SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1861.
Quincy
We left St. Joseph this morning at 6 o’clock on the Hannibal & St. Joseph R.R. for Quincy, Ill, where we arrived at 2 o’clock Sunday morning. We had a pleasant journey.
At Chillicothe I saw friend Miller (the Jew), who used to keep store in Winterset. We were glad to see the Boys; they were up waiting for us.
SUNDAY 20
Quincy, Ill. 3rd
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.
Quincy is a beautiful town. Went to church this evening with Capt. Ogg.
Health good.
MONDAY 21
Quincy, Ill. 3rd Inf.
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.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1861.
Quincy
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
Quincy, Ill.
The weather is fine and cool, quite heavy frost at night.
We drill four hours per day, Company Drill from 9 to 11 o’clock A.M., Battalion Drill from 2 to 4 o’clock P.M., Dress Parade 5 P.M.
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, Western Service.
THURSDAY 24
Quincy, Ill.
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 today. Went downtown this evening; took a walk over the fine city of Quincy, which is pleasant to think of, not alone, to look at.
Health moderate.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1861.
Quincy
The ladies of Quincy propose to give us a picnic today. I was detailed to assist them in arranging the table, which was covered with delicacies of all kinds.
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
Quincy, Ill.
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
Quincy, Ill.
I put on my fix-up [refurbished attire] and went to the 2nd Baptist Church on Vermont St. Heard an excellent discourse on the depravity of the human heart.
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.
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 where I again heard another excellent discourse. WCNewlon
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1861.
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
Quincy, Ill., 3rd Iowa
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
Quincy, Ill.
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.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1861.
Quincy, Ill, 3rd
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
Quincy, Ill.
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
Quincy, Ill., 3rd
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.
Quincy, Ill.
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 to send all they could spare home to their friends, and not spend it foolishly, nor in a slave state. But to take good care of it so they could have something to fall back on after they were discharged from the service.
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 3rd than any regiment from the Patriotic State of Iowa.”
Again requesting his comrades to send the money home they could spare, we were dismissed.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1861.
Quincy, Ill, Camp Wood
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 eleven o’clock, went to church (New School), not a very good sermon.
After service took a walk with Wm Wright into the country east of town.
Quincy, Ill, 3rd Iowa
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
Quincy, Ill, Camp Wood, 3rd
At 9 o’clock A.M. 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
Camp Wood, 3rd Iowa, Quincy
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
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1861.
Camp Wood, Quincy, Ill.
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, six P.M. has come and no pay yet.
Health moderate.
THURSDAY 7
Camp Wood, Quincy
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 $57.70, happy day for the 3rd.
Tomorrow we have orders to march to St. Louis.
FRIDAY 8
Camp Wood, Quincy, Ill.
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 bye to all.
W.C.N.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1861.
Aboard Steamer White Cloud, M.R.
This morning we broke up our camp at Quincy; marched down to the landing where we formed a line, and for the first time drummed a member of Company A out of the service.
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*.
River M
After this was over we repaired to the boat and soon were on our way to St. Louis, the steamer White Cloud bearing us down the mighty waters.
This evening being rather dark & it not being very safe to travel after night, at 9 o’clock we tied up till morning.
My next Blog will pick up Will's narrative at Benton Barracks, St Louis.
My next Blog will pick up Will's narrative at Benton Barracks, St Louis.
Chris
* The tune was known as "The Rogue's March" and was played when military and/or civil rogues, criminals, offenders and various undesirable characters were drummed from camps and cantonments.
amaranthpublishing.com/rogues.html
amaranthpublishing.com/rogues.html
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