The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-03
TIE GATE CITY.
EOK u K:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER ;.
HEADo'Rs lsr Iowa IHFr., A. D.,

90 4
BENTON BARRACKS, No., Nov. 81, '63.|
Editors Gate Oily: l ayail myself Of
the first opportunity 10 fal6Iling my
promise that would let you hear from
me, but shall not promise you any very
interesting news. ] presume an attempt
to describe Benton Barracks would be
superfuous, as your readers that have
not seen them have fair conception Of
what kind of institutions they are, from
numerous descriptions given Of them by
correspondents at the commencement Of
the war, and from the loud howl raised
against General Fremont by some narrow
souled pretending Union men, for spend
ing Uncle Sans treasure in erecting
them for the comfort of the soldiers
The soldiers of the Army Of the South
west, and their friends, owe General Free
mont q debt Of gratitude for erecting
them as early as he did, as they have
paid for themselves over an over. if life
and health are of more value than money.
All hands connected with the lst Iowa
A. D. are highly pleased with the change
from keokuk to this place, as we here
get comforts that we did not get there
The officers at the head of the different
departments are loyal at heart, and take
pleasure in trying to make negro soldiers
as comfortable as the regulations will al.
low. Colonel Bonneville, commander of
the Post. is regular army officer, and
shows more signs Of true loyalty than
great many regular army officers. He
threatens severe punishment on any per-
son under his jurisdiction, that will offer
Insult to any colored soldier. So far no
Insult has been offered, but on the con-
trary great deal of interest has been
manifested by white soldiers to see the
regiment do well, which has been highly
complimented fox their maneuvering in
drill and proficiency in the handling of
their arms. The regiment wants about
forty more men to make the full compli-
ment of companies allowed to regiment.
As soon as we are filled up and equipped
We expect to be ordered TO Helena, Ar
kansas, which is the Only place that We
90 not care about going, as some of us
that have had the luck to be stationed
there once before Jared rather badly, but
as We are in "RoEe" we will have to do
as Rome orders"
Under General Schofeld's late order.
recruiting in Missouri is paying bust
ness in colored regiments. Shareholders
admit that the institution is "done gone
up, and are overly anxious to have their
slaves enlist, as they think $500 worth of
Old Abe's photographs are not as likely
to take up legs and run off as likely
"nigger.' The only bad clause in the
order Is allowing 5000 to loyal owners.
as there will be but few (if any that will
get the valuation that have any loyal
thoughts about the United States; but we
are thankful for the order as it is. The
Radical party of the State deserves the
credit OF having such an order issued. as
they by their bold and unflinching sup |
port OF the Union made it rather nm.
healthy to keep it back longer. Had the
Radicals been wofully defeated at the
late election, the order venture to saw
would never have been issued. But nv
letter presume is growing more lengthy
than interesting, so | will not protract
my remarks further.
The health of the officers and men If
the regiment is good. There has been
only two deaths since we came here
We receive the "Gate" tolerably regular
now, but missed few numbers at first but
they will yet make their appearance. We
are always anxious to receive il and fool !
when it fails to arrive On
It's regular day. J.
am very respectfully,
Your ob't scrv't. q