The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-08-12

intensely southern. In COuftlanu DuL
one man is known to profess Union SYM
pathies, and his life has long hung upon
a thread. One planter, whose estate lies
near the bridge, processes attachment for
the old flag, and has offered his negroes,
to the number Of sixty, to assist in throw
ing up defenses. Recollect, this is North
ern Alabama, said to be so strongly I'm
ion in sentiment, and yet but two men
can be found in all this part of it to &C
knowledge themselves our friends.
Now let us look little at our manage
ment here. The guerrilas have in the
mountains, fifteen miles south, force of
some twelve thousand. There is also a
regular force of nearly ten thousand.
There is nothing between them and this
railroad but our pickets. We have a
long line ofroad to guard and but few
troops with which to guard it. There
are numerous bridges to be protected,and
our forces are cut up into detachments,
one of which is stationed at every impor
tant bridge. La many cases but two or
three companies are stationed in place,
with perhaps small body of cavalry for
scouting. The consequence of such
rashness is exemplifed in the capture OF
the force recently stationed at this point
They can quite safely capture us by
squads.
Again, white northern soldiers are
compelled to perform drudgery and Sc
we're labor of every description, which
the thousands of negroes belonging to
secessionists in this valley, would be glad
to do The force here consists of the
42d Illinois Infantry aud seven compan.
les of the 18th Illinois Cavalry We have
chosen our positions, and are hastily for
tifying them, working day and night
1t is really ecearing om our men, The
work before Corinlh was poetry in com
parison. Here are thousands of negroes
to be had by simply taking them, and al
abundance of subsistence throughout the
country to support them. We nigh
easily have had three hundred negroes a
work on the very day of our arrivol
But no, the commandant of this post
/ (Col. Harrington, of the 27th ILL.,, )coult
not think Of the thing. We must no
harm our enemy, even in feeling-h,
might not like it, should we use his ne
groes, so we will kill of our own men a.
rapidly as possible, and IN addition, con
siderately guard every secesh well, or
chard, coruield and onion patch make
forsooth, this war a-humbug and farce
We guard rebel hen-roost at night, ant
} in the morning receive jeer, a curse
!, or bullet, for our pains. The army i
becoming sick Of such tomfoolery. w
do not wish harm 10 the innocent W
would protect the helpless wife and chill
dren of the guilty rebel, but we woul,
deprive him of every thing that coul'
possibly aid him in wagng war agains
, us. Bilterer and bitterer grow the feel
ings of the soldier as he worries along th
highway thirsty and hungry, to find I'm
, ion bayonets thrust into his face, as
seeks drink of cold water at the frs
; well, or ventures to take ripe, lusciou
7 peach from an orchard of thousan
( trees. He perchance questions the ne
J gro, grinning hard by, as to the where
7 abouts of his master, the owner of thes
S touch me -nots. 90 massa he be wi
dc seceshers in de mountains missu
: say he soon clean out desc nasty Yar
. KEGS" And those bayonets are TO gual
r his property! Would not your bloc
D boil ? THIS milk andwster policy
+ rapidly making milk and water army
! our once spirited and enthusiastic SO
s diers.
0 Our position here is precarious. "
{ are liable TO attack at any moment by 8
!. overwhelming force Of the enemy, and
a view of the fact that our boys have be,
7, rapidly worn down by negro work in Il
o bitches, we may BIO compelled TO ha
o down the colors. but never till resistan
is helpless. We can at least make a
t other Lexington, though we may n
!, boast Mulligan.
Q j. l.. LOOMS.
United States Arms in New York.
Ernnl The Y Y Irihnnn 81