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Show 98 THE DEAD SEA But before we go to the Lake, as I may not have occa sion again to refer to Camp Douglas or its officers, I will take the present opportunity of alluding to some of them. Colonel Lewis is the officer, par excellence, of his bat talion. I met him for the first time at Fort Kearney, as I stated in a previous letter, and the favorable impressions then formed have only been increased, after three months* association with him in a subordinate capacity. If it were not for the fear of displeasing him, or bringing a blush to his modest face, I would venture to mention wherein I con sider him one of the best officers, of any rank, with whom I have served. Opportunities often make men, and it is only for the want of an opportunity that his name is not now familiar to the country as a prominent officer during the war. During all that time he was serving on the frontier. I should not do justice to my feelings if I said less of him, and even this allusion may meet his disapprobation. Major Benham was another to whom I became attached on the march. For bravery, honesty and unselfishness he cannot be excelled. He is a little reserved to a stranger, but a true friend when he forms an attachment, and as a company officer, among the best in his regiment. Captain McClintock was, perhaps, my most intimate associate, and a very companionable gentleman, as well as a good officer. His charming lady, who accompanied us through, was esteemed by every one, and every one who esteemed her loved the lovely little Ettie, a sweet infant daughter, who made the journey in the first half- year of her existence. v But 1 must drop personalities and go on with my visit to the Lake. It is about eighteen miles from the city to Black Rock, a noted landmark on the beach, near where the Cal ifornia road first strikes the border of the lake. The lake is about eighty or ninety miles in length, from north to south, and about sixty in its greatest width from east to west. It contains a number of islands, that rise from the water to mountain heights. The most southern of them is known as Church Island, where the herds belonging to the church, |