The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-24

him out of danger and doing well.
STAYED with him until he had game
strength enough to help himself out and
in bed. visited a number of places,
Penn Yam, Seneca Falls, Geneva, and
through Yates County, then enlisted to
fight for the Union about the Goth oI
April, at Canandaigua, stayed there and
drilled every day, until the 10th of May,
then the Company went to Elmira, it be,
ing one of the rendezvous Of all troops in
western n. Y. and there we were one oil
ten companies TO form a regiment. R
F. Taylor, of Rochester, was chosen our
Colonel, and let me remark, here, that he
is man we'll thought of by the officers
and men of his regiment We started
for Washington, from Emira, on the 9th
of July, arrived at Washington at 3 p.
m, on the following day, slept in vaca
ted buildings, on diffenent streets, that
night, and the next day we were order
ed to march up 7th ST, about three
miles from the city, and there we stayed
unmolested, until that eventful day, the
2lst of July, The day Of the Bull Run af
fair. Then we were ordered out in line,
about 10 p. m, the same day to the Long
Bridge, which crosses the Potomac near
Washington, to guard the same. 1t was
feared that the rebels were going to cross
the river and come into the city We
marched in double-quick to the city and
then we were ordered back TO our camp.
In about week after. we moved seven
miles to Camp Lyon, near Chain Bridge.
We were brigaded under Gen. Smith, OF
Vermont. and were in his brigade for
two months after we marched into Vir-
ginia. Our Colonel, and said Smith.
had some words about Smiths working
this regiment so hard, after which our
Colonel managed to get his regiment
transferred 10 Gen. Stephens Brigade.
We were under him until the Naval Ex-
petition were about to start Gen. Sic.
phens and his regiment, ooh N. Y. J
were detailed 10 go with the fleet Then
Col. Taylor was put in command of the
Brigade. and served as Brigadier Gener-
al furone month. until General from
the regular army was put in command.
The regiment were never more pleased,
than when he came back to us The
Colonel is very strict, yet after all. he is
liked very much by his men. He was
an Orderly Sergeant in the Mexican war,
under Gen. Scott. OF course. we cant
tell what he will be in battle, for we have
not been into battle yet How long il
will be before we see battle. is more than
any of US can tell. All We will have to
do. is to wait until Gen Mcclellan gets
ready. then, perhaps, we will see enough
of fighting
We have got tired Of camp life. and
the troops are getting quite dissatisfied
in consequence. They say they came
here to fight. not to lay in camp until
they died by exposure. Ii was thought
that we should 30 to South Carolina
with the next fleet, but here we are vet.
The rebels continue to shoot off our pick
els, and take some Of our foraging par.
ties prisoners. and yet we are not allow
ed To teach them that we know how 10
resent an injury. We are in hopes that
il will not be long before we can have a
chance TO show them some of our fight
ing qualities. Last Wednesday week.
we were reviewed by Gen. Mcclellan,
there was 10000 troops present, and "A
grand sight. it was to me. who never
saw such number of troops together
before. Ii is said to be the largest re
view that ever took place on this Cont.
nent. This is the first week day that we
have not drilled three times per day, Ell
ther Company, Battalion, Brigade or Di
vision drill, for two weeks. | think il is
very likely that we are not any too far
advanced in any drill At the time our
Company was formed. was elected ol
Sergeant, since that time have been
transferred to the band, and still act in
that capacity. But now have got a
good sigh, for promotion To first or sec
oud lieutenant, and | hope | shall be able
with the help of my friends, 10 bring il
about. ! remain yours with respect
A. w. AaERMAN.