The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-11


our march which shall not detail to you.
Our fight was over hill and dale. Al
8 o'clock in the morning we reached the
boats weary and fore from SO long march.
The next day we started for Jefferson
City and arrived there on Thursday the
10th
1--WE supposed we would rest awhile
there after having been on the march for
week. But on Saturday, 2lst, we came
cut to this place in quest Of a fight, but
found none. Our presence here quite
surprised the people, as our arrival was
the FIRST notice they had of our coming.
It was halfpast s o'clock, very dark and
snow falling thick and fast. We man
aged to find stabling and feed for our
horses, and supper for ourselves in a large
hotel, whose proprietor was secessionist.
The next day, in the midst of snow
storm, we started back to Jefferson. At
New Bloomfield, which is midway be-
tween Jefferson and Fulton, we were in
formed Of more powder few miles from
town. Accordingly 40 men under Capt.
Hughes, were sent after it. We went
about FIVE miles from the town to where
Banks Moore lived, prominent seces-
sionist, who made hasty retreat at our
approach. A negro of his led us to where
We found 500 pounds of powder in cans
put up in boxes. This was about II
o'clock at night and we started to Jeffer-
son, carrying the powder with us. We
arrived at the river at sunrise, where Ma.
jor Caldwell greeted us with three hearty
cheers.
eve remained in camp at Jefferson for
two days, when We again started for this
piaee ON Christmas. The advanced
guard, of which was one, arrived here
about 4 o'clock p. M, surrounded the
town and took dozen rebels prisoners ----
The same night a small party captured
a Captain Mcintyre. who was in the
Springfield fight and wounded in the jaws.
A few days afterwards we captured
Capt. Chany, who was also in Prices
army. On the last day of December, 100
men of companies G and Fl went to Mill
lersburg, west of here ten miles. We
were to cooperate With troops under Gen
Prentiss, and we expected to celebrate
New Years with fight, bue we could
not find anybody to fight. So we return
ed TO this place without accomplishing
anything Of Importance.
at is needless 10 tell of all our exploits
and scouts in fact cannot take time to
tell of them. Suffice it to say that we
have been doing good service. We have
gone at oil times and surmounted all OBJ
stacles. Cold weather, rain or snow,
cold OF not cold mud or frozen ground,
or all combined, have been no obstacles to
us. We have been in all parts Of the
county, captured arms and ammunition
wherever found, taken good number Of
prisoners, and We have become the terror
Of all secessionists. but VIC are welcomed
/ by all Union men, We live almost en-.
tirely of Of the secesh Our horses are
fed altogether at the expense of rebels
Whenever We 60 scouting, We stop in
small parties at the houses Of the most
wealthy rebels, and force them to be hos.
pitable enough to provide for us during
the night. Sometimes we are well fed,
getting the best they can afford. At 9TH
or times we are poorly fed. But we al.
ways get enough and more than we want
We are all fat and hearty. | weigh al
present It's pounds, and of course SOL
diering agrees with me, although 60 at all
times, through the toughest as well as the
smoothest trials. Scouting is very ex.
citing. We generally 60 at brisk gait
There is very little prairie in this part Of
the country, so We travel through woods
and over hill and dale. Some parts of the
country are very high and mountainous.
The last scout We were on, we went up 4
ridge 200 feet high, known as the "Dev.
lis Backbone" 1t presents quite a
picturesque appearance. On either side
you can see a great distance. But moth.
ing but hills aud hollows are to be seen,
or rather abrupt georges and here and there
a cave is to be seen New we march by
file through. by-paths aud old roads, now
we lie down on our horses to dodge limbs,
and now we 90 at full Speed To sur