The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-01
NO.. %.


confidence they could not have felt un-
der the command of any civilian. Mr..
STUART was elected Lieut.. Col, and G..
w. ROBERTS, Major. With these officers
the men are ready for any reasonable
undertaking, and we are all determined
to give an honorable account OF ouselves.
l have been trying to analyze the ma
terial OF this camp, and have separated t
into three distinct and nearly equil
classes first, those who enlisted from A
love of adventure or for the purpose of
obtaining lazy livelihood second, men
of moderate intelligence, who partly
comprehend the meaning of this contest,
and chose to be on the right side, but
who are here, chiefly, because it is the
Josh'on third, the real nobility of the
land-men with large hearts, wholly de-
voted 10 their country, and with arms
nerved by the inspiration of duty and
honor. The first class comprises nine.
tenlhs of the grumblers, the oth,r tenth
belonging to the secohd-ani TO its
ranks may be traced nearly all derelec-
tons of duty, such as failure 10 appear at
:oil calls, drills &c. 1t has been obse,y-
ed, however, that their seats at The table
are seldom vacant. although they are
constantly complaining of every all in
the calendar, from sore toe 10 general
debility. They are in short a good for.
nothing set of drones, and could well be
spared from the regiment Efficiency
does not altogether lie in numbers.
Those OF the second class will make
passable soldiers, though their efficiency
will depend much upon their humor.-
Should everything go to their liking
should their officers suit them and their
rallons be well served, they would be
reliable in any eme,g gency otherwise
they could not be depended upon. They
would scarcely prove mutinous, unless
under the strongest provocation.
But the life, soul and support of the
regiment rests with the third class
Actuated by the deepest sense of duty.
aud inspired with an almost religion,
zeal for the sacred cause, they are ready
to meet every priyation and to overcome
every obstacle. Without. them. the rer-
iment would be worthless with them.
IT Will return from victory. with the
beautiful colors presented this day un-
suIl'ed by stain of dishonor.
l suspect that the divisions above no.
uced will apply TO our army generally.
1t is not composed entirely Of di.in,erested
patriots, and thorough extirpation of
the weeds, cutting il down al least a thi,d
would just about double its efficiency
There arc thousand things in camn
lie TO write about matters insignifcant
perhaps in themselves, but Invaluable a.
an index to the general character of o,r
| will not intrude mucb
further upon your space, So valuable in
these exciting times
The amusements practiced in This
camp are not particularly ele,atinr or
inrigorating Card playing is the staple
and seems to be with many passion
amounting 10 folly Its effects are see,
in their Discrimination for duty. and res
lessness under restraint. Card playing.
equally with whiskey drinking, unfis
men for military service, and should be
equally inhibited throughout the army.
There is but little drunkenness in our
camp. Of course the sale of liquors
the ground is prohibited, and il is only
occasionally, when his habits are known
that drinker is passed outside the lines.
We pride ourselves on our soberness
and on our behavior at the chaplain's
service which is certainly very excn-
p!ary.
The regiment is soon 10 remove TO
Missouri, and | may have something Of
more interest to communicate.
j. l.. LOOMS.