The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-01-29
TIE GATE CITY.
KEOKUK:
FRIDAY, JANUARY ~.



TEERo, =. =.
HrAsesasrns lsr Iowa voLs, D.
Camp Pile, nseR Hslena, Ark. Jan. uth. lsoA
Editor Gate Cay:-In compliance with
marching orders, at 9 .. M, 14th Dec.
last, oar regiment moved out of Benton
Barrscks and started for lower "Dixie."
Twas in the midst of severe and chill
ling snow-storm, but our boys appeared
content and happy and marched off gay
and lively to the animating tap Of the
drum, paying proper respect to Col. Bon
niville as they passed headquarters, and
giving long and repeated cheers for the
Union. HOS
Led by Col. Hudson We proceeded to
the levee, passing through the city, the
boys singing "0ld John Brown" liking
dom Comm, aud "Ysar Oh Jubilee" to
the great delight and amusement of the
loyal people, but to the awful chagrin Of
those who 'can't bear to see = niger
solejer." - g5a A~l goa
We we're reviewed by Gen. Scho6eld
at his headquarters on Washington Ave.
nue., who passed many complimentary re-
marks upon the discipline and soldierly
bearing of the 1st Iowa A. D. Some
accident happening the machinery Of the
boat, we were compelled to lie upon the
levee-cold and raw Is the weather was-
till the morning Of the 10th, when
jammed together and piled up tightly up
on the W. L. Ewing, We bid farewell to
the "smoky city" and pushed off for the
"Sunny South"
At this time the measles and mumps-
as in all new regiments-were committing
their fearful ravages and prostrating the
men on the right and left to an alarming
extent. Therefore, not few we're left
in the hospital, and great many we're
transported very sick. And from the
want Of comfort and care during transpor-
tasion, and the necessary exposure in the
open field, the mortality in our regiment
since here has been fearful. We buried
thirteen the first week, but the health of
ALL am proud to SAYS fast improv-
ing, and soon they will be call right
again.
We arrived here safely on the goth.
formed on the levee, marched to our
camping ground thrce-quarters of mile
northwest Of town, stacked arms and in
short time presented to the view a
beautiful little village of snow-white
houses, occasionally darkensd by the busy
throug of our dusky warriors.
Twas real admirable sight to one who
loves romance and the varied scenes of
the "tented ield"-all appearing content
and happy-some singing, others laugh
ing and lowering around the campfire.
cheerfuIly eating soldiers supper.
We have no opportunity to drill here,
even were the weather and other things
favorable. The white troops do the pick
citing and scouting, while the colored are
employed on fatigue, loading transports
and handling Government property. 1t
is the policy of the military authorities at
present to relieve. as far as possible, old
egimen's from labOrious duties ubstitu-
ting in their stead new regiments, and
especially colored troops.
They put them right through here
just measure man for al he is worth.
and lay it out to him accordingly.
Helena is the base of supplies to Little
Rock. and is therefore very important
military post. Outside of the business
connected with the Government there is
scarcely any business doing here at all.-
1t shows the blighting effects and fright
full ravages of civil war to an alarming
degree. But eighteen months ago. when
Curtis advance entered, it was a beautiful,
pleasant and fourishing Southern town.
Now it looks wofulIy deserted and DESC
late-walks ruined, fencing destroyed,
nearly all the churches occupied by
troops, buildings dirty and dilapidated,
fancy dwellings used az commanders
headquarters, and it's once aristocratic in
habitants gone to seek their "rights' ia
the further South, while mud. dirt and
NTH reign supreme and contrabands walk
Lords of this God-forsaken region. I,s
present Inhabitants consist principally Of
portion OF Uncle Sans family, a few
loyal and decent men. goodl number
Of Northern spectators, the majority Of
whom are, like the reckless school. how
whose whole soul is encompassed within
the circumference of msrble-r;no -
different as to what is going on, and don't
"give continental" which side win, 80
as they escape the CONSUMPTION and s,l
their pockets with the ssalmghty dollar. :,
great number of clever and very re.ns.
table cOntrabands and