The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-04-27
Letter from Capt. Contal, 9th Cavalry
BENTON BARRACKS, ST.. LouIs,|
nc,l 10Th 1894

APIH AStu, llOf.
DEAR TIMEs:-As many days have
elapsed since l had the happiness of social
tete-a tete with you and enjoyed the valued
conversation Of your esteemed proprietors,
l will endeavor to pen you few lines to
remind you that they still hold front seats
in the cathedral OF my memory. Their
kind services and your lively face, Mr..
TINES, are alike appreciated by not only
myself but the rest Of our company. In
Company F you have acquaintances by the
score and readers universally.
There is but little news afloat outside of
the war, on which you are better posted
than We are. There have been some changes
in the company; most Of them you have
been advised of. Privates Michael Burke
Of Wisconsin, Hiram Irymundson of Roch-
ester, Mimi, and Ephraim Hoag of Hesper,
Iowa, have been mustered out of the SER
vice Ivy King DEATH. We were very 10th
to part with the boys; they were good SOL
ders, but the summons was peremptory
and resistance was vain.
We have been very busy during our stay
here in drilling and in becoming conversant
with the regulations and tactics. We have
inspection nearly every week by some off
cial disnitary and receive some praise,
which we think is not altogether unmeri,ed.
We were recently on an expedition intend
ed to have been carried through to Little
Rock; we got as far as Rolla by rail, and
received dispatch which brought US back
to these barracks again, where we are now
awaiting orders. | was somewhat disap.
pointed in the country southwest Of here
it is rough and broken, and the stubble in
dicates not so strong soil as our Iowa
loan. Expected to find Rolla town Of
considerable importance, it being for some
time past the terminus Of the Springfield
Railroad, but it is only very small, miser-
able town and except the Railroad buildings
and one hotel the buildings are all small,
wooden affairs; the other towns en- route
are smaller still. The work on the farms
is very backward, the slave population
having found their way to these barracks,
the great recruiting depot of the A. d.
(African DescenD troops, conducted by
Brig. Gen. w. A. Pile. The 6sth Regi-
ment of U. S. A. DIS is nearly full.
1t is thought We will soon be sent to Ken
lucky and put on the trail Of the noted
rebel guerrilla chief, Gen. Forrest. If we
are thus destined wont there be fun and
fighting? We nave Colonel who is Just
q match for old Forrest. Yes, Sir, if the
old war horse, Col. Trumbull can't nab
Forrest there is no use Of any one else try
ing; his past military history shows him
to be man who has and will 'dare and
d." and there is an expression in his every
feature that tells the observer that he is the
man for that place; he has, toe, body Of
men who will follow him to victory or death.
have much confidence in our field officers
and especially Col T., and believe bright
page in the history of our country will be
filled 40 the honor and pride of our Sta,e
by this same Bloody Ninth" and its dar-
ing commander. Give us but the oppor-
tunity and our conduct shall be such as our
friends at home shall not blush to point to-
have the pleasure, dear old TINES, to
subscribe myself,
Yours, very truly,
BENZ. CoHTAL,
Company F,