The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-01
Correspondence of the Guardian.
Head Quarters Fifth Iowa Rcg't
BooSyLLE, Mo-, Sept. lJ. 1861.


Our expectations are often disappoin-
ted, and long cherished plans swept away
by some unforeseen emergency, in tho
twinkling of an eye. If recollection
serves me rightly, | predicted quite con
fdently in my last letter that we should
remain at Camp Worthngton for some
time. Everything had been arranged,
messes divided off, time set apart for com
pany drill, and inspection, and course
marked out which seemed to promise
rest from more active service.
But on the morning of the 18th inst,
orders came for us to hold ourselves in
readiness to march at moments notice,
though for what point we were ignorant
Some, relying on the demand which has
been made from the east for ten regi-
mens from the western division, asserted
that we were to go Immediately to Wash
ington. Others declared that we were
bound for ST. Louis, while one individu-
al, with gigantic frame, and nose Of
flaming hue, considerably gave US as
his private opinion, publicly expressed,
that the regiment was destined for Boon
vile via Patagonia-that the rebel Gen.
erals, Price and Rains, had an enormous
battery a few miles below. on either side
of the river, and that we should all get
sent 10 Satan's dominions. Having thus
delivered himself on the vexed question,
he proceeded to refresh his creature
wants from a huge canteen that hung by
his side, the contents of which, if sub
lecied to achemical analysis, would have
been found to contain one gill OF water
to three quarts of whiskey. The morn
ing Of the l4th came at last, and with i;
violent rain storm Mud was soon at
a discount. and clean pants and dry feet
novelty. The reveile was beat at 3 a.
M. when all TUNED out, eat a hastily
prepared breakfast. struck tents. shoul.
dered knapsacks, and iell into ranks with
alscriIy, inpatient 10 board the good
steamer War Eagle. and away for our
destination, wherever it might be- The
rain still kept pouring down in torrents,
wetlng many luckless fellow TO the
skin, and causing us all to look anxious
ly for an ark of safety. Ii Father Mil
Ter had set his time for the destruction
of the world on the llth of Sept, instead
Of Oct l2, he might have had more fol-
lowers, for the time being at least. AT
last the storm cleared away. The NUT
tering thunder died in the distance, and
and Old 1urora favored the half-drown.
ed earth with his genial rays again. AT
8:25 We started, and after rounding
long sandbar, the PROV of the boat WAS
turned upstream. which was a convin.
cling proof that we were TO go to Boon
willie or Lexington. We had gone but a
short distance when We met the steamer
Sioux City. freighted with furniture of
every description, and having number
OF families on board A shot across her
bows from the twelve FOUNDER soon
brought the damsel alongside. when all
sorts of inquiries were made concerning
the movements Of the rebels. They sta
ted that Boonville had been attacked on
the morning Of the l3,h inst. by force
Of 800 men, under the command of Col
Brown, but that the Home Guards. onl,
| so strong, had repulsed them with great
loss. Gen. Price, with Is, 900 troops,