Year: 1861

AeS"heht IS sun at tnlS cantOnment, your
readers might peruse with interest any in
telligence concerning their friends who re-
main with this "rescrve." Six companies
have been sent away in different directions
in search Of something to do for the cause
which has enlisted their services in this
hour Of their country's need, and we ex-
pcct to hear good account Of them. The
remaining six companies are making prep.
ara,ions as rapidly as possible for an active
campaign whenever marching orders are
received. Col. Warren is an indcfatigable
worker and is providing everything neccs-
sary for the comfort and convenience of the
soldiers, and the companies arc very nearly
fitted out with everything requisite for the
cavalry service. Some of the boys com.
plain that they are getting 50 many traps
that their hsrses will be loaded down to
such an extent as to preclude the possibility
Of retreat! The health Of all the soldiers
at Benton Barracks is excellent; to be sure,
there are some few cases of sickness, but
nothing serious. My old friend j. w.
Granger, Of Allamakce, has been stopping
here for several days, visiting his sons who
belong to company X, Of our cavalry reg-
mcnt. lie will return home tomorrow
with one Of his sons who has been in the
hospital for some time, but has obtained
furlough on account Of i'll health. There
are three Of the Changers in our company
so the family is pretty well represented
Seth Martin and Archibald McArthus have
been discharged from the service on &C.
count Of bad health, and have returned to
their homes in Clayton; the company,
however, is still full, as we have two new
recruits, Morris Granger and Ebenezer Col.
lins, who supply the places Of those who
have received a, discharge. t...s


Company K is universally conceded to
be one Of the first companies in the entire
regiment. We have good officers, gentle
manly and accommodating, who do all in
their power to contribute to the comfort of
their men. Capt. Freeman's health is still
delicate, so much SO as to deter him from
active drill, and he designs going home in
order to regain his health and strength, if
possible, by the time We are called into the
field. You are probably aware that WIN.
II. Muzzy has been promoted to the Office
of Battalion Quartermaster, with the rank
of Lieutenant; very good appointment,
by the by, as he is one Of the best men in
the regiment. The boys are getting little
tired Of camp life and are anxious to be on
the march. The monotony Of camp life is
irksome to men who have enlisted in the
service of their country from purely patri.
otic instead Of mercenary motives.


The ID Iowa regiment is now quartercd
here for the purpose of recruiting their
health, and they may remain during the
winter. Out Of the regiment there are only
some four hundred men fit for duty. A
great many of the sick and worn out sol.
iicrs were left at the hospital in Cairo
That regiment has had severe campaign
and it has told with fearful effect upon the
ranks. There are but few troops stationed
here at present; as soon as regiment is
armed and equipped it is sent into the field.
The seth Illinois left two or three days ago
for Maryland via Chicago. How soon We
shall receive marching orders is only known
to the ''powers that be-" On yesterday
the cavalry and infantry were called out to
attend the funeral Of an officer belonging
to the 18th Missouri. 1t was . grand
affair, but the dusty condition of the roads
rendered it very unpleasant. The clouds
Of dust blinded and almost sufocated US.
Our company could not have looked worse
had we been in an engagement with the
enemy. But will conclude this dull com.
Our camp life furnishes moth
ing Of an interesting or startling character,
but when we get out on march among
the rebels, something will probably trans
pire that might interest your readers.


Yours resignedly.


F.