The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-05-10


Frank r Blair.
CAMP At RIRD's PoIrr,
May l, 1864.
We left St. Louis on Friday night At
nine O'Clock, on the. new and elegant
steamer "Arthur." Capt. Campbell, one
of the most splendid new steamers on the
river. and on her first trip-she was
built at Pistsburg Our regiment Was
the only one aboard, and the patriots
on the way down sustained most admira.
bly, the high character they have won for
discipline--not single instance Of disor-
derby conduct occurring on the trip. We
arrived At Cairo on Saturday morning,
and without disembarking, came over
here and went into camp in an orchard,
where we found some OLD log barracks,
and used the shingles for flooring our
tents. which Quartermaster Elliott drew
the same day.
At St. Louis We made our regulations
for camp and garrison equipage, but were
refused any wall-tents except for the field
and staff, and we're offered shelter-tenss
only for company officers and enlisted
men. As We we're not ssxu Su's 1, e name
applied to the Zuaves Of the New York
and New Jersey regiments on the march
to Meridian, who started out carrying
shelter-tents strapped on top of thar
knapsacks, making load enough for .
mule, 1--WE didn't see it," and refused
to take them, as it was said we would
have but one team to regiment-by an
order from General Sherman. We have
drawn two teams here, but will most
probably have to turn over our tents and
go without them. Company officers are
to carry their own 'grub," taking three
days. rations, which is expected to last
FIVE. 1t has now become . grave ques-
ton with Us which ranks, company off
Ger or one of Uncle Sans mules.
Major Pomutz has gone up the Ten
nessee River in command of the non-vete-
rams of our brigade; also the new recruits
and detachments from seven other regi.
ments, making command equal to q
brigade Of four ordinary regiments. The
18th Iowa and several other regiment,
have also gone, and troops are constantly
going every day.
We were mustered for pay to-day, ans
have orders to march, but if We remain
two days longer will perhaps be paid 70,
two months.
| have been writing the above Will.
on picket and am Just relieved, and con.
tinus my letter on board the steamer Johr
II Dickey, upon which our regiment ant
the. 18th Iowa are embarked We viii
60 up the Tennessee River. Our brigad
for the. time being will be under the com
mand Of Col. Hall, of the 18th. and viii
be the First Brigade, 18th, 18th, 18th
10th and the Sd Iowa added to it, in th,
4th Division. commanded by Brig. Gen
Crocker (vho is now bere) 10 the 18th
Army Corps, to which Maj. Gen. Prank
P. Blair has been assigned by the Presi-
dent. He has not yet arrived
Major General Hurlbut is now at Cair
awaiting orders. Col. Binnaker, of tn
l2ed ILL.,, commands the post While
write we are landing at the wharf Cair
is improving very rapidly, and is destine,
to be to Southern Illinois what Chicago i
TO the North. Merchants here undersel
their neighbors in St. Louis. The tow
Is being graded above high water mark
and many substantial buildings have bee1
erected, and notwithstanding heavy take,
for grading. property is selling at higl
prices.
Lieut.. Mitchell, late OF Brig. Genera
Reds staff, has been detailed as ordinanc,
officer of the post.
Notice of Lieut., Myers resignation
rendered some time ago, while he wa
sick, has just been received since his re
covery. he is now with our regiment
but will 60 home to 60 into the militia ser
vice under the new call for one hundre,
days. Lieut.. Hof has also rendered hi
resignation.
Captain Porter'is very sick at the Pcs
Hospital, of which DR.. John P. Tace.rt
very estimiable gentleman and surgeon
who halls from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, be
charge.
We have just received orders to trov
over our tents which were used only on,
night, and shall soon chang our hirps''
on the cotton wood bushes which grow Il
"the waste bowling wilderness'' down
here in Egypt more luxurantly than vii.
lows. and be "oph" to the wars again.
Gen. Sherman is hurrying up the forces
We look for breakers ahead-he mean,
work. Our destination i up the Ten
nessos River, to Clifton below Pittsburo
Landing. aud march thence across III,
country one hundred and forty miles &
Huntsville, Alabama. the expedition to 5,
under command Of Brig. Force, 40 Gen
Croker, who is temporarily in commanl
OF the nth Army Corps, will await the
arrival Of Maj. Gen. Blair before leavin,
here -Ss-'-'-','' - =
Night has closed in and With Il Ii.
triu'nphs Of many little "Mav Da,
Queen-sweet dreams to them n.
newly married spatriots'' have bean "a,
busy Writing to their wiyes. Nev r.
cruiss filing the mails with lette,s--ha,
like school girls who vow eternal friend.
ship at parting they get gloriousiy ove,
itsfter Marriage. War, too, viii AMI
their rounancing md letter writisg.
A N Il q ~ " 49,