The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-02
Correspondence Of the Guardian.


correspondent finds himself occupying
bunk in cot Award s, general hospital,
La Grange Tom, and Of course under
these new and peculiar circumstances
feels somewhat nervous in addressing
the kind readers Of the Guardian. After
perambulating the whole State OF
Missouri, drinking the muddy waters OF
now to be disabled and confined in
the Mississippi beneath the frownipg
guns of Fort Pillow, racing over the
pine-clad hills of Tishomingo, INDUCING
in one or two small fights, and foraging
hogs, vans and turkeys from the secesh,
a hospital, when on the eve OF still great
er pleasures and ,riumphs, is positively
disgusting. The quinine and beef soup
brigade are undoubtedly entitled to
much glory, but l hardly like their
system of drill, which consists Of fitting
a fellow with ticket, good for any
amount Of nauseous DEMONSTRATING his
head until he resembles a bowling
dervishe, and getting him ready for the
coffin in the Quarlermaster's hands soon
as possible. 1t may be romantic, and
sound well in novel, TO have it go forth
to the world that brave Union soldier
is suffering and piuing away in the hos
pital with a lame foot, which lamenese
was caused by tramping over the rough
roads of the Hatchie after Price, but
candor compels your correspondent to
acknowledge that his disability was &C.
casioned by violent sprain, received BY
him while in eager chase ola very fine
promising hog, belonging to a rebel plan.
ter. And now as | turn over in my
bunk o'nights, and try to get the penal
ty of my disobedience in an easy pos
ture, my only consolation aside from my
testament is the reflection that | got the
vilanious porcine brute at last and car
ried him triumphanlly TO camp, where l
was greeted with The warmest demonstra-
tons of welcome by the ragged, hungry,
funny mess, comprising the simple ones
Of Company E. Fifth Regt. Iowa Vols.
La Grange is without exception the
most beautiful town in West Tennessee.
AS you are doubtless aware, il is situated
on the Corinth and Memphis R. r., and
is forty seven miles from the latter
| IL --l:l~ .L--~-~. H.. ~L~-. A..
ance Is Grand junction. The surround
ing country is lovely in the extreme and
very rich in natural productions. This
valley of the Chuarhad and Hatchie
streams, comprises the cream Of the
State, and here if anywhere are 10 be
seen evidences of southern prosperity
and grandeur. Along the rivers, heavy
forests of beach, oak, cypress and syca-
more abound further back, fine rolling
plains succeed, and these are dotted with
broad plantations, which in times OF
peace ruslled vast fields of corn and cot
ton. La Grange, unlike manv other Of
Its sister towns, WAS the center of
flourishins inland trade, and during the
hot summer months was much resoried
to by the southern grandees, on account
OF its natural beauties and salubrious
climate. Here are waving trees, leafy
walks, fowery gardens and spacious
parks. There to the east winds the sill
very Hatchie with its fringe of dark
green pine, while other forest trees in
their tintings Of autumn yellow and SAT
from, make fine appearance. The town
itself is laid out with 10 regard to angles
and we'll defined streets, but we can well
pardon this in consideration of the nu-
merous subur ban private residences that
are thrown in here and there. Around
each house is yard filled with shrub
berry and exotic plants, while bright
parteers of flowers and sparkling fouut-
aims convey ample testimony that the
residents were persons Of taste and re-
fnsment. speak in the past tense, for
now they are deserted or occupied by
negroes and orderlies, who are attached
TO the various headquarters. A few citi
zens, mostly women and children, rema
in, but the few ladies who promenade
the streets haunt their silks haughtily,
and would consider themselves disgrac
ed to admit federal soldier within speak
ing distance. But let ragged, dusty
butlernu,. captured by our cavalry
scouts, come dragging his slow length
along" and forthwith they will Though
an utter strangely clasp him in their
arms, and bestow on him more kisses
than ever Judas sought to beguiIe the
Savior with. Many families have been
reduced from a state of affiuencs, TO the
most extreme poverty, and il ia sad to