I have just set down
to write you a letter. I have a great deal to write and but little time to
write in. I have been very busy for the two days I have been here. It was very
rainy the day we came in and cleaning up and geting settled is quite a chore. I
wrote a very short letter the day we left Burlington stateing that we was about
to leave We had a very pleasant trip down to this place We were from Monday
noon untill Wednesday morning but we lay up; one night above the Keokuk rappids
I was very glad as it gave me a chance to pass Canton and many other towns in
the day time, we did not pass any town but what the Glorious old Stripes and
Stars were seen floating from some part although some were said to be quite
rank secessionists The finest looking City I see was Quincy, we stoped there
about two hours. The Iowa third Infantry was encamped there, I believe to
recrute awhile. and to my surprise I came across Charlie James from Camanche
Township.24 He said he expected to go home on a furlough soon, if he
dose you will see him and an hours chat would be interesting as he was in the
Battle of Blue mills25 & severel skirmishes. I set up all night
on the boat to see the Bluffs and cave above Alton I could not distinguish the
cave but the rocks I could see planely, I also see the mouths of the Ills. and
Mo. rivers We arrived in St. Louis about 7 oclock in the morning It shows to
good advantage to the river, It was a long time before we could land as the
levee for two miles was crowded with steam boats I tell you, St. Louis is a
large city and things look warlike. There is a great many Gun boats building
and the streets are lined with soldiers canons are seen drawn through the
streets with other arms and shiped to the different camps. The St. Louis
streets are very narrow. Our camp is just out of the City and five miles from
the river I thought we would never find the M. Barracks,26 although
we were tired the march from the boat was more interesting than I thought it
could be, as we were cheered from evry side and the seens of a city to a
country greenhorn were all new, When we arrived at Benton Barracks I found the
best Quarters I ever seen I will send a View of the Barracks in a newspaper I
believe there is about 7,000 thousand soldiers encamped here and in the Fare
Grounds adjoining. On this sheet there is a view of the fare grounds on review
day There is soldiers from Iowa, Ill, Wis, and many other states they are
comeing and leaving evry day. By the way I said Isaac and his company were all
here when we arrived, Well they had marching orders yesterday they saddled and
packed their things but did not get off untill today three oclock they have a
part of their arms and expect to go by Jefferson Barracks and get the rest of
their arms. Jef. Barks, is about five miles below St. Louis. I do not know how
many soldiers are encamped their I do not know where Isaac is going but he will
undoubtedly see a fight before he gets back I was sorry to see him leave, but
still I was very anxious to go with him, but I know I shall have a chance
before long to smell Rebble Powder, When I look around me and see so much that
Government has done and has to do, I do not wonder at its slow movements as we
used to call them Evrything here is on the strict order I was on guard today
and it is night now, soon will be tattoo when all lights have to be
extinguished I have only received your two letters that you sent to Burlington
since I left home Except one from H. H. Judson and Aaron I should like to get
some letters from any body (only so I get some) I came across some of Mr.
Lafayette Tallmans Relations the day before we left Burlington some of their
boys came to camp and when they found who we were and where from, nothing would
do but that we should go out in the country about 2 miles where they lived and
see them We did so and had a good dinner and an excellent visit, They wanted I
should write so Tallman would know it, They said tell Tallman that Old Aunt
Elen of Henry county was dead. This Tallmans name is Thomas _____ The Iowa eighth
Rej. left here two or three days before we came in I was sorry for I should
like to have seen some of the Eden boys. Isaac said that John Dam was left here
in the Hospital. Was not able to go with the Rej. I have not had time to go and
see him yet but think I shall go tomorrow If I can get a pass. I expect when I
leave here that I will not be allowed to carry any thing except what I can
carry in my saddle so I will have to send my carpet sack home or give it away
as soon as I get my arms I intend having my likeness taken again and send home
I only wish I could get all of yours I believe you might send them all in one
case that is taken on single plates Again I wish you all might be here to see
the encampment and see the soldiers drill &c one day if no more The talk is
that we will get our pay soon. I do not know but hope we will for many of the
Boys are out of money I have plenty as yet however I do not know how long we
may stay here yet but I guess the best way is to send your letters here as they
are all forwarded on after evry company You must all write to me evry one of my
folkes and direct to, Benton Barracks, St. Louis Mo. Company M 1st Ia. Cavalry
P. S. Give my love
to all my friends and receive this from your affectionate son.
23 Benton Barracks, also called Camp Benton,
was just outside St. Louis. It was the chief point of assembly for the Union
armies in Missouri late in 1861 and early in 1862.
24 Camanche Township in which the town of
Camanche, Iowa, is located, lies along the Mississippi River a few miles
southwest of Clinton.
25 This refers to the action at Blue Mills
Landing (about five miles from Liberty, Clay County, Missouri), on September
17, 1861. About 4400 Confederates attacked 900 Union men and the latter were
forced to retire. Union losses were about 130 killed and wounded, the
Confederate about 160. The Third Iowa Infantry, as Gulick reports, was engaged.
—Official Records: War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. III, pp.
193-195. This series was published by the Government Printing Office at
Washington, 1880-1898.
26 That part of Benton Barracks occupied by
Company M of Gulick's regiment.
SOURCE: Benjamin F.
Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28
(1930), pp. 210-3.
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