The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-06-03
From the Fifth.

Inc loiioWlnS Is the CONCLUSION OF
long letter from our esteemed correspon
dent, Mr.. REED, which we received yes
terday, too late for its entire publication
this week
THURSDAY MORNING, May 22.-Col.
WoRTHINGToN has been brought into
camp this morning liteless corpse. But
yesterday full of healthy, vigorous life,
and now so cold, pale and silent. The
details Of this melancholy affair are as
follows: Col. Worthington being gen
eral officer of the day, it was his duty to
make the grand rounds Of the guard,
visiting the pickels that were placed in
front Of our division. About one o'clock
this morning he started out with AID u
tant Patterson and Orderly Crawford
for the purpose Of again making the
rounds, and had nearly accomplished the
journey ofthe line, when, coming up to a
sentinel belonging to the 43d Illinois,
some misunderstanding arose between
them, and the sentinel fred, the ball pass
ing through the Colonel's head, killing
him instantly. What possessed the
guard to fire upon him when not at dis
lance Of more than ten feet, knowing as he
must that he was one of our own men, is
one Of those inexplicable mysteries which
never can be fully explained. Some say
that the sentinel was off from his post,
und thus the party approached him from
the direction of the enemy, but nothing
certain is known more than the fatal trag
edy. The news fell upon the regiment
with the suddenness and effect Of thun.
derbolt Excited groups Of soldiers are
gathered in the alleyway Many are
disposed to censure the sentinel and de-
clare that they will shoot him. Colonel
Worthington was the life of the regi-
ment. He did more to perfect them in
drill, promote discipline, and restrain ex-
cesses, than any other man, and it is
needless to say, was admired and respec
ted by both officers and privates. To
his family and numerous personal friends
it will be a terrible blow, and they have
the heartfelt sympathy of the entire reg
iment. His place will probably be filled
by Lieut., Col. Mathies.
1oA. M.-Heavy firing is now going
on between the pickets, and the white
puffs of smoke can be seen rising above
the tree-tops. 1t is exciting sport. You
are standing By tree, perhaps, listening
with the utmost attention, when whiz
comes ball, and at the same instant
butternut can be seen peering out from
his covert to ascertain the effect of his
shot Fatal curiosity The quick eye
Of the sharpshooter has detected him,
there is sudden report, a convulsive
clutching at the brush, and the rebel falls
back a corpse. Such scenes occur hour
ly.
In the groves the birds twitter and
sing, Nature, with her thousand voices
is having regular concert, the sun
shines down clear and glorious, pouring
its rays alike over verdant landscapes,
now serred with tents and artillery, and
on the mangled bodies of both friend and
foe.
The Governor Of Indiana was here
short time ago, and made speech to the
soldiers Of the 59th. He was sanguine
of ultimate success, though he was afraid
that the recent emancipation acts passed
by Congress, would not exert salutary
influence. The Governor is a fine look.
ing man, broad -shoudered, little in
clined to obesity, with black hair and
eyes.
4P. M.-The remains of Col. Worth.
ington just passed through camp. AS
tribute of respect to their departed com
marder, the 9th Iowa and the Ssh Hi.
nois regiments turned out in full uni
form. The carriage was followed by the
Adjuant. who carried in his hand the
Colonel's sword and belt 1t was an i'm
posing and melancholy sight. When
Gen. Buford was informed this morning
Of The Colonel's DEATH he burst into tears,
exclaming 1--WE have lost one of the
best men in the brigade"
G.. ]. r.
Rebellion or Scce ssion ism.