The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-17
Correspondence of the Guardian.
CAMP HERON, PACIFIC, Mo,
Nov 81, 1861. {

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fore leaving Independence. My time
md attention has been very closely oc-
1upied since the Iowa 9th left Camp Tn.
ion, Dubuque, but | will try ard give
you short history Of our movements
since that time. After we left Dubuque,
we proceeded down the river to st. Lou
Is, arrived there on the 3Olh Of Sept, |
and were ordered to Benton Barracks,
which is located on the western side of
the city, adjoining the fair grounds, a
splendid location for cantonment for
troops. When we arrived, there was
some 1000 troops there, including the
Iowa 10th and Douglas Brigade, Ga Chi.
cage regiment, it has very fine look
ing lot of men and officers, but l think
the 9th Iowa has got finer set of men
than any regiment | have yet seen.
We were quartered in Benton Bar.
racks, about two weeks, and then reciev-
ed marching orders for Pacific City on
the same day we had some old guns sent
up from the arsenal for our use. Two
thirds OF them were not fit for anything
but old iron. Some of the men were
very much opposed TO taking them, and
felt very bad over it when they were
compelled to comply with the laws laid
down IN the Army Regulations How
ever, they took them, and the next day,
early in the morning, we marched to the
l4th Street Depot, and soon after one
O'Clock, p. NJ, took cars for this place,
and arrived here about 10 CLOCK, the
journey being very long one. We had
very long train, some thirty cars in
all.
There is about $50 sick in the regi-
ment, about four -fiflhs Of them are down
with the measles they don't seem to be
dangerous at all. We have not lost a
man with this disease. We have only
had FIVE deaths altogether since the reg,
iment was organized, four of those were
of typhoid fever, and one of general de-
bility, caused by drinking too much "for-
ty rod, that is not very bad for regi-
ment 1875 strong. There has not been
a death in the Independence Company,
although it has had its share of sickness.
Sergeant Balm is the only one ofthe com,
paDy seriously sick, and he is in a fair
way for recovery, SO the Surgeon told
me tonight. | certainly hope that will
be the case, for he is fine young man.
The regiment was paid off between the
first and tenth of the present month, and
| can assure you it was day ofgreat re
joicing. There was not company in
the regiment but what sent home to their
wives and parents, from 81 600 TO ST..
goo dollars. | think that spoke well for
the soldiers Of the Iowa 9th, although
600 miles from home, they were bound
to let their friends have a share Of their
earnings in place Of squanderiug it for
whiskey.
On the same day that the paymaster
came around, the boys new overcoats ar
rived, and were distributed Immediately
afterwards. They were very much need.
edfor the nights were getting very cold,
standing guar with, nothing but lhin
coat on and small blanket over their
shoulders, was not SO comfortable as
good oyercoat makes them. The reg
ment is well provided with clothing, now,
through the exertions Of our Colonel, aid
ed by the Quartermasler. f. S. Winslow,
from Anamosa, of the firm Of Winslow
Il Co, bankers.
Ever since we arrived here our regi.
ment has been divided up into detach-
ments. There is two companies. A. and
f. six miles from this place, on what is
called the southwest branch Of the Pac-
fic r. r., which goes to Rolla. Compan
les B. and G., are stationed 12 miles
/ down the road at Mozelle. The rest OF
the companies are located at this place
FIVE don't get orders to move soon, the
intention of the commanding officer,
| Lieut.. Col Heron, is in command al
present, to set the men to work to build
log houses for barracks. 1t is getting
slightly cold, lodging in tents.as we have
! had some hard frosts the last week
Most OF the officers have bought then
sheet iron stoves for their tents. and Sc
keep themselves quite comfortable Sc
long as they keep up the fire, but in fif
teen minutes after they 90 to bed, the fire
! is out, and the tent as cold as though
there was no stove in it. | sent you .
ST. Louis paper. with Lieut.. Bulls ex
plot, il was beautifully managed by him
lie makes spledd officer and is worthy
Of much higher position than he now
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