The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-08
Correspondence of the Guardian.

| Correspondence of the Guardian
GLASGOW, Missouri, Sept, 29th, 1861,
HEAD QUARTERS FIFTH Iowa
On Wednesday, the 95th, just after
breakfast, we were aroused by the cry of
Hurrah, boys, strike tents and prepare
to get on board the War Eagle as soon as
possible, en- route for Lexington" By
some strange fatality. it always rains
when we get marching orders, and SO
sure and inyariable has this sign become,
that whenever shower commences we
strike tents, shoulder knapsacks, and
hold ourselves in readiness TO move.
without further commands, After the
usual delay aud hubbub, preparatory to
getting the numerous stores Oh board,
We started at II A. NJ, rounded the
long bar at the foot of the bluffs, fired a
parting salute, and stood fairly out for
sea. Down came the rain, beating in
waves OF spray against the sides Of the
steamer. while The winds howled and
moaned like bevy of imprisoned spirits,
making most dismal music in the rigging,
and chilling to the bone The hurricane
and forecastle decks were soon deserted
Tor the warmer atmosphere Of the steer
age, while around the engines were
crowded promiscuous Thong. slrug-
Cling, twisting elbowing, to work
) their way nearer to the fire. Among all
, the rest, were specimens of those whe
bray, the lamate Of the long cared kind
their melodlous voices rising with the
wall of the tempest, rendering the scene
within and without quite exhilarating
and encouraging. Passed Arrow Rock
torlorn-looking houses, at 2, p. NJ. This,
OF old, used to be considered favorable.
as fortress, by the rebels, but they have
now abandoned the place in disgust, the
thunders of the federal cannon echoine
too close to their ears, at Boonyille.-
The main portion of the town stands
upon high bluff, the side of which
presents bold and perpendicular front
10 the river, and studded with rocks
which exhibit the most beautiful rides.
cent hues in the gorgeous sunset. The
country Is not SO broken as that of the
upper Mississippi, and better adapted to
farming and every species Of Agriculture.
On many OF the long retresting slopes
are fine graperles, while tobacco is raised
in large quantities. A species of elder,
far different from any that | ever saw
before, grows here, the scarlet berries of
which appear to light up the whole
woods. They do not grow in umbellf-
erous clusters like the common elder.
but assume more Of a botryoidal form.
The storm subsidized, gray evening
crept on apace, and we were still some
distance flom Glasgow, though from
Boonville, in direct line, it can not be
more than thirty miles. The air Of the
steerase was suffocating. and l started
for the upper deck, to get chance of
inhaling the fresh breeze that now began
to set in stillly from the N w, and adj
mlre the scenery. The Capt. of. the
steamer, Mr.. White, who is in every re-
spect an efficient officer and gentleman,
was standing near by, and we soon fell
into a conversation, respecting the bloody
affray that transpired near the point we
then were, between the Indiana Regi.
ments. He attributed the mistake, in a
great measure, to the carelessness and
stupidity Of the commanding officers
why" said he, "as soon as the firing
commenced, between the two SCOUTING
parties, the whole of both Regiments
went ashore and formed in line Of battle
on yonder bank pretty quick, some
coniounded fool, off at the left, discharged
his gun. which set the rest in panic.
and then along the whole battalion, ex-
tended vivid blaze Of light, and roar Of
nearly two thousand muskets. 7Aey lad
fired upon Metr own comudes The
Lieut.. Col. was on the boat with me. |
and il WAS all that could do 10 keep him
from firing that Howilzcr there, loaded
with grape, into the ranks Of his own
men. lie was perfectly unfit to give
command, and imagined that the enemy
were right upon US. AS morning
dawned, they found IL Of sher men w.
ing stiff and cold in the bushes, while a
lumber We're wounded. II was a sick.