Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-10-25

especially along the Merrimac River, where
the country is almost mountainous. l en-
joyed many strange and pleasant reflections
on our way to jefferson, along this part Of the
road. Imagine your correspondent seated in
the front of an open car, with peculiar sky
blue overcoat buttoned closely around him,
with collar turned up and parallel with the
top of his head, his cartridge belt clasping his
waist, rifle loaded and at "order arms by his
side; imagine over thousand other soldiers
in the same dress, on long train of cars, i'll
front and rear their long, bright bayonets
glittering in the pale starlight, and the cool
air whistling past as they bound rapidly on
ward through tottering hills and over deep
ravines, laundering through dark tunnels,
expecting and ready for an attack, and you
have an imperfect glimpse of the Iowa Sth,
on their way to Jefferson City.
Some of our boys became rather tired of
their confinement here, aud asked me to take
them out on a scouting expedition. We soon
tain to obtain his permission. He was
pleased with the arrangement, and gave me
my choice of Is men out of the company for
the expedition. l made my selection, and
gave them orders to be in readiness early
the next morning.
Morning came, and with it every man to
his post. Forward by file right" and off we
went past the guards. We soon reached the
summit of an elevated piece of prairie, some
distance from camp, where my little band
halted to load. then told them more fully
my intentions, which were to capture an Off
Ger who had served in Prices army, and who
was reported to be then at home, about eight
miles from our quarters. also told them to
trouble nothing belonging to any Union man,
but gave them permission to take any thing
they wanted that was contraband. After
pledging ourselves to fight, at most, three to
one, if attacked, we moved onward. We
halted every man we met, but they were all
for the "Union," or at least said so, and didn't
know where any secessionists lived. After
travelling about eight miles into the country,
we began to see pretty strong evidences OF
"Secesh." Houses were left unoccupled-.
large stacks of grain were covered with green
blades, and rotting to the ground, and the
"culed population" were left idle, and free to
fatten on the wealth of their ruined masters
had one of the darkies brought to me, and
after threatening him if he did not tell the
truth, questioned him something like this =
'Is your master Union MANI" Don't
know, sah-guess so, though" "Where is
he ?" 90! he's gone 'way-been gone two
three months, with Massa Price, b'levc"-
"Was your master kind to vou?" 90! yes
sometimes; said, though, he'd kill us all fore
we should be free" "Are there any seces
sionists in this part of the country?' mo
guess not. Mustn't tell" he added, after s
pause; "they say they purtini' kill us if VIZ
tell" After few more questions of the same
nature, the negro was released.
We finally came in sight of the house
where the rebel officer was reported to live
and for whom we had started. After station
ing guards at distance around the house
| proceeded with the remainder of my mel
to search the house, which we did, but fount
no officer then explained to his wife,
complete lady in appearance-the cause O
our intrusion. She informed me that hel
husband had started for Boonvilie early tina
morning, and hoped he was near Prices heat
quarters on the Usage.
We next visited the plantation of Mr.
Ellis, and found it in desolatc condition.
He is very wealthy man, but has left every
thing and Joined the rebel army. His slave:
were almost destitute of clothing, and wer,
living in their kitchens in filth and dirt-pla
Ces liftAu Soou enouSii III al Ao"" Id iuel
fattening hogs There was one boy, 10 or II
years of age, and black as the ravens wing
whom impressed into our ranks. gay,
him a red uniform shirt, and one of our 1ner
gave him a pair of over-alls. We dressed
him up, and he was so tickled that he coulC
hardly keep from laughing. He turned t,
me and said, "Golly, Massa, dis de first shir
| cher had on"
We soon after started for camp, where w
arrived in time for supper. l presented
"Miner" to our Captain for, waiter, an,
went to my duties in camp.
Yours, &C.,
W. A. RICKETTS,,
LIST Serg't Comp. X, sth Reg. Iowa Vol.
p. S.-Our company get no letters. w
hope our friends in Louisa county will no
neglect US. R.