The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-12-15

nAe+ IUloH - snuuSut IL Wouiu bot
be out of place for me, though stranger,
to write you few thoughts from "Dixie
land"
This day. December 81, is truly EN-.
blematical Of the encomium. Sunny .So,i..
| suppose you all in Keokuk, are now
shivering, and vrapt up in your over
coats, or hugging your stoves, while We
arc nJout, under the warm sun rays, even
in our shirt sleeves, feeling no ways un-
comfortable. The boys, not on duty, are
hard at work, hoildinc log cabins, split
ting o. irving clabboards, (by-the-by, you
never saw better timber for IT'D digging
trenches round their tents, and chinking
and daubing with mud, falling timber BY
the wholesale, on rebel Gen. Hindman's
land !; aud just now as / write whack
goes to the earth one, then another, large
sycamore tree. some fifty rods of, jsrring
the ground where | sit. Truly, sir. we
have many Of the noble yeomanry Of
Iowa IN the 3Oth Infantry.
We are firing up for winter quarters,
though cur stay here may be very short
War Is very uncertain thing, Not q
man here but would delight to hear the
order given prepare to march Jurther
South, and if demanded, we could pull
up stakes and to off in quick metre. The
prevailing sentiment of all, from the colo
mel to each private, is, let US move for
ward, and show "Uncle Sam" that we
have the "bock-Jone' - and will rush to
the swords hilt if necessary, to defend
the Constitution and blast rebellion from
our land.
Col. Abbott, with whole soul engaged
Tor the conflict, moves round daily though
our midst. looking after the sanitary in.
terest Of the camp, demanding cleanliness
and Improvement. / have no doubt bu
he seeks the best interest ofhis regiment
aud would feel proud to lead US to glori.
| Gus conflict. lie just handed me several
copies OF the Gdte City to circulate, and
weekly. as your kindness sends them
supplies the men, OF gives them to me for
distribution. We only wish the number
we're greatly increased. The local news
in them we greedily grasp for-all mat.
tiers concerning home we enjoy. If the
editor knew how many of rs relish
good reading, ] think his benevolence
would double, and the "GATE CRY y
would not only come weekly, but more
abundantly.
| suppose you are aware that our sal
from your city, down the river, was truly
delightful. Our destination being Helena
Ark, we safely reached it November 9th
about midnight. Early next morning tn,
Colonel searched for us location, and B.
early noon We were camping one mile u
the river, where We could have plenty o
water, and breathe the pleasant breeze
j, which fan the majestic Mississippi
Perhaps more elevated position nigh
been found back few miles from n.
but | think the choice he made, on tn
bank Of the river. far more preferable
Give me poorer ground with plenty Q
good cold water, rather than bette
| ground with leafy, stagnant sickly wate.
J 1t il surely better for cleanliness, even
mud ia At times an embarrassment.
II We stay here for the winter, our cam
will be worth seeing, for every improve
msnt possible, considering the few chance
We have, is being made, and We viii hay,
good Log cabins, warm and roomy, suffl
Gent to protect our men. Government
gave us very little muslin tents. but tn
Colonel is msnding the lack, and has gran,
ed all the teams Through the Quarter
mastery daily, when not in regimenta
use, to haul logs, fire wood. sand. &c.
70 fr up and be properly prepared 70
living. Several hundred Of our men, q
, you heard no doubt. with several thou
. sands, went down river" some wsok
since to make an stack On certain
+ place, but low waters prevented reachin,
= the destined spot. Our men were led b,