The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-08-03

into line Of battle. : .limbered" our gun
"a six pounde, y-and gave them two
or :hree secession pills. which. caused
them taLry the speed Of their horses.
excepting one man and horse. which
on, OF the pills overlook and stopped
Tie mn was "cut in twc," and the
horse lost one leg. We went to Monroe
and got dinner. when the rebels were
s~en lurking 10 all direclioas around US.
We took our quarters in the Semi
nary. located on an elevated piece OF
ground, aud surrounded bysa pailing
fence. enclosing aqaarter Of an acre.
The Seminary is large three story
brick building. The lower story is =
basement Of rock, aud extends some
three feet above ground. The building
is square. and part fat roof. with rail-
ing on top. which afforded nice place
from whicl, to vie" the enemy.
By the assistance Of large spy
glass, we could see them gathering in
all directions. At a distance Of two
miles they formed a line around us.
Seeing our. position. We commenced
terrifying. and on Wednesday about
noon they le, IN on Us with two 6eld
pieces-one six and one nine FOUNDER
The second shot we,lnadvo disabled
their small gum. Ne tired slow and
only five shots IN all a, We hac bu, few
shot, and liile ammunition o. any kind.
This we were saving for close engage
ment, but the towards kept their dis
ta,ee. Tney fred % roun Is al Us. but
done but little harm. only striking the
building three times. one sho, entering
the second story window. aud lOjs jsing
in IA parlllion wall. This eau ed brick
10 strike one ot 3ur men ON the head.
but caused no se,ious. damage. A;;ei
the surgeon put sticking piasie, On
h. came oa, and took up his muske,.
and was ready to fight again.
The side The enemy commenced fir.
ins al Us on was the weakest fortified;
aud Is soon MS We seen the smoke from
their gus. NE ail laid down in the
d,lches. and their shot went singing
over US. Then We woali-up aud ply
our picks and spades ua.iI the w"Td
''do@n" was gwen.
We were surrounded BY superior
numbers. they Lavin. $50 men; bui
We feared them not. All eea wanic,.
WAS for them 10 come within musk~,
shot. so we could see their eyes, bu
hey wcuil not advance.
In the midst Of their firing there
came irain vi cars from Hannibs,.
with rein!orcements for us--'he baiano..
Of the III. 18th. and the Hannibal Ilom.
Guards. As ihey neared tie rebel
ranks that crossed the railroad. the,
gave them q shot frosn their. six p.,ana
gun. which caused them TO run in great
eli speed than they came; and thai pu
an end 10 our fun 4,
We left tie reiaforcements at Mon
Zoe. and Is We were boarding the cars
for here. there came up a company ol
Illinois cavalry with forty prisoners an
ask pound gun. They had ~" brass
nine pounders Of their own. They ART
now on their way here. securing the
c unry as they come.
! for 90; to mention an accident which
occurred in our company at the battle
Of Monroe. "A youay man from O,ka-
ioOsa, Iowa. by the name OF L rus
West. in dropping down to dodge a
cannon ball. knocked his gun of with
his foo;. the tall passing through his
right breast. entering the lower Jaw.
and lodging below the righ, eye. lie
died in abou. three hours. and was
buried where he vas. shot. u
a soldiers lie is one of toil,exposure
and hardship 1 would a srea, deal
rather be at home, il ii was not tha.
feel j. a duty 10 serve our. county and
preserve the, unionI Ilhave but one
Lime Ito die. .nd il fall in defense Of
my country. 1 i'dl ia a good cause.
II may be some Of my old acquain.-
ances would like ~ hear from me. bu,
cannot write 20 all of them. You
may let them read this il they can.
write in hurry, and with pencil. I
remain
81 lleg :ra X. mo- si.TC |
Your affectionate son.