The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-07-12
lameated BY all Of us. vho loved him
for his amiabIc and generous qualities

exception OI TIE cIIcuiu>tahCe dOvso
alluded to, was devoid of much interest.
We found all quiet on the Big Muddy.
We were frequently cheered from the
shore by the loyal people and occasion
ally caugh. the glimpse Of a grum and
sullen secesh. who seemed to curse US
in his heart, but for very fear. abstain
ed from any outward overt demonstra-
tons. The colored population We
found universally loyal aud always loud
and profuse in their expressions of good
will. One little incident afforded us
considerable amusement. AS We were
passing the dirty little secesh town Of
Wellington. just above Lexington. Mo.
we observed two white men and two
negro men standing in front Of ware
house on the wharf The white men
were evidently not pleased with our
appearance. and they moved back in
the door and put on their sourest looks,
but the darkies ran around the corner
of the house, out Of sight Of their secesh
observers, and then commenced series
Of the most violent pantomimic demon
stra,ions l ever witnessed, swinging
their hats and throwing them up in the
air. then throwing them on the ground
and leaping up and down on them. and
the last we saw of them one was twirl-
ing his hat on the top of a pole. while
the other was standing on his head with
his ha, suspended on one foot, kicking
away with uncomfortable delight.
At st. Louis We only stopped short
time. just long enough TO change our
baggage aboard the steamer Hia-
watha and exchange our old muskeis
for new rifles with saber bayonets.-
Our regime.t is now well armed and
equipped. and should We ge, into action
if We do not punish the rebels severely
il will not be for want of efficient arms.
The boat we had from ST. Louis being
a slow Traveller, We were JUS, week
making the trip from the latter place to
Pii,.burg Landing. where we arrived
Without accident or loss of life. Before
reaching our destination. however. we
had learned that Beauregard had per-
formed another prodigy Of s;ra,egem in
the evacuation Of Corinth. He had
''skedaddled." nobody knew exactly
whittier. Well, what is most amusing
and incomprehensible is that the South.
ern papers claim j, as victory. a great
and glorious achievement. What an
idea
We stayed day anl a half a, the
Landing but there being no need of our
presence in that region. We were order
ed back to Columbus. Ky. where we
are for the presen, camped in the woods
In the rear OF the town, about three
quarters of mile from the river. :
You may be sure that during our
stay at Pitlsburg Landing. we availed
ourselves Of the opportunity to visi. the
Geld on which that sanguinsry battle 4
was fought on the 9th and 7th Of April;
where We saw most convincing proofs !
OF the desperate nature Of that memo
rable conflict. l secured many me. c
'nentoes from the battle field, which by /
the way. am afraid shall have 10 t
throw away If We make much Of cam S
paign this summer. and l might have e
many more. as the ground for {
several square miles is strewn with P
every conceivable article of military Il
equipment, from cannon and caissons. il
lown to shoulder straps and coat but d
.ons. There are cannon carriages. a
crushed and shivered with shot: over. n
'oats. hats. caps. boots. sho es. .bayone,s. i
muskets. lin cups. blowses. v
ents. cartridges. dead horses, cannon b
'alls. dismounted and crippled cannon o
artridge boxes. ETC.. etc. promiscuous 6
y scattered everywhere while the v
hivered timber, fragments of exploded n
hells. and bullet marks on the trees. al
II attest that there must have been M
reat uncertainty Of life anywhere in al
hat vicinity during such metallic hail ri
torn. Then the numerous graves and 10
renches filed with dead. show tina e'
,any brave fellow there received his IL
uietus. ii
We have to-day completed another e'
'eek's routine of camp life. with its ra
rills. fatigues. ETC.. not excepting eu- ia
hree. poker. and lager beer fatigue:, til
'r the latter of which our boys have W
ecided taste. Consequence-some of
lem occasionally come into quarters as
cry much overdone. indeed. positively it
derned tired" We have been here Fl