100
We left St. Joseph Quincy , Ill
At Chillicothe
SUNDAY 20
I slept a little this morning, awoke, found myself surrounded by old associates whom I had not seen for 5 weeks.
I went downtown, found Mc[Claughy], had a good talk. Succeeded in getting a place for my Negroes.
Health good.
MONDAY 21
Our camp is in a very nice situation, one mile from the Landing at the north part of town. We are not confined, but have liberty to go to town when we please.
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I have come to the conclusion that we are particularly favored by having the privilege of staying in this a liberty-loving state. How happy I feel to think I am in this patriotic state.
My health is moderate, yet not so good as I would wish. My lungs trouble me very much at night.
Yours, W.C. Newlon
WEDNESDAY 23
The weather is fine and cool, quite heavy frost at night.
We drill four hours per day, Company Drill from to , Battalion Drill from to , Dress Parade
I think it will have a tendency to improve the health of the Company.
We have the name of being the best-drilled regiment in Missouri
THURSDAY 24
The weather still continues to be fine and clear.
I think I can almost see an improvement in the health of the men.
I wrote a letter to [Miss] M.A.C., Page Co., Iowa Quincy
Health moderate.
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The ladies of Quincy
After dinner we repaired to the parade ground where a friendly dance, participated in by ladies & gents, after which Major [William M.] Stone made a very nice speech. W.C. Newlon
SATURDAY 26
I feel refreshed after such a gallant [a young man of fashion, ladies’ man] with the ladies.
Drilling occupies the greater portion of the day, so that not much time is spent in idleness. For my part, I am always on duty writing letters or something of an equal importance.
I walk downtown most every day, which is always pleasant. W.C. Newlon
SUNDAY 27
I put on my fix-up [refurbished attire] and went to the 2nd Baptist Church
The building was one of those fine church edifices usually found in cities. The music was such as could challenge comparison with any of the fine music of Germany
From Page 102
After service Wm Wright & I took a short walk over the city, then returned to camp where I spent the remainder of the day.
At eve I again returned to town after visiting about 20 different churches. I found myself again at the Baptist Church
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3rd Iowa Quincy , Ill.
I was very restless last night. I coughed a good deal.
The usual routine commences this morning - drill, drill, drill - and I have so many letters to write which takes all my leisure time, so that I cannot get much time to read.
This evening, as usual, the ladies appeared on the parade ground as sheep having no shepherd.
TUESDAY 29
The weather is still very cool; almost every day is cool enough for an overcoat.
I am on guard today, the first time in two months. And, oh, how windy it is! I think I never saw the wind blow so hard in my life, to blow all day. I think I will try and make it.
WEDNESDAY 30
After standing guard all night, I don’t feel as good as I might feel.
I am cook today. And, I tell you, I got a magnificent dinner; so near perfect that a single objection could not be raised.
I really do wish for tattoo [a call sounded shortly before taps as notice to go to quarters] so that I could go to bed. Sweet sleep, hail thou! W.C.N.
104
Well, all things are passing off for good.
I have adopted a rule to get up before daylight every morning.
Drill hours keep me pretty busy to attend to other things, writing letters, &c, &c.
I have a very bad cold; my system is deranged.
W.C.Newlon, Winterset , Iowa
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
I got a pass this morning; went downtown. Took a walk to the hospital; found Mc pretty sick with the measles.
The hospital is full of patients. One of our company by the name, Burger, is very low; cannot speak above his breath. Death appears to stare him in the face. He may recover yet.
Pay Day
SATURDAY 2
This morning we drilled a short time, after which the battalion was formed; marched downtown to escort the Paymaster to camp. He had not arrived in town, so we did not escort him. However, we marched to the river; formed a line; loaded & fired by company into the river.
After this, we went up town; stacked arms on Main St; took a rest.
After resting half hour or so, we returned to camp; formed a hollow square on the parade ground.
Major Stone, in center, made a short speech to officers and soldiers, informing them that they would receive their pay in a very short time and that this regiment could send home $75,000.
And, he would advise all who had friends in Iowa
Also, that the 3rd Regiment was better thought of and had more true friends than any regiment from Iowa
He also said that we had been tried, even at the bloody scene at Blue Mills, upon that day when it tried the souls of men. Said he, “There are more prayers ascending to the throne of Grace for the Iowa Patriotic State Iowa
Again requesting his comrades to send the money home they could spare, we were dismissed.
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I got a pass this morning; went to the hospital. McClaughy not any better.
While there, a member of our company by the name of Daniel Burger died - disease Consumption and Bronchitis.
At , went to church (New School
After service took a walk with Wm Wright into the country east of town.
After eating all the apples we desired, we returned to town, passing by Ex-Governor Wood’s mansion, which is situated 1 ½ miles from the landing.
This is decidedly the finest building & location in the city. From the top of the house you have a commanding view of the city & river, which certainly is a magnificent view.
MONDAY 4
At we buried our brother soldier, D. Burger, with all the honors of war, which is by firing a salute of three volleys, nine rounds each.
I am on post duty today. The weather is fine, which makes it quite pleasant for me. There is not so much responsibility resting upon outposts here, as in the enemy’s land.
TUESDAY 5
I got a pass this morning; went downtown. Visited the hospital, all improving except McClaughy. He is very much discouraged.
The paymaster arrived today; I presume we will get our pay very shortly.
I feel quite unwell this evening, the effect of being up last night on duty. W.C. Newlon
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The camp is alive this morning, all expecting their first money from Uncle Sam. I don’t much expect to get mine this day, and in fact, I have become so that I cannot believe anything unless I know it to be a fact.
Well, has come and no pay yet.
Health moderate.
THURSDAY 7
The sun rose upon our camp this morning in great splendor. What will happen to us this day? Will anything strange - Strange did I say? - Yes, and it was strange.
The government this day paid each of the 3rd Iowa
Tomorrow we have orders to march to St. Louis
FRIDAY 8
On account of paying off the sick at the hospital, it was found impossible to remove today.
I got a pass for downtown; had a good time generally. My friend, Willis Brown, and I went to a saloon and feasted gloriously on oysters to our heart’s content.
Returned to camp. Slept soundly.
Good be to all. W.C.N.
On Our Way to St. Louis
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Aboard Steamer White Cloud, M.R.
This morning we broke up our camp at Quincy
Offense was for knocking down one of his fellow soldiers and robbing him of his money. One side of his head was shorn in the presence of his comrades and was marched along the line, the musicians playing the Rogue’s March.[1]
River M
After this was over we repaired to the boat and soon were on our way to St. Louis
This evening being rather dark & it not being very safe to travel after night, at we tied up till morning.
[1] An organized legion of Irish deserters from the US Dulles , VA
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