The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-10-19
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
CAM LYON, MEAN RoLLA,
n.stYta.r Ash 1851

CAMP LH ON, MEAN hOLLA, I
.. ss October oth 1861.
DRAR EDIroR:- Saturday night again
and . rainy one At that. During the pas
week We have had little variation from
the regular routine of camp life. Last Satur'
day morning We got orders to ''break camp
and move northward. Not man in thu
ranks, nor even single Officer Of the linz
knew our destination, and indeed doubt il
on. field officers did; but a. We were ready
TO go aHyrhere, that was Of little conse-
qaence. The 18th and 18th H., md 4th
Iowa, with small detachment Of Cavalry,
composed the brigade Gen. VIVIAN COM
manding. We took tho Springfield road,
and thu general understanding among US
from what wo could learn was, that We were
going ct least ~ far out as Linn Creek,
sixty mile, from Rolla, and perhaps to
Springfield. The road was abominable-
hills, rocks, ru.s, unbridged streams and a
general 'sbadness," which those of my read
crs who have been to Pixies Peak, can ap-
preciate. We bivouacked Saturday night
seven miles from Rola, and on Sunday
morning pushed on to the Gasconade-a
beautiful swift stream, twelve miles from
Rolla. Here We put our boots, pants, &C.,
on cur shoulders, and waded across. The
water Was very cold, and the bottom Of the
river covered with PEBBLES, which hurt our
y. ha
ing however, 10 fne style, and had just
got our neither garments donned for q for
ward march when messenger from Rolla
came up with orders for our army to return
4, town. A report was circulating among
the men that the rebels were marching in
force upon Rolla, and We we're going to
give them battle. That suited us-of went
the pants again, and we were soon on the
east side again and ready for action. Had
. battery opened on US while in the river,
we would At least have been vel spattered.
The Ga<couade ct this point is about $50
yards wide, three feet deep, clear and swift,
With sandy banks. On our return TO Rolls,
for several miles we took the railroad; or
At least the main army did. There Is no
track laid west Of Rolla, but the road u
graded nearly ont to the Gasconade, having
many deep "eass" and high sails" Com
pany b, Of the 4sh Iowa, deplcysd as sk'r-
mi.hsrs to cover The left flank Of the reg'-
meus, and The boy. think they will long re-
member the race we had over the hills ana
deep ravines. through thick sndesoFnsn,a anu
among rocks and ..amps, and ~indfaii'.--
o. went the column in quick time, on a
level road, and ne mass ksep Up 'r'sh hen'
--ssruue oas over bill and gulsh in single
Gle, ave pace. apart re took our winding
uay-nsv dsdSinsa :hick patch Of tangled
silsssss. nov e!Aaberins up rocky steep,
aud aou swinging ourselves reesless!y from
c.ax to er.g down these bush besprinkisd
limestone pseeipice.- Right nohly the boys
filled The bill and though painting With ex.
hasssiss, and rsekise vish sweas, they still
f-rs 50, aile after mile. When the eolumn
hated for rest and lunch, ny men were -
tired . - Of fellows - ysa, can generally
apd- We rested half an hour, and on us
started again. M.'er EsesssH, Who. by the
var. Is . .plsaiii rsasa and sanhss old
solder asasssd Is 10 fail in ca the ra's.
road. This SIS . vssv agreeable rssf,
which re daily appreciated, sed esrsaiasy
.<<aed--far ihaash re waalt havs taken
% he brush sad esass again al sae vsrd.