Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-04-24
CAMP 11TH Iowa, LAKE Providence, La,
April 18th. 1853.

EDITOR JOURNAL AS your very readable
paper has an extended circulation, and as from
it's tone it is reasonable to presume that it is
perused by those to whom wish more par
ticularly to address few words, viz: friends Of
the Union, desire, through its columns, to
address few remarks to our friends at home,
believing that word now and then from
Dixie is acceptable, though not couched in ex-
act conformity with the rules of etymology
and syntax for, Mr. Editor, you are no doubt
aware that there is material difference be.
tween handling an Enfield" and "driving q
quill" ..........
Our regiment is in tip top condition, and
the best of spirits. We have a splendid camp
some three miles below Lake Providence, on
the Louisiana side of the river. The weather
for some time past has been beautiful, and
the health of the regiment was never better.
Col. VIM Hall rejoined US few days since.
The boys were rejoiced to see him, although
believe his health is not materially improv-
ed. He is the same courteous, gentlemanly
and efficient officer he has ever been. The
monotony Of camp life was agreeably relieved
on Monday last, by the arrival Of Col. H. S.
Compton (who is emphatically the soldiers
friend) with cargo of good things contribu'
ted by our friends in Iowa, and which he pro.
ceeeded, with his usual dispatch, to distribute
among the boys. In the life Of the soldier
made up as it is of dangers, hardships and
privatious, the appetite is by no means likely
to become pampered or cloyed by Injuries
consequently::th soldiers fitted above all 9th
ers, to appreciate an episode of this character
Could the donors who have so literally con
kr:b,,ko1 ~ o,,r vo hoo ~
blessings invoked upon them by the soldiers
methinks they would have experienced that
feeling of satisfaction which is known only
in the performance of a good deed. To the
friends of Co. D, in Muscatine and Cedar
coui ties, who have so literally provided us
with creature comforts, would, in behalf Of
the members of said company, return our
sincere and heartfelt thanks. May those who
have so personally remembered us, enjoy long
years of happiness and prosperity. would
add the assurance that their gifts are not un.
worthily bestowed. The recipients of your
favors are still actuated by the motives that
prompted them to take up arms in their
country's cause. The patriotism that thrilled
their bosoms eighteen months ago still burns
with undiminished and unquenchable ardcr,
and, though many discourag!ng pictures are
drawn by Northern traitors, they inspire the
hearts of the soldiers only contempt for their
authors. and as we receive from our friends
at home such substantial tokens of their com
mendatien, and hear resembling along the
bayous of Louisiana cheer after cheer for the
old flag, zoe think it requires no seer to pre-
dict that the right uiu prevail, and that ulti-
mately all will be we'll.
The "Bully Eleventh." in point Of military
attainments, stamina and patriotism, is au
fait; her loyalty is unimpeachable, the asser-
tons Of the Courier to the contrary notwith-
standing. would say to those croakers of
the Copperhead persuasion, who doubt the
patriotism of Iowa soldiers, that if they will
come among US promulgating their trtasona-
BILE doctrines, our demonstrations Of loyalty
will, opine, be found far more energetic than
agreeable.
Reiterating, in behalf of my fellow soldiers,
thanks to our friends for their kindness, l
respectfully subscribe myself, MATT.