Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-07-26
From the Pioneer Greys.
Corresp ondence Of the GAzETTK.
UTICA, No, July 3, 1S6

and take passage on the Hannibal and st.
Joseph r. r. The day was cool, and re-
freshing breeze sprang up early in the morn
ing and continued through the day. The
elements seemed to combine to make our jour
ncy as pleasant from as it was to Hannibal.
In short time hasty breakfast was dis
posed of, baggage packed, and each company
filed off into the cars, occupying baggage and
all, two trains Of twenty cars. Soon the or.
der was given to start and we passed out of
Hannibal and left the beautiful Mississippi
for the country westward. We first passed
out into country very broken, the prairics
were small, large enough for fields, but not
farms, and were surrounded by grand old
forests. noticed that the elm attained the
same beautiful and graceful proportions that
it does in the eastern forests. Scattered
about among the trees beautiful clusters of
wild rose were in full bloom; it hardly
seemed possible that they were planted there
not by the hand of man. At each short dis
tancc some new and beautiful scenery would
burst upon the view, but further in the coun-
try it became more even and the forests were
smaller and presented much of the scenery
that is found on so much of the western coun-
try till it was beautiful. The farmers were
cutting their grain apa the Timothy grass
was just in blossom. Tie corn fields looked
small and are promising.
If the territory that the Hannibal and St. Jo-
seph Railroad passes through is fair sam
pie of the whole State there is but one thing
that hinders Missouri from being one of the
best States of the Union, and that check up
on its prosperity is the secession element that
drives out its own industrious inhabitants and
prevents others from coming and improving
its rich soil. Nature has done enough for
the State she is the sacrifice of her own folly
and blindness. Secession with its snaky
folds las. coil on coil, and fold on fold, passed
over and blackeneG all her fair domain. This
is the blight, and when this clement of her
organism is crushed, as crushed it will be in
time, she will make herself one of the faircst
States of the glorious old Union.
Had you seen the Sd Regiment on their
journey yon would have thought they were
going on Fourth Of July excursion, singing
on their way and as they passed houses and
villages, cheering, waving and swinging their
hats and handkcrchiefs.
|. The troops upon their way were greeted
by an abundance of Union demonstration.
Now and then they passed places where the
occupants would look gloomy and sullen, but
majority of the people seemed heartily to
welcome the protectors of the Union. As we
passed one slave owner who was riding a
horse upon the opposite side Of wheat field
he greeted us by patting the seat of his un-
mentionablcs, while his slave upon the other
side, crouched down behind the grain, show
ing two rows of pearly white teeth and swing
ing his hat. At Palmyra we passed por-
ton of the Illinois troops. This place is
doubtless as strong secession town as there
is between Hannibal and St. Joseph, and
nothing but the fear of the Illinois troops
keep them down. In no town did l observe
so much coldncss exhibited towards the
troops as here. ..... .
At Chllicothe 13O miles west of Hannibal
we eft one company, and at bridge miles
west of the same place another company
Late in the evening we arrived at Utica, 1876
miles west from Hannibal, our place of desti-
nation for the present. We found no ar
rangemcnts had been made for our lodgings
for the night, and it appeared such thing had
not been thought of. So by the order of the
acting Colonel we marched up hill and back
again. We had to thank our own Captain
for at last acting for his own men, and for
saving us the necessity of dropping upon the
wet grass of the prairie for the night. As it
was we were comfortably disposed Of at the
station house and in the cars, and soon with
out having either dincd or supped, each
man rolled himself up in his blanket, was
soon lost to himself in sleep and knew moth
ing more of the labors and privations of
soldiers life until broad daylight.
After our morning meal we pitched our
tents just out Of the town Of Utica where we
shall doubtless stay for some time. Most of
the boys arc enjoying good health.
All mail matter to the Pioneer Greys
should be directed
To - - Company X, 3rd Iowa Regiment,
Care Of Capt. J. n. Smith,
Care Of Col. WILLIAMS,
HANNIBAL, MO.
Be sure and write Bird Iowa Regiment, as
there are regiments Of the same number from
other States.
July 4, 1861.
From our sleep last night we were sudden
ly called to arms and commanded to load our
guns instantly. 1t turned out to be rusc
Of the officers to try the nerves of the boys.
Nearly all stood the test bravely though some
appeared little chilly, and one of our COM
pany was suddenly taken sick. We have ia
ken several prisoners, one who as yet refuses
to take the required oath; we have kept some
three days Two we took to-day