The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-24

rect for St, Louis, by way of Rolla, while
Cairo and Paducah have been totally evac
uated by the federal troops, who with
seven gunboats are Fastening to the as
sistance of St. Louis. Be patient dear
reader,and wait for further developments
Perhaps the Grand Army of the West,
may yet get into little scuffle. And
certain that if The secessionists do anv
thing, it mus, be pretty soon for their
state of supplies is rather precarious and
they cannot afford to wait long. The
weather for the past few days has been
quite pleasant but it most looks like rain.
We have an inspec ion of arms, clothing,
and quarters, every Sunday, at 10 A. NJ.
The guns have to be we'll secured, the
clothes brushed. the blankets and KNAPP
sacks lolaed, and put away in the tents,
hands and face washed, hair combed, col.
lars turned down, and coats buttoned, in
short. everything bout right We will
suppose tie company drawn up for an
inspection when the following scene is apt
to take place
Capt, Attention mpany-Prepare
for inspection Of arms.-To the rear, open
order, march" AT this command. the
company being drawn up in two ranks,
the front ranks stands firm, while the
rear rank steps back the distance of four
PAGES, the bayonets are fired, rammers
drawn, and inserted in the bore, when
the soldier resumes the position of order.
ed arms. The Major, Capt, or whoever
the inspector may be, then steps in front
OF the soldier, who brings up his piece
briskly with his right hand 10 the height
of his chin, and then brings il forward
horizontally. The inspector seizas it at
the small. and then commences strict
examination. He springs the rammer up
and down in the barrel to test the sound
If the sound is dull and heavy, the gun
is dirty, and il is returned with the fol-
lowing command. Go to your quarters.
clean that gun well, and report 10 me in
an hour. If this is neglected, the un.
lucky fellow gets a birth for the next
twenty tour hours in the guard house
Every speck of dirt or rust must be re :.
moved. Once We Welcomed Sunday AS a
day of rest, but now il is the signal for
any amount of rubbing, brushing and
cleaning, drilling is not expected. but
every one must appear on dress parade
OF our Officers down 10 the Adiutant,
We have no complaint 10 make, they are
genlemanly well qualified and have no
means unried to secure the comfort of
their men. But the latter gentleman re-
minds me of. a dalkey cook. booted and
spurted, he is one of these little great
men. and imagines that upon him is de.
pending a vast load of responsibility.
A private is beneath his notice, he only
speaks 10 them through tie medium of the
orderIy's having forgotten his former oc
cupalion as cook in Mexico. Those ewes
OF his, winking, blinking, squirting. like
a toad in a shower, how fierce they look
when in a rage. Woe roe to the private
who has provoked his wrath, | wish
that could speak favorably of all the
company officers. but many of them are
ignorant, superlcious and oyerbearing to
the last degree. On battalion drill. their
stupidity excited general attention, and
is as mortifying as amusing Lieut.
JoRpAS's sule retains the high opinion
first formed of him, aud is conceded by
all TO be one OF the best qualified officers
in the regiment. We were paid off again
10 day. the wages amounting to $3.50
per capita. Our clothing drawn to the
first Of Nov. was reckoned in, and deduct.
ed. which still ieaees balance due OF 80
dollars for clothes alone The boys are
talking OF making up package and ex.
pressing il through 10 Independence
saw Doeter Marlin, o,day. of the Hick
ory Co. Battalion, he is in fine health aud
spirits. His regiment is now stationed
tour miles from US southwest of Syra
euse. G.. j. X.
CAMP GRFfFIN. Fairfax CO Va.
Army ofthe Potomac. Nov, IS I
Eprpan pygv, I,.5 Inap "a, Frf