Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-10-18
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
WANT M Z IT n
Kansas Citv Mo Oct. B. 1851.


Kansas City Mo-, Oct. 3, 1861.
DEAR JOURNAL: For two days in succession
orders have been issued for marching at 9
o'clock A. n, only to be countermanded when
the hour arrived, consequently, we are still
not yet known.
Kansas City is situated on the Missouri
river just below the mouth Of the Kaw or
Kansas river 1t is about one mile within the
limits of the State of Missouri, and contains
apopulation ofabout 8, 600, and in times ofpeace
was place of considerable business, being
one Of the starting points for the Santa Fee
trains. The secession element formerly ruled,
but at present it is impossible to find any
other than the very best Union men here.
The reason for this remarkable change of
sentiment may, perhaps, be found in the state.
ment of little boy of ten, and as boys are
generally posted in some things as well as
others, give you his information as he gave
| it to us. In going for water at house near
camp we met the boy at the well. We en-
quired who lives here? Joe. Brown, was the
reply. Is he "secesh?'' No sir Sure Of it?
Yes sir, sure of it, he is just as good Union
man as Milt. Magee is, so he is. Well, says
we, everybody knows that Milt Magee is Use
cesh." No he amt. He is first rate Union
man, and has been since Jim. Lane came to
town.
Satisfied that Joe. Brown and Milt. Magee
were all right the subject was dropped am
informed by those who have accompanied the
Gen. into this State on previous occasions
that he always finds good Union men where.
ever he goes.
Yesterday was lively day in camp. Ear,
ly in the morning detachment of Black Cav
ment consisted of nine black men on seven
horses. They reported themselves at head
quarters and turned their horses over fol
government use. They came from below In
dependence. Five of them belonged to ont
man, and were to start this morning for Tex
as-a move that they have vetoed complete
lily. Later in the day some of our coloret
transfers were down the pike toward West
port, and as they were coming in, they me
q wagon with white man and darkey drive
comfortably seated upon it. They stoppet
the team and questioned the negro, who sal,
he was q slave and would like to be free, 9TH
ungrateful hound but was too much afrai'
of Massa to attempt running away. He wa
told that nothing hindered his walking Of
with them. He said he would like to 90, bu
i. he owed Massa quarter and must 60 HON
and pay it. This was an objection that wa
of little consequence in the eyes of practices
black abolitionists, and the boy was marche
off almost in spite of himself.
. So much for the forenoon. In the after
, noon we had dress parade. The infantry {
. the Sd regiment appearing in full uniform
and marching through the principal street
of the city to the levee, being everywher
. greeted with cheers for the Stars and Stripes
the Union, and even for Lane and Montgon
! cry. Verify the times have changed.
> The days exercises were brought to clos
by the ceremony of drumming a man out {
+ service, for drunkenness, disobedience of OF
ders and the expression of secession sent
, ments He was crowned with huge cal
, made of old newspapers, and all the drum
in the whole brigade forming i'll line followe
+ him beyond the lines, to the time of Rogue
r March," A sorrier looking specimen of tn
, genus could scarcely be imagined.
Orders are again issued to prepare for
march, tomorrow at o'clock. 1t is SUI
;. posed for Forts Lincoln and Scott.
q Yours &c, E. H. G.