Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-02-18
CAMP YEAR VAN BrRrx. No. !

indicate that it should have been received
weeks ago.
CAMP YEAR VAN BrsHx, No
January u, 1868.
FRIEND Bliss Having waited long and
patiently for something to g turn up, out
of which letter of interest might be made
and finally coming to the conclusion that
further waiting is useless, / will Just let
4 you know where we are, how we are. and
what we are doing.
In the first place then We are in the
Army of South East Mo. commanded by
Brig. Gen. Davidson, who is a Regular
Army officer and lately commanded on
the Potomac. He is no doubt an eiGcient
officer, amply capable of the position
Prompt IN every ng.-dashing in ap
pearance-and very (some say too) STRIFE
in dis ipline Our camp is on the Cur
rent River, about - miles southwest IF, IN
Pilot Knob. " arrived here December
23d, 1862, and have occupied three differ
ent camps within one mile since that ime
The first on the north bank OF the river.
the second on bluff, to be out of the
mud, and the third where our tens are
just set on the south side of the river
We have pontoon lridge with Us on
which we crossed the Black and Current
Rivers. The | lth has seen no fighting
yet, except small foraging parties, being
attacked by guerrilius. 1t is thought that
in few days this force will make for>
ward movement to join Blunt & Heron
in Ark. and then on to Little Rock -
This is only conjecture, but if it proves
correct we shall doubtless have an oppor-
tunity to distinguish ourselves "A con
sumation devoutly to be wished
The health Of the Reg, generally, and
Co. in particular, is better thar for
some time past. The Regiment reports
for duty about 45U, Co. . E 60 of that
namber At the last two issues we have
drawn only two third rations, on account
OF the bad state of the roads between here
and the Knob, over which all our suppl
are hauled by mule teams. After crossing
ihe Arkansas line we hope it Will be bet
ter, rs all meat rations will be drawn ;
from the country, and cur teams viii L
better able to supply US with shingles
(military name for hard bread) Green
backs with us are ike angels visits. The
paymaster has not been amongus for four
months, The Suttler supplies US a excr
bitant prices with tobacco and writing
IN tterials, which articles are most needed.
The disasters to our armies at Frederick
burg, Nicksbur@ and 1uGreesIoyo Of late
have a tendency to dcpress the whole az
my, and some grumblers have a new and
deeper tone t. their murmcrs The guard
duty Is veay heavy. The men come on
every other day, and are allowed no fires
to warm by during the q hours they are
on. This is rather trying Of frosty
night, but it is a sure preventive of IA SUI
prise, which through carelessness in
guarding has often proved disastrous to
other armies.
Mr. O. H. Phelps-who has three sons
in the Company-has been visiting with
Us for month past. lie takes the great
est interest in the cause and the Compa-
ny, and we shall all miss him when he
leaves Last night, after roll call, viii e
in line. he addressed the boys in a lew
very appropriate, patriotic and iartherly
remarks. Among other things he spoke
OF the great cause in which we were en-
gagged, and implored US to be true to the
"o.d flag, ana keep inviolate the solemn
oat.l OF enlistment, assuring US that our
parents and friends at home would Il
mu;h rather hear oi lis finding ala homo :
able grave, than to hear We had Iorsake n
our country in its hour OF trial, and bro
Ner our solemn cath. lie also gave us
some Wholesome advice regarding oar
tme,-which was certainly not out of
place. At the close three cheers for the
speaker were called for and given in u
style that Uncle Sam boys alone can d..
Mr. Phelps viii return - Wisconsin in a
lew days, and any one having friends in
the Company viii be benefited 10y calling
on him
The Holidays with US passed as all
others. Duty, grub and amusement, just
the same Bat they are gone, SO let t. EN-
20. And we viii console ourselves with
nope that the next may find us among our
friends at home, happier and better for
having been absent so long.
The Tribune has always followed US
faithfully and though at times month
old, nevertheless welcome as Il famili r
friend. Still may il come.
Ihe Judge and Deacon are re
n entered and will please accept tae d.
tiaguished considerations Of
SCOTCH"