The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1861-08-22
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

arsenal, ST. LOUIS Angus, 10th, 1861.
EDITOR ADVERTISER:
We are in the land of secesh" at
last, which we all have been SO eager TO
reach. Previous to leaving Keokuk,
part of the 9Th and 9th regiments were
twice called to Athens, Mo, for the pur.
pose OF driving out a rebel force that had
taken the town. We started in high
spirits on the keokuk and Fl. Des Moines
Railroad, certain of having fight at last
and all eager to have it come as soon as
possible. The ride up the Des Moines
river was very pleasant-the railroad
runs along the river the entire distance
% miles. The scenery is extremely
beautiful and picturesque. The train
stopped two and half miles below Gro
ton, where the 9th regiment was order
ed oft the cars-hcre the five companies
of the 9th were ordered to "fall in,"
which they promptly did; Col. Worth.
ington then stepped forward and address
ed them briefly and to the point in the
following words: Boys, have got but
one word to say to you, and that is, the
first man that runs the next man must
shoot him down; l hold every man re-
sponsible for the conduct of bis neigh
Dor y The Colonel then jumped on the
train and went off with the 9th towards
Athens, while we started toward the riv.
err 4 barrel Of crackers had been left
for our use, and as We passed the barrel
every man received two crackers. When
We reached the river, every one took off
his boots in order to ford the river-the
water was knee deep, with rock bot
tom, As | belong to Company a, | was
among the first over. We halted on the
opposite side long enough to draw on our
boots. Here had full view of those
crossing the river. Tho scene was both
strange and interesting-the long line Of
human beings slowly wading through the
water while their muskets shone in the
sun like FURNISHED silver, was sight not
soon to be forgotten. We now started
for the rebel camp. We had proceeded
but a short distance when We fell in with
company Of horsemen, armed with mus.
kets they proved to be mounted home
guards-they Immediately formed in ad.
vance and assumed the duties Of scouts
We now heard that the rebels had been
driven from Athens by the Home
Guards, but had camped six miles back
OF town: we now altered our course and
started tor the camp, determined to make
clean work of it when we got there.
Every man We passed was armed, mostly
with rifles. They are all Uniouists and
are most bitter against the secessionists !;
they had all been in the fight at Athens;
they we're dissatisfied with the conduct
OF the Iowa Home Guards, who had in.
terfered and prevented their shooting l6
prisoners that were taken in the fight.
We marched until nine o'clock at night
when, hearing that the rebels had taken
up the line of march and were retreating
as fast as possible, we halted, stacked
arms, received cracker . piece, posted
the picket guards, and laid down to sleep.
About two o'clock enc of the pickets was
hred on. The word was given to "fall in"
when in less time than it takes to write It.
every man was in his proper place
Thanking parties were sent out, but no en-
emy found. 1t Hammond now called for
~ volunteers from Company A, to 20
with him. They were instantly offered,