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

as do, to regiment recruited mostly
from Illinois, have better opportunities
for hearing impartial judgments than
members of the Independence company.
| have heard but one word, and that of
entire commentator. We have been
quarered here ten days, and have wit
messed the arrival and departure of many
regiments. but none to equal Col Van
dever's. l have had occasion before to
feel proud of Iowa as the State of my
adoption, but especially now Of our own
county OF Buchanan, her part has been
nobly performed. A little figuring will
convince any one that in numbers she
has far exceeded her proportion, and in
the efficiency OF her men, probably no
county in Iowa excells her. Her first
company will doubtless soon have an op-
portunity to test its quality, as at last ac-
counts it occupied the advanced post of
Glasgow, on the Missouri. Let us hope
that the 9Th may deserve equal glory
with the gallant LIST, and the 9th greater
than both. But what queer, tall, brass.
emblazoned black hats the boys are
sporting Already we have nick.ramed
them the "Hawkeye Stovepipers," and
We only wish the enemy may wear 4" the
like" when within shooting Distance
better mark could not be provided
Brass bugles and eagles are all very fine,
but precious heads ought not to be made
prominent targets without cause. Alto
gether the regiment seems 10 have been
as we'll provided for as any other western
troops-far better than many.
Our regiment-that IS, the lst regi-
ment Of the Douglas Brigade. now class
ed as the 42d lllinois-left Camp Doug
las and Chicago without one feeling of
regret. Every day here increases our
satisfaction at the change. Strange AS it
may seem, our commissary arrangements
and provision, here, almost on the enc
my's country, are vastly superior to those
Of Chicago. There it was impossible to
obtain vegetables or anything beyond The
old army rations here we have the new
army ralions, and are enabled to ex,
change for vegetables of every descrip-
ton. We are living luxuriously now ;
the boys of the Irish Brigade tell diff
eren, story of their fare further west. We
shall make the most of our few days of
grace here But after all, this detention
here is not gratifying. We are anxious
ly waiting our arms. Companies A and
b are already provided with Colts re.
volving rife, n splendid arm, but the
rest of us (ours is company g. expect
the regulation rifled muskets, manufac-
lured at Springfield They are certain
y simpler and lighter gun than tie re-
volving rifles, and their range is 600
- IcnocI uIutT5tdHu tIldt move
ment is+"" g.. =, 49, I~..---. n.i-a.--...--
vide themselves entirely with the Coli
gun, the cost TO be sublracted from their
bounty, they of course to retain the gun
after the close Of the war. The exper-
fence Of the French-the most accom-
pllshed and most scientific fighters in the
world-has taught them that the simplest
gun of the longest range, is the most e(-
tective in active warfare 1t is to be
feared therefore that the 9th will have
cause to regret the step. should they
succeed in the effort.
Benton Barracks afford splendid ac-
commodations for the thousands of sol
diers who are temporarily quartered here
for the completion of their organization
and equipment. The magnificent parade
IS just receiving its finishing touches,
and is said to have no superior in the
country. Brig. Gen. Curtis, Of our own
State, is in command, and is universally
esteemed. There are probably ten thou
sand troops In this camp alone. 1t would
be folly for me to give any estimate Of
the number within the line of fortifca.
tons that surround St. Loui.-we GER
tainly feel perfectly secue.
Universal Indignation is expressed
among tho soldiers at the villainous eff.
forts OF Blair and his adherents to pro-
cure the removal Of Fremont, who has
the entire confidence Of the army Of the
west. A few days will show that our
hopes in him are well founded. We are
satisfied to serve under John G. Fremont,
and our cry is death to sleepless and
meddlesome politicians"
j. L. LOOMS.
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