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

ARSENAL, ST. LOUIS, August 10th, 1861.
EDIToR ADVERTISERS:
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 we're
twice called to Athens, Mo, for the pur-
pose of driving out rebel force that had
taken the town. We started in high
spirits on the kcokuk and TT. 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
-23 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 off the cars-here the FIVE companies
Of the 9th were ordered to "fall in,"
which they promptly did; Col. Worth.
lngton then stepped forward and address
ed them briefly and to the point in the
following words: Boys, l have got but
one word to say to you, and that is, the
hrst man that runs the next man must
shoot him down; | hold every man re-
sponslb'e for the conduct of his neigh
Dor " The Colonel then jumped on the
tram and went off with the 9th towards
Athens, while we started toward the riv-
er' A barrel of crackers had been left
Tor 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 v.der to ford the river-the
water was knee deep, with rock bot
tom As ! belong to Comp 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. The scene was both
strange and interchangeable long line of
human beings slowly wading through the
water while their muskets shone in the
sun like Furnished silver, was eight not
soon to be forgotten. We now started
for the rebel camp. We had proceeded
but short distance when we fell in with
a company Of horsemen, armed with mus
kets; they proved to be mounted home
guards-thcy 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 for the camp, determined to make
clean work of it when we got there -
Evcry man we passed was armed, mostly
with rifles. They are all Unionists and
are most bitter against the secessionists
they had all been in the fight at Athens;
they were dissatisfied with the conduct
of the Iowa Home Guards, who had in
terfered and prevented their shooting lG
prisoners that were taken 10 the fight
We marched until nine o'clock at night
when, hearing that the rebels had taken
up the line of march and were retreatine
as fast as possible, we halted, stacked
arms, received a cracker a piece, posted
the picket guards, and laid down to sleep.
About two O'Clock che Of the pickets was
fired on. The word was given to sfall inn
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-
envy found. 1T. Hammond now called 70,
~ volunteers from Company A, to q
with him. They were instantly offered