Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-09-27
A Night on the Prairie.
By A SOLDIER.

Arkansas. we were encamped on the
Western bank-had Just crossed. The
dreaded desert lay before US, sixty miles
without wood or water. 1t was determin-
ed to march by night, for the sake of the
trains, as until that distance was accom-
plished the cattle would not get drop.
We broke up at 5 P. NJ, and not without
many misgivings, and much apprehension
Of severe suffering, we plunged into the
dseert. We toiled the heavy sand until
near midnight, when it became so dark
that it was impossible for the trains to
keep the road. The men were ordered
to lie down in their blankets, without
tents, until it should becom, light enough
to see the trail.
Knapsacks were unstrapped in twink
ling and down we went, every where
and any where, and were soon buried in
a deep sleep which only tired soldier
knows. How long slept l know not,
but was awoke by combination Of
noises which exceeded any thing could
ever imagine. Feeling sensation as of
water running down my back, l put out
my hand to sound, was lying in four
inches of water, my blanket was thorough
ly soaked and weighed about hundred
pounds-With groan Of despair l strug-
gled up with some difficulty to sitting
posture on my knapsack, and peeping out
l endeavored to assertion where I was
and how came there. A prairie storm
was raging with all its awful fury. Ten
Thousand pieces of artillery exploding at
once would have been deep and pro-
found silence, or at best but maiden's
whisper, compared with the stunning,
deafening crash of Heavens artillery.
The rain came down in torrents, and
the lightning but it is folly to attempt to
describe it. discovered by its continu-
Gus blaze, certain number of poor
wretches, crawling around the wagons,
shrouded in blankets rather moist, and up
to their knees in water. Some of the
rascals affected to be cheerful; principal
ly those who had got under the wagons.
It was wretched attempt, though, and
failed signally. While sitting on my
knapsack inthis forlorn condition, meditat-
ing whether to call cab or get into an
omnibus and 60 home, or sit there out Of
spite, the water had absolutely risen, so
that the knapsack was floating from under
me, and l was obliged to abandon it, with
its contents, which were ruined: no small
misfortune, / assure you. My blanket
too, l left to its fate, and it foated on to
pats unknown Ito me at this time. y
Taking my musket under my arm, rush
ed through what seemed to me small
lake, and gained wagon tongue whereon
! perched until morning. A more miser-
able night ! never passed. While roost-
ing, l was amused with a soldier who had
crawled under the wagon, and was solilo-
quizing in sing-song, menagerie like
tone Of voice. Yes, gentlemen, this is the
far famed American desert, sixty miles
without water, no rain falls here, but the
dew is sometimes exceedingly heavy
This is only Arkansas dew, men. Who
wouldn't be soldier? ask who would
Mt sell good farm, leave comfortable
house and be soldier? l wouldn't do
any thing else, etc. Day broke at last,
and with it came knowledge Of our posi-
ton.
We had bivouacked in small circular
hollow surrounded by low eminences,
whence the water had poured down upon
us. recovered my effects, piece by piece,
as they foated ashore, and while hastily
wringing and packing them, took survey
Of the scene. The men were wading
about, fishing up from the bottom: musk
cts, accoutrements, &c. Chilled to the
very heart, as you may suppose, we wait
ed not for the drum to beat, nor any regu-
lar formation; but as soon as it was light
enough to see the trail, away we WENT
We travelled fast that morning, and it was
necessary.