The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-31

performed in three days would occasion
great fatigue and cause the weak kneed
and weak willed to fall by the wayside.
All things considered, where was the
particular cause for grumbling, or for
accusing j. G. Fremont of inefficency
on our account? 1t was only an Incl
dental circumstance for which he was
not accountable, that we, together with
several other regiments, were Just then
without our tents and | can testify tina,
during a tour Of observation throughout
the several camps around Springfield,
| neither saw nor heard anything 10
justify the bitterand extravagant accuse
tons of such INSCRIPTIONS sheets as the
Chicago Tribune, and such ambitious
politicians as the big and Title Blars.
So far as | could Judge the army is in
the main well clad, well fed and tolera-
bly, well supplied with the means oil
transportation. 1t was not Fremont's
fault that all the regiments were not pro-
vided with rifles or rifed muskets. He
did everything possible in this direction
and is certainly not responsible for the
Shortcomings of government, 1t is a
wonder that the western army is so well
armed. pursume it would not be
contraband information TO state that
many of the regiments have only the
smoothbore muskets Some are armed
with the Minnie and Enfield rifles, and
quite number with the old regulation
musket, newly ri1ed. Add to these a
sprinklng OF Colts revolving rifles,
Sharp's rifles and the new Spring field
muskets, and you have the sum and
substance of our infantry armament. l
presume we Are as well off as the enemy
in this respect. II Fremont's troops were
at any time on short rations, it was
directly the fault of his under officers,
and their shortcomings ought not TO be
laid TO his charge. When regimenta
and company officers are required TO
pass through no examination whatever
as to their fitness, ineficency must pre-
vail, and it does to a frightful extent
Right there is our failing. Give US
good officers and we will dare the devil
The 42d is now stationed al Smitbton,
four miles west from Otterville and six
teen from Upton, where the Iowa 5h is
stationed Our regiment is at present
detached, but we expect soon to be unit
ed with the Cd regiment Of our brigade
proper-Douglas Brigade-which is now
at Benton Barracks awaiting arms. The
Cd has representation from Indepen
dence in Mr.. Norton. It's Colonel,
David Stuart, originator of the brigade
and our former lieut. colonel, is at pres
ent on visit to our camp. We We're
reviewed before him yesterday. His
regiment, fresh from the handsome parade
Of Camp Douglas, would doubtless out
shine US in the fancy movements, but on
the steady march they would soon be
left BY the roadside Few have proper
idea of the fatigue of marching for the
first time under the weight Of soldiers
harness. Luckily our first marches were
not forced ones.
Your correspondent &C. J. r." asserts
that am "disposed TO award the palm
TO the Iowa Ninth" without having seen
the Fifth He must have misapprehend-
ed my language-his construction is not
proper. Having no,C seen both, | can
assert with tie utmost assurance, that |
am not proper judge of their relation
merits. but do affirm without fear Of
ofense, that they are the two best regi.
ments | have seen. The 9Th has become
noted among the regiments now in cen
trail Missouri for its soldierly qualities
| have heard its praises on every hand.
| very recently saw at Ouerviile
Messrs. Marshall, Waggoner and Wood
ruff-all in the full flush of robust health,
and evidently none the worse for The
responsible positions to which their
talents have already promoted them
Sill higher honers await them all.
An extensive movement westward has
fighting, and are anxiously awaiting
more definite reports.
j. l.. LOOMS
Boston Disgraced.