The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1862-04-03
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

CAMP BENTON, ST. LOUIS, NO.,
March 23d., 1862.
Though We but lately
bid adieu to Cedar county and the glori.
Gus, young, "Hawkeys State" though
yet citizen, and owing sllegisnce 10
your loyal commonwealth, l would, If
agreeable with tho wishes Of yosrself aud
numerous readers, through the columns
Of the Advertiser, give some account OF
the Iowa 10Th, from time to time
Quite number Of US came from Cedar
county, and perhaps the folks there wo' d
like to hear from US. We have been in
Camp Mcclellan nearly sig months, and
when We received orders to 20 to Dixie,
VIC shouted, and threw our caps. Think
We were all pleased with the prospect Of
seeing active service On the 18th, ",
had orders to DO ready the next morning
BY 8 o'clock. So We cooked two days
rations, packed our knspsacks, broke up
housekeeping in Camp Mcclellan, aud
waited impatiently for tn, comm md,
"Forward, March," but i. did no, come.
We waited all that day, and then had to
60 back into our old quarters, aud spend
the night dreaming of our trip to Dixie.
The next day We spent in eating cold ra-
tons, aud wondering why we did not 90
yesterday. The third day We were in
formed that no cars had been provided
to take us Then We had cooking utcn-
sis hauled back to Camp (thcy had all
been boxed up and sent to the depot in
Daveuport) aud We went to work expect,
ing to stay awhile longer; and VIC did
stay until the 10th, then VIC left Camp
Mcclellan, and went on board the train
which consisted Of 81 passenger cars aud
six trcish. cars. The weather was very
gloomy and disagreeable, but the patriot
ism of Illinois was bright and cheering.
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed alon .
the railroad as VIC passed the fair ladies
of the Sucker State God bless them
were waving handkerchiefs, scarf., and
the Stars and Stripes, from every window
aud balcony that commanded view OF
the road We arrived at Joliet at abou,
10 o clock at nj ght, where we got some
hot coffee that had been prepared for us
before We got there We left the cars q,
Alton, Ill, and went aboard a steamboat
about . o'clock the next evening, anc
landed at St. Louis, Mo-, about two hours
afterward. We were there permitted &c
stand in the mud two hours, then we wer,
started for Camp Benton, where W, inal
ly arrived, after severe struggle to cc,
through the mud After we entered ,h,
fair ground, inside of Camp Benton, We
took another two hours stand in the mud
Afier that We were put into an old MA
chine shop We carried in enough straw
to cover the floor all over, spread our
blankets. and had quite comfortable
nights rest.
Next morning We tried to makea break
fast on dry bread asd cold FORK, but il did
not seem to 20 very we'll, especially when
We thought there was no need for such
Encouragement. The 18th VII. REG.
was quartered cIose by us, and they find
ing out how We were getting along, acted
tine part OF true soldiers, and invited as
many Of US as they could accommodate
into their tents, and gave us good warm
breakfast. We are under everlasting
obligations TO the boys of the l4,h Wis.
They are soldiers and gentlemen. Yes
terday the lith WIS left for Dixie
They are armed with the Belgian rifles,
well equipped in every respect 1t ;s,sl
most impossible to find OUT how may
troop. are here. They are coming in and
going on; nearly every day. The other
! day tho lj.h Iowa, and the Eth Wi, :,
cams in, and are quartsrcd here Our
regiment is now 1unrtered in the machine
chop where We lodged the frs: night
1t il quite comfortable. but there is too
many men in it TO be healthy Promis
ing more in tho future, if agreeable, /
am Yours Truly,
r. Y G