, 1862-01-30
LEAF FROM BENTON BARRACKS.
The massa Sworn Ont and hts Com
tr0band Sworn In.

From our Special Correspondent
BENTON BARRACKS, Jan. Fl, 1862,
few days since, while passing the quar-
ters Of the First iowa cavalry, under the com
mand of Col. Fitz Henry Warren, VIC heard
warm and angry discussion going on in the
rear Of one Of the conapany's quarters. Think
ing that there might be an item picked up in
that vicinity, We passed through into the yard,
where VIC discovered group Of soldiers gath
cred around two persons who were engaged in
warm disputation. We recognized one OF
them as being corporal Of the company, who
had evidently been enjoying very recently the
elevating benefits Of pass beyond the guard
Of The barracks. His attitude was Of that
Greet military character prescribed in the tao
tics OF Scott, Hardec and Macoznb. His have
lock was thrown well forward, while his blue
orcfcoat dropped its lappels and collar grace
1ully back from his shoulders, exposing to
view his brawny hands, the thumbs Of which
were hooked with m air Of carclcssness into
the armholes Of his vest, while his feet were
spread well apart, giving to him that peculiar
attitude that so happily combines the military
student and the western orator,
His opponent was little, old, snappish
Missouri planter, with parrot bill nose, and
profusion of red hair that hung in fiery fes-
toons from the low matched cares Of his fore
head; the whole being surmounted by
white slouched hat, long surtoot coat, With
hemp bed-cord protruding from one Of the
pockets, and the everlasting butternut pants,
completed the prominent externa1s of the Mis-
sourian. Judging from the style Of their
languagc, both had evidently been born and
rused upon the frontier during those peaceful,
sunny days that preceded the Inauguration of
school district quarrcls. Bnt whatever had
been denied to them in educational attainment,
nature had amply accounted for by the be.
stowal Of large amount Of pugnaeity.
happeared that Old Missouri was the owner
Of travelling contraband that he had been
pursuing several days, and had lost the trail in
the immediate vicinity Of the CorporaIs MILL
tary Jurisdiction, and it was this negro, In con
nection with the Institution Of slavery, TINT
appeared TO he the subject in controversy, and
which had awakened in the disputants that
warmth Of feeling and excitement which often
ovcrlcaps the rules Of decorslm, until arrested
By the bland and courteous interference Of
presiding umpire; but there being no umpire
here, the discussion went fcrccly on. Present
y old B1tternnt let loose position upon the
side Of slavery that was cu1iroly new to the
Corporal. who Eas evidently not prepared to
answer it; which his opponent quickly dig
covered; when he Immediately commenced
pressing bis argument with crest force of Ian
gusge, while q bitter grin Of triumph seemed
TO 1l1ume the features Of his face and wanton
among his shaggy locks.
It wss evident that Corporal Was getting
eornered, while the Tinkirg Of his eyes; the
tpasmodic twitching Of the muscles Of his
lace, and the drumming Of bis fingers upon
towazdathe htaief that he was getting into
tight place.
Bat suddenly breh1ziaE through au psrlia-