The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-05-13
correspondence Of the Guardian.
CAMP NEAR PlrTsBuRG IASplyn)
April 39th, ls6a. I

Nigh. say, the whole world, are viewing
with breathless interest the development
Of affairs transporting in that obscure lit
tie corner of creation, Pittsburg Land
ing. When we reflect that the triumph
of the Union arms here is lraught with
the most momentous consequences to
future generations-that the establish.
ment of peace, vindica,ion of the laws,
permanency of those time -honoreI insti-
tutions which our fore fathers inaugur-
ated forever fixed, and the question de-
cided whether the Constitution is mere
ly piece of parchment, conveying vain
words and glittering generalities, or a
compact, firm and indissoluable as the
hills, capable of welding power, com
polling obedience to all of its provisions,
is about approaching solution by the ar
bitrament of the sword. on the plains OF
Shiloh, we can but tremble and stand
in mute expectancy at the result. For
if there ever was crisis in military mat
ters it has now arrived, and the mex,
four weeks will decide whether a long,
lingering, desolating war is to ravish the
land, or peace with its attendant bless
ings dawn once more. The rebels are
conscious of the M ghty issue at stake,
and are straining every nerve 10 meet it.
Impressins men into the service, draw
ing vast stores Of supplies from the bor-
der States, manufacturing arms and ord
nance, erecting Notifications of tremend-
Gus magnitude. and perfecting their
troops by the most arduous discipline,
although deserters and prisoners agree
in saying that it is hard to Danish from
their minds certain kind of fear at the
idea of facing northern steel, for they
know from sad experience that the Yam.
KEGS will fight like fends. Had they
not been of the truest valor, they never
could have withstood the violent assaults
Of the enemy upon their left wing. at the
memorable battle OF Pi;tsburg Landing.
when the foe in huge masses poured up
on them like mountain torrents, with the
ayowed purpose of sweeping them over
the bank into the Tennessee, that rolled
its muddy waters so quietly below, Mis-
sissippi Tigers were there pit,ed against
the sons Of Iowa and Illinois. On the
one side were men worked to the highest
pitch of madness, by draughts of wills
key, and the consciousness that the life of
the Southern Coniederacy was a. stake
on the other, the stern Roman who though
fighting against overwhelming odds, met
death in their tracks rather than to fly
fought with the stars and stripes wav-
ing Ger them-fought for the Union, the
Constitution and darling liberty fought
for III e honor and glory of their arms
fought TO preserve the bright laurels won
at the battles of Donelson, Pea Ridge and
Winchester, untarnished-fought TO send
a thrill Of JOY through the hearts of those
at home with victory. At one time the
enemy made fierce charge for the col
ors, shouting as they came like ncarnate
derils. Volley answered volley, peal on
peal, louder grew the shouts, bayonets
thrust and deadly groans were heard,
great surges of human beings waved to
and fro around the glorious stars, now
enveloped in clouds Of smoke, but still
waving its folds over the heads of the
gallant federals, and then standing out
clear and conspicuous on the field. 1t was
the cynosure of all eyes-now it would
fade from sight and the heart sank As the
roar OF cannon and musketry grew hi gh
er, aud the conflict waxed tiercer in in
tensity, then it would appear against the
head of the heroic regiment, and the
rebels panic stricken at last, fell back
from the contest. 1t was a fair speci
men OF Southern impe,uosity and North
ern stubbornness and courage.
Ii is very difficult to form correct
estimate as to the number OF troops dis
posed under the command of Gen. Hal
leck, here, blu. it cannot be far from ono
hundred and twenty thousand, and in
telling this presume that | shall not be
imparliny any forbidden intelligence.
The forces are distributed in the form OF
a circle, Gen. Grants division occupy
ing the center upon the main road lead :
TO Corinth Gen. Buell. the right flank
extending to small town eight miles
from the enemy's nearest lines ; and Gen.
Nelson 5 brigade the left flank, resting
on the town of Hamburg, four miles
above Pittsburg. Pope's division lies
Immediately behind these as, reserve,
but will be advanced further to the left.
Gen. Mitchell still holds his position on