place,
while in the rear is theColonel's depart
ment and assistants. The Guard House
occupies central position ana is always
handsomely patronized Passing by
one morning as the relief came round |
stopped to see what was on The pro.
grammc. The officer called the name
Of Billie Stncens when the curtain rose
and out came as handsome fleece Of
arool as one would with to see, with
coffee and toast in one hand he pleaded
"not guilty. and after considerable
delay, was charged to salute the Colo
mel the next time lie saw him, to 90
and san no more. Another character Of
the Ueenn11 school also dem,lrcd against
his confinement, presenting his sin0ial
(Which by the Way was barkcd. lie
proclaimed himself decidedly ".Sccesh"
and srorned the way they deprecated
lis talent. He could not awaken sym
patty and finely consoled himself by
singing the following distich of his own
composing.
Happy soldier! happy Bill.
Never arorked and neuer will.
1t is reported that there is quartercd
in and about st. Louis some where near
thirty ;:housand men. It is one con.
tinual coming and going Of troops, pre-
senting scene Of lively interest. Hardly
had we settled down in our ease and
comfort, when the orders came that we
must leave for Cape Girardeau, which
was willingly acceeded too. But some
Of our boys expressed the wish that
they sooner 60 to Lexington thinking
that they would have chance sooner
to try their hands. After hasty prepare
ton we started for the boat. As we
came in the principal part Of town, the
sidewalks became thronged with all
sexes. Ladies manifested there appro-
baton by waving hankerchiefs, wreaths,
small flags &c. Mothers exul,ingly
held their first born in their arms clad
in red, achite G blue. The Miss of s,ceet
sixteen shook her curls temptingly and
smiled propitiously upon us. The Mer-
chant with business air bowed with
native gentillity and called us brave