The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-29

TO the west. / thea detailed a squad of
men TO guard the house, and with the
rest Of the party gave chase to the boy,
whom we met at the distance Of half a
mile, on his return We then ransack
ed the country in that direction, but
without success. We then marched
back to the house, rightly supposing, as
was afterward proved, that the boy had
met his father, and given him The alarm
then placed watch near the house,
/ await his return, and il that event to
give us no ice, while we marched appar-
emily back TO Camp, but in reality to a
heavily timbered detile. and bivouacked,
intending to remain until we should hear
tha. the buzzard had returned TO his
roost. But we had not been encamped
more than an hour, when another de-
tachment arrived from Camp, sent by
Capt. Peters and Capt Rector, whose
company quar- ters ad Join ours, to rein
force US and learn the cause Of our pro-
longed absence. 1t was finally resolved
to return 10 Camp, leaving our watch on
dutv. Willie we were eating breakfas
we received notice that our game was
housed. We then marched back in hiy
spirits to complete our mission, but were
again Disappointed. Oae of our guards
had imprudenly, and against positive
orders, allowed himself TO be seen BY the
family, and the bird had again flown To
the woods, and nothing was left for Us
but to return to Camp. hanging our
heads with shame at our want ofsuceess
and Dear the taunts of our comrades as
best we might. The afternoon following
Lieut.. Lee, Of Capt. Rector's company,
thinking, no doubt, TO win laurels for his
company by success where we bad fail
ed, started an expedition For the same
purpose, Of which | took the lead as guide
By making deour through the timber,
we succeeded in surrounding the house
without being discovered by the inmate,
placing Gordon of seutinels at conven-
lent distances from each other, embra.
cling a circle of about one half mile in
diameter. Leading the party on horse
back, about one halfof whom were also
mounted, and seeing the chain uncoil it
self behind me as they were sent off BY
Lieut.. Lee one at time at distance o!
about 10 rods from each other, coiling
its huge folds in silence around its sap
posed unconscious victim, inspired feel
ing of confidence in the success Of our
expedition, and also brought to min
similar exploits of Marion and his men"
in Revolutionary times. After we had
completed our circuit, % men were s.nl
IN 10 beat the cover, and again without,
success. Bob" was not to be found.
When the search was ended, Lieut.. Lee,
in chagrin at his failure, determined to
strain a point, and ordered under arrest
Il son Of McCulloch, about Is years Of
age, and with a file of men, started for
The woods, taking the boy with them,
and coil of rope hanging suspiciou,ly
from the arm OF Sergeant Kelly. Taking
him to the darkest corner of a heavily |
tmbered rayine, they ordered him per |
emplorlly To disclose all he knew Of The |
whereabouts Of his father, which he refu
sed to do. Thereapon the rope Vas or
dered 10 be thrown over the nearest limb
and moose prepared. The boy took in
tie arrangements AT a glance, aud Weld !
ed, agreeing TO lead them 10 where he !
supposed lis iatl.er was, which he said |
WAS al a house some miles away. The !
party Immediately proceeded to the place
designated, and found not the game but
sign" that he had been there but had
let for parts unknown. Thus ended our
first hunt for secessonists, and We came
home eady 10 admit that oae seccsher,
in this instance, at least, was more than
Il m itch for 9 companies of Cavalry.
There are but 2 companies in Camp at
this time, but the full No. are accepted, |
AID VIII be here as fast As buildings can
be completed TO receive them. Three
more companies will be here by Wedaes.
d Y next, and the balance within f.w
days. have nothing more 10 add, ex-
cept to say to any persons who are wish
ing to enl St, that this company yet lacks
a lew men Of the maximum number al |
lowed, ana if they wish to Join US. they
en- do so on application to Lieut.. B S. !
Rdr who is commissioned for that pur
pose.
Yours truly.
GEO. B. PARSONS.