The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-10-16
From the First Iowa Cavalry.
CAMP OF THE 1sr Iowa CAVALRY, WI
MAR HRxsrEAD, Texas, SEPT. 9Th, 1885


Editor Of Gate City:
DEAR SIR-During the past war you have
always taken great interest in the welfare of
soldiers in general, and especially in the vel
fare of the soldiers of Iowa. Now as the
war is over, and portion of the soldiers are
still in the service of the United States, and
will very likely remain so for while yet,
expect you would like to hear from them, and
know how they get along. am sorry to say
that our condition is in no way pleasant, and
the treatment we receive is more suited for
a felon than for soldier that has served his
country for over four years. / will state TO
you few facts which transpired since Gen.
Clusters division was formed. The division
consists of the 4th, 9th and 18th Illinois. eth
Indiana, LIST Iowa and I'd Wisconsin cavalry.
All these regiments were stationed in and
around Memphis till sometime in June, when
they was ordered to Alexandria, La, where
we arrived about the 1st day of July, very
much fatigued and worn out not so much
from duty as from heat, then so many were
slowed together on the boat, that more than
half the detachment had to take up quarters
on the hurricane deck, in the hot broiling
sun.
After going into camp at Alexandria, we
expected some rest, but in that we were dis
appointed, there camp-guard and fatigue
duty was the order of the day, and it was
more frequent, there man was AZ hours on
duty, and "A hours off, then the opposite.
Orders were issued of the most insulting
kind, and without cause, head-shaving and
flashing was, and is yet, threatened as punish
ment for transgressions. Such disgraceful
orders were issued to men who left home and
friends at the first call for soldiers; to help to
put down the rebellion, and to save the Union
and the Constitution, to men who served du-
ring the war, and fought in many bloody
battle with honor to themselves and the ma
ton.
Can any body wonder that such orders
caused the greatest dissatisfaction, and a
great many desertions. l don't mention them
orders to you because | wish some one should
take our side, and save us from getting our
heads shaved. On, no, we all know our duty
too WE'LL and know how to obey; but if our
friends at home should read them orders In
some newspaper, and find ont they were is
sued for our special benefit, they might think
all the soldiers in this division had turned to
be savages.
August sth we started on march to Hous-
ton, Texas, a distance of about $50 miles
through one of the hottest parts of the Uni
ted States, in the hottest season of the year.
Two days before we started on this march,
We were out of rations of any kind except
s. bareback and coffee, and we did not draw
any more rations till the 18th day of August.
So we had to go it on "hard-tack' and coffee
alone for FIVE days. On the whole trip we
had no other kind of meat than fresh beef,
except one days ration of bacon. Salt was
very scarce, and not an ounce of soap did we
receive. BY mention of short rations, Mr..
Editor, you must not understand that we were
cut short out of necessity, no. sir. there was
no need for it. In time of war it was very
often necessary to put men on half, and even
quarter rations, and ! know one time we had
only one ''hard tack for three DAYS, and not
anything else besides: but we put up with it
cheerfuly, then we knew at the time the Gen
eral In command of that army done all that
lay in his power to obtain rations, but an
overwhelming enemy cut off the supplies.
But now there is no enemy to contend with
and transportation must be plenty; from the
very fact as the army of the United States is
reduced, at least one half, and there was
enough transportation for the whole of it.
From the Sth to the 9th day of August,
both inclusive, we had reveille at o'clock in
the morning, and marched at four, and during
that whole period there was no rest-day for
eigher man or horse.
Gen. Custer was accompanied by his wife
who rode by the Generals side most of the
way, and in case she should get tired there
was an ambulance, which was fitted up for
sleeping wagon, following just behind the
staff, to accommodate the weary. Besides q
private orderly to every officer, there was a
fatigue party of corporal and ten men detail
ed out of the escort, for the special benefit of
the commanding General and his staff. The
duty of the fatigue party on the march was
to take all headquarters tents down and to
load them and all officers baggage on wagons
and after arriving on new camping ground
to unload the tents and baggage, set the tents
up, and build over the sleeping wagon, into
which Mrs. Custer meanwhile has retired, q
brush shed of about l6 or Is feet square. All
this was done in the hottest past of the day,
regardless Of the suffering of the men which
done the work, while the officers made them
selves comfortable under shady tree.
1t seems this army is going to remain here
for some time. then the work of building
sheds was greatly extended, for the use. of the
commanding General, one hospital-tent, a
common wall-tent for kitchen, and another
one over sink have been pitched. The hos
pital-tent is covered by a brush shed, then one
shade running back from the tent about four.
teen feet, under which stands the sleeping
wagon, and also one shade Of the same al.
mansions in front of the tent. The kitchen
tent also has a shade in front, of about sir.
teen feet square. Next, and about ten yards
from the Generals tent, is a wall-tent, with
shade over 1t, and in front of it, for the use
Of A. A. General Green and lady. Ten yards
further on were lodgings, erected of the same
description, to accommodate Capt. lockwood
and lady. The main work stands off about
thirty yards, and in line with Can't Rock.
woods tent, and is for the accommodation of