The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-12-05
\ RO NJ OF K IS \ ).
BIRDS PoIST, Mo.

to Fort Holt and from thence loIa''o,
The Fort is held by the I'll. Boys, who
are husi'y engaged in erecting winter
quarters. The place is quite romantic
and gro,esque and will give the boys
an opportunity Of
List ning to the wintry winds signing,
AS the old year is dying
They were startled in their slippers
few nights since by the rum"r tHat
Pillow was going to march on them
when after hasty preparations i"r lie
defensive, Slep. at their arms "nd's-
turbed by that distinguished hero, who,
up to this time, has not made his ap-
pearance. Cairo, hardly situated above
the level ofthe watcra its lowest stage
and being subject to innndat'"n pre-
scnt> All unique appearance. Screened
almost from view by her splendid 'evce
and the entertainments on the river, one
feels that he is walking in i walled City
while traversing the streets: while re-
ccaing from the wharf one who has th"
boldncss can almost pee. III the open
windows, or impulsivcly bcckon to those
grouped on the balconies. You elbow
no one but soldiers, and hook button
holes with City guards at every turn
in the stree. if not very careful. he
city is alive with marines, and the Jolly
sons Of Neptune are kno'n by the Bf'ca-
10 air displayed on their weather beaten
coun,cnanccs They will take charge
Of the Gun boats now fitting for the
comm. southern expedition.
Birds Yaint situated on the opposite
bank, occupies tic extensive farm OF
Col Bird. His dwelling, a tao story
frame. is VOW occupied rs Head quar-
tiers Cor the commander Ct the point.
There is no,ling:o render 1t more
attractive than other places on the riv-
except in a military point Of view. Aos
FIR distant from his dwelling is his fam
ilv grave yard, Where j, inferred lis
numerous relatives. Tie ralings are
torn away, and hundred or more
brave yulu, lie there IN silent rep
pose.
Ta,lor'S Battery is chartered III his
thrifty Appearing olcha'd, occupying
mostly Jr,monts tents, and rs the itnlt
season IS over. have converted the
branches into clothes I.acs, answering
al practicable purposes.
Familiarity gives rest 10 thc mind /;
and it seemed natural Il thc boys at
tcr "St,iknr orr tents. aaG cooking
orr s.u,uL" t. f.,aiiializc themselves
with everything ~ i,c seen. We Ea't''y
tad time to l.t;n tie second item,
- ace ,r,iinr to Mis-. Ic>ll,'s system -
when Old Ici!'"gain put us Oh our pins.
News rcc ci,d Us t'aat he lad taken
arc cf Our boats which afterwards
proved Is BE the Pate lui,y ans:
accordingly % Tuesday No, 10Th al
3 c'cleck ii the morning we boarded
The cars, and wtnt oM - Charleston.
the county seat Of Mississippi 20. and
from thence marched eight miles IN the
TIC country and made 4 hait. While
refreshing ourselves it was asccr::aine'
that lie was abou. II miles ahead and
his men all mounted TIn,lingi il impns-
ible to ovcr,a,ic them and not wishing
to be cut Off By his reinforcement, we
concluded to take backward tracks
an! accordingly cleft faced" and
made once insrc i,r ti.e depot, which,
NC reached sometime af.cr dah aud
n,oveI cautiously towards camp Tic
train stopped abon, . O'Clock ard a few
moments before, the black clouds which
had threatened us all li,e afternoon por' Il
copious showers drcncling us complete
". The ground was covered anhl" deep
with water, and rs the men broke for
their quarters, the winds would sweep
their large capcs over their heads while
others disobcving orders fred their
arms in the river. The camp guards.
thinking that the. we've attacked fred
into us, wo,nding two Iii. boys. When
their mistake was found out, feeling
Of Indignation appeared among the
officers on the following morning but
nothing has been done. The following
day was spent in drying our clothes
and recruiting. We took two Of Thomp
sons men while out; one Of them dis
played his courage by cooking q pep
err box at one of our captains who
knocked it above his head with his
sword and nncermoniously took him BY
the collar rs if ''buy yonr leave.'
Some Of the boys seemed discouraged
and declared they would not go again