Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-10-30
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP ON BLACK RIVER. NEAR NIcEsRURG, !
y {

am now every morning compelled to turn on
at the tap of the drum. 1t is needless to sa
| bear my misfortune calmly. Even the I'm
welcome announcement that | am to stan,
p cket, to night, does not in the least ruff
the lacidity of my temper.
We have, in this neighborhoOd, few O
the old, original, xxx secesslonists. A
Mississippi is unequaled in the ferocity an,
bloc i;hirstlness of its animal and reptile pop
ulation, so it is unsurp passed in the bitter cru
city and vindictiveness of its Inhabitants
THIS is easily accounted for by analogy.
more malignant race of rebel-loving, Union
hating scoundrels, do not suppose disgrac
any other cline on Gods green earth En-
ba.ked in the cause of treason at the very
outset, they cling to their iniquity through
anything and everything. The emost remark
able illustration of total deeravity, ever wit
messed, is to be found in the person of olt
Harris, who lives mile Or two outside ou,
lines. His house is the rendezvous of guer
rilas, horse thieves and ass ,ssins, and his
two daughters, the best-looking. spunkies
little traitresses imaginable. The family draw
rations from the government, and act the
quartermaster, in turn to the bushwhackers
A Lieutenant, while patrolling near his house,
was recently shot, and numerous other
guards have been fired at in that vicinity
Harris himself is tall, cadaverous,. saffron.
colored, tobacco eating codger, who, if he is
n -, H., r
mistake made by God Almighty, who certain
ly put the face Of villain on his chuck.e-
head. If the old gentleman doesn't wake up
one of these cold mornings and find. his house
in ashes and his neck in a halter, it will be
because the most persist tent, determined and
energetic efforts in that rection have failed
in accomplishing the end so meritoriOusly de.
served.
PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER.
The men have been very busy preparing
for cold weather. Though in rather rough
way, they manage to patch up their tents in
such manner as to render comfort not a.to-
ge:her an lmpossibility. Raising their can
vass habtations two or three feet from the
ground, they cover the intervening distance
with boards. Bunks are then put in and a
the cabin quite endurable even in cold weather.
Among other conveniences, the companies
are beginning to avail themselves of the black
cooks, allowed by law. 20 II mess has al
ready secured the valuable acquisition in the
shape of Juba," so intensely black tina. char
coal looks pale in comparison. He is an ex-
cellent cook, however, and his fat pork frica-
SEES cannot be surpassed. On account of his
musical attainmentS, "Juba " is leading
man among the other colored denzens of the
camp, and as such, claims passing notice in
my letter. All Of his efforts are excellent,
but his chef deuc'e-his ballad par ercel-
lence, is the song from which he derived his
name Juba." 1t is Of his own composition,
and as it Is unanimously conceded to be ''slap-
up," herewith transcr!be verse for the ed
itication of the reader
Dis step, todsr step,
Dis step and t'oder step,
Juba
CHoRys-Juba dis and juba dat
Juba kill de yalIer cat
Juba take dc skin for hat
White man what do you tink OBJ dat
Oh hsyah ~
OF course We are profoundly sensible of the
eclat in having such Ii erary genius in our
service and only hope that some wandering
Lieutenant of negro regiment, may not jay
hawk our sable poet into tho army.
DECIDED NOT TO STAY.
Notwithstandi.. 6 the preparations we have
been at the trouble to make IN view of win
tering here, we have decided not to st v,
inasmuch as we have been ordered to leave
The most of our corps has been transferred
to other fields of usefulness and only our sol
itary little division is left on the Big Black
The ''rebs," with their usual acuteness, have
discovered this fact, and large and constant
ly increasing force is menacing our 'front.'
Remarkably singular is the assiduity with
which these rash men hang around u.s. Bitter
experience should have taught them long
since that battle with Grants men was but
another name for tremendous thrashing
Doubtless our contemplated movement may
have something to do with the ''rebs."
battle may be expected at any time, probably
before these lines are in print.
All men unfit for active duty have been SEN
to the rear, and commissary stores taken te
the railroad. Preparations for general muss
manifest themselves on every hand. do no
think we will fall back, as Gen. Tuttle, who
is in command here. albeit he is Democrat,
candidate for Gubernatorial honors in Iowa, i.
hardly the man to shirk fight.
Speaking of the General, spruce young
secesh Captain recently came in under FLAG
of truce and was conducted to headquarters
in front of which walked the ''old man.
With bland smile he saluted, and reaching
out his hand, exclaimed, 'Most happy to set
you, General" The General looked at him
moment, never offering his hand, but with
the most cutting frigidity demanded his busl
ness, and at the same time INDUCED in som,
remarks in regard to rebel truce flags, deci
dedly more forcible and expressive than ele
CANT or complimentary. In the meantime tn,
orderlies to whom the reb. turned over hi:
horse, succeeded in stealing his halter strap
ELECTION NEXT TUESDAY.
The more we see of Gen. Tuttle, the NOR,
we are surprised at the position he occupie.
politically. Were it not that the politica
effect of his election would be so injurious t.
this Division would support him with good
strong vote. As it is, he has but little to ex
pect of Iowa soldiers. He has allowed him
self to be placed in such position that the,
cannot give him their ballots. Fer one, how
ever, my faith in him is so strong that il
after this war is ended, he should ever agail
come up for Office when his election woul
not tend to embarrass the Government, h
will most assuredly receive my vote. Th
Byington & Co. dodge won't win. No nom
inee of the Democratic party can gain tn
soldiers vote, not even Gen. Grant himself
As it is growing late, must draw my lie,
ter to close. Before you have received this
the election will be over, and Iowa troop
will have shown the country that they car
not be won from the path of political duty
even though favorite leader has to be sacr
feed in consequence. They will never aid b
their votes the eopperheads in Iowa, eithe
directly or indirectly. Mark the vote, an
see if my surmise is not correct.
| Tbo hoo1&h nf &bo .o