The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-08
CAMP LYON, BooNvILLE, No, }
Sept. 22. 1861.


Sept 22, 1861.
FRIEND RrcH Having draacn one
more stamp, and fished up sheet Of pa
per, thought would dlop a line, Just
to lot you know we are all alive and wer.
One OF our boys received letter from
home few days since, informing hdm
that he and two other Of the bows had
been killed, and several wounded in n
hight with the rebels. But as they show
ed no signs of being kW, we wait con-
hrmation of the report We arrived at
this place one week ago to-day, at /
O'Clock, A. NJ. News had come that the
Home Guards were being cut to pieces.
On arriving here we found the fleets, to
be that on the Friday before there had
been hard fight between 1GO Home
Guards and 800 rebels. The result was
that the rebels fed. leaving abou, 40 kill.
ed, and quite a number wounded. Col
Brown, comman ling the rebels, and his
brother Captain, were both killed. Tie
Guards had the advantage of a small
carthwork, built by Gen. Lvon after b;s
victory here One of our boys asked a
member of the Home Guards WHY the
rebels did not rush up and storm ths
works. His reply was "our bullets vas
50 tam tick de tam towards kept behind
the trees all the while" We are now
pleasantly campcd on the battle ground
amidst fine grove of butiernut and wal.
nut trees.
Tuesday morning Companies E and II
iv4aro-4ardasad- .s-- r,oS.l. ...;,L
els were trying to burn the bridge over
the Lamine, 9 miles west of here.
Away we went in high spirits. Blu. we
were again doomed to cruel dissppofat-
ment, for on reaching the Sulphur
Springs. two miles beyond, we found
that they had been gone fifteen minutes.
Being mounted, pursuit was of course
useless. Nothing was left but to return.
which we did the next dav, reachiny
here about p NJ.
Friday noon, while sitting in my tent
trying TO write letter. was interrupt.
ed by the beating of tie Long Roll, and
the falling in of men. A report had come
that the enemy was advancing from the
direction of the Lamue. Word was
given that the first five Companies out
would be sent out to meet him. Com.
pany + was soon ready and the first on
the ground. Four others were soon
ready, and we started alta ratlling pace.
When about one mile out we halted and
loaded. Ourgood. .natured Major now rode
along the line saying, "now boys, keep
perfectly cool, don't break ranks, and
don't waste one d-n bit OF powder"
All being ready, scouts were sent out
on each side of the road, and we acnis
moved forward. When about two miles
from the bridge, a courier met US wuL
the information that Prices army Of ls.-
600 men was only q few miles across the
river. Acting upon this advice the
Major sent several mounted men aLeal
10 burn the bridge.
Preparations having been made many
days since, this was easily done. and
when short time after we arrived. ,ks
noble structure. which few days before
We had made forced march TO protect
was one smoking mass of ruins. The
march of nine miles was made in two
hours, which We 'h;uk was pretty good
time
forgot To mention that tho most of
our men came off without their dinner
{. As soon therefore as we were canned
this became the ali absorbing question.
But The boat IS getting up steam and
| must close or lose my chance of send
ing tins | meant TO have lol3 you about
my dra~'Rg the hoe cake. tie scene in
the milk house, the mysterious disappear
ance OF the jar of butter. coupled with
the gresy condition of Corporal W,
haversack, and the visit 10 the peach
; orchard, but the laian will not wait
I We returned saf, and sound the mex,
i day, and are now ready for the next Job
, Most OF the boys are well and are in
good spirits.
Oar iair patrons at home are ever re-
> mem6ered with gratitude, and they NAV
rest assured that the thought Of then
VIII make the weakest strong. Viii
i kind femembrances from all, 10 all.
remain.
Yours. &c.
:" .. j. nj FuItEg.