Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-08-08

forts. We heard shots fired in the dis
taoce, our aching limbs seemed refresh
ed by the vsIcome sounds, and with re-
newed esergy, We no slong. On the
bosder u Swan Geek, within sight Of
the town, we halted. Our cannon bad
commenced firing and company ! and
company G were ordered TO form on
the left Of the battery ~ . support to
the same. We deployed o'dingls
through corn field but soon rallied and
joining company l, under the leadership
Of Col. Merritt, went to the Greek
with the intention Of crossing. w.
got across safely through the deep and
swift current; thence the cannon balls
and shells from our own battery whist
led over our heads. Our Colonel halt
ed, looked around, made about face and
led Us back through the stream to our
original position. We once mere de-
ployed through the corn.6eld, and there
We remained idle at least ten minutes,
shots rafting around us, and the roa,
Of the cannon laundering over us. We
heard Aome shots fired on our LETT,
which we knew must be from our COM
pany. Soon an officer of the cavalry
came to ue and told US not to FIRE % th+
artillery had fired into the Court Hou-e
whilst our own men were behind it We
on the right flank did not know at the
time that our men on the left had fred.
The order came for Us to move to the
banks Of the Creek and form in line
We did SO and the firing ceased. Soon
it was reported by the returning cavalry
that the Dutch had left Holland /; the
secess had fled precipitately.
The firing by some of our men on
the left was done in obedience to the
GENERALS order, who happened to b.
there at the time, and it was directed
against body Of rebels who were
scrambling up the steep bluffs on the
other side of the Creek they were a,
at least 800 var 1s Of and it lie not very
likely that our 100 yard muskets caused
much damage. The last shot fired by
The battery was well directed and tie
canister soon scattered the rebels and
FEN Tered them invisible to the naked
eve. Our two companies I and g.
| crossed the stream once more and re-
turned into town, beautifully situated
hamlet, consisting OF we'll built Court
House and about so other buildings.
The whole division Was there, excepting
t rear guard. About half an hou,
we stood there under arms, quietly gag
ing at the regulars and Kansas men,
who were seeking good quarters and
paying profitable visits to the differen,
stores. Night spread its dark mantl.
oyer the east, and once more the com.
mand came from Col. Merritt to march.
We passed fue dwelling house tina,
tempt'ngy had its doors open to receive
US. and We all thought there would be
the end OF our days labors. We we're
disappointed up to the belt again in
he cold water, through swamp, up a
steep hill, surrounded by dark foliage
md wet grass clingng to our legs, w
ma, ched on YEARLY until halt was
heard, and our commander rode on TO
find out the way 10 the camp. At last,
It was found, and after going down a
steep hill we arrived IN the rear of the
train and rear guard, close to the plac.
where We first crossed the creek. No
man Of common sense could discover
the Object OF that extra nights marcn.
heard the next morning that orders
had been gwen tor US to quarter in the
very same house that we had regarded
the evening before with such envying
eyes, and 1t would have been nothing
but fair, that the two companies VIII.
partook in the skirmish should quarter
IN town, and partakc in the distribution
Of the spoils. Why the Colonel though,
TT to disregard the order, and to have
US came in the wet grass on the other
side OF the creek, is to me unknown. IL
the morning | went over to pick up
items. 1t seems there were only be.
tween three and four hundred rebels in
the place when we came, but if tina,
small band possessed only the hun
d'edth part of the bravery they 80
oudly claim to have, they could have
held the position against us at least d.
hour or two, may be the whole night; al
least We never could have taken it with.
out a great sacrifice OF life. The creek
which we had to pass was covered By a
high and almost inaccessible hill, cover
ed with timber, in which the enemy
might safely have fired upon us with
great effect. The city is surrounded on
all sides either by such hills or BY riv-
er, and is as naturally strong q place TO
take as have seen. Three shots we're
ti'ed by our cannon into the court house.
leaving three holes in it, as an evidence
# our having been there. The humble,
killed on the side Of the enemy is upcpr-
tain, but Is bodies were found, 100 stand
OF arms and tour prisoners taken. On
our SIDE two men Of the regulars were
wounded, one shot through the thigh,
the other through the breast. believe
the latter has since died.
In contemplating the whole expedition
must say 1t was mismanaged from A.
oha to Omega. Orders were disobeyed
by the commanding officer, General
Sweeney, and again his orders seem to
have been d'sobeyed by those who were
under him. Gen. Sweeney is q fine look.
ing man, rides fine hor,e, but is a poor
soldier. l hear that he is no more
han lieutenant in the regular army,
therefore he is as much a psendo gen.
eral as many in Davenport. HIS orders
n ha