The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-10-28

mains. The eaelossse 10 nov occupied
q 4; I; g. e; j .s.s.sI., : :;ss;:d
about Eve miles mp the Bay. on TIP main
land, and can readily b seen from Vol
~. There ere but few families in this
plsoa. the inhabitanas has1lg nsasly oil
He'd when Bragg fstridsel afrQk this
plass.
i ne following troops conpose ths com
anlssd under Brig. Gsn. Asbotk: I'd
Maine and Let Fla. cavalry, l9th Iowa
and detachment Of 7th Vt. infantry, seth,
SD aud 25th q. s. colorsd Infantry, and
ong 6ompSny q TIE lst Fla. battery.
There 10 considerable Sickness amoAa
the troops here, not 30 much, however,
10 our regiment ss in others; but Till our
sick list e much larger than il has been
at any time for the last year, and il daily
on the increase Out Of a96 present.
about Is report to the Surgeon, daily.
There are, however, only four men in
Regimental Hospital, and none q them
are confined to their beds The balance
are able to walk about camp, but are ex-
cased from duty.
This increases Of sickness 10 mainly At
tributed to lack Of vegetables for the
men. Articles antiscorbu.ic in their ns.
ture cannot be had here Our rations
consist principally Of salt beef, salt pork,
beans, split peas, and sometimes rice.
Fresh beef is issued once in Eve days, but
nothing in the vegetable line is furnished.
We draw -four. and have it baked in
Regimental Oxen. aud in this way we
have good bread and plenty OF it.
II there ever was time when We need.
ed the assistance Of Sanitary Comnis-
sion, it is now. A great work might be
done here, in aIleviating the sufferipgs Of
the troops. Anything in the fruit or veg
+, etsbe line would be thankfully received
; and l sm con6den, that our macy friends
:. at home would gladly furnish thess srti
y cles, aud do contribute largely for ou
benefit. but by some means or other, th.
= articles never reach US. We cannot blam,
= any one in Iowa for not acting in this ma.
}. ter, but We do attach blame TO ,thos
through whose hands these articles, 70
tho sick and wounded soldiers, have +
d pass
: I see by late articles in Iowa papers
that an impression has gone abroad, tbs
y 1.-THE exchanged prisoners of the 10th, o
rs their arrival at New Orleans. were take
r in charge by the Sanitary Commission
l. and provided with good clothing, and ev
erythiug necessary to make them confor
% table will just make this s.atemen,
Is founded upon good authority, tha! thes
a men never received single article OF foo
p or clothing from the Sanitary Commit
- sion, bu. were fed and clothed BY tn
Government from the hour they arrive
ia the city. Much might have been don
e to alleviate the suffering of hese galsu
). nen. who were almost naked, and in
q starving condition. But .o,hing va
done. except by the Christian Commis
sion which furnished tho men with tn
necessary paper and envelopes, on whic
!; to write to their friends 1t home
II This great Sanitary Commission ma
), be big thing ct homo. bu. soldiers i
the army scan't see it"
NV letter has grown some What lengthy
perhaps too much 50. | will close B
: bidding farewell to TIE many readers Q
:, the Gate City. hoping that if 10 you
opinion, this is worthy Of publication.
may find place in the columns of you
q worthy paper.
Yours, Francis II. SKAPEK.
Co. E. 10Th Iowa Infantry.
Il