The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-16

w no ldu DetH Cttailcu OH tle lOhSUuiS
expedition, awaiting orders. Two extra
men from each company were detailed
to accompany the expedition. Memphis
is magnificent city. At present it is
teeming with military life. The loca
ton is most beautiful; and the place is
said TO be healthy one. l rode back
and forth through the streets, viewing
The city, and if Tennessee was free
State | see no reason for not being anx
ious TO live there. There were at the
time we came to Memphis, some $4,000
troops in and about the city. The
people of Tennessee are of doubtful 10y
atty. Some are doubtless true 10 the old
Union, while others, inundated by the
union army, cover their secession fangs
with the garb of loyalty, Soldiers are
shot almost daily by rebels. Next
morning after we arrived in Memphis We
marched out into the country some two
and a half or three miles southeast, and
encamped there. The day was quite
warm and many of the boys become
much wearied. On that march we pass
ed some very elegant houses, erected in
most beautiful yards. Such lovely ever
green trees as they have there, are
enough to almost call our affections from
the bleak prairies of the north to this
sunny cline. While you shiver, we
can sleep in perfect comfort in the open
air, uncovered save by our blanket. Not
only. the climate, but the fair homes call
on us for an unfiinching, unyislding
death struggle. There is building
hard by where we camped said TO be-
the home OF a rebel General. 1t is re-
ported that this man at the, outbreak OF
war, gave $250,O0O for its support, then
sent two sons, next hired two soldiers,
afterward went himself. The house is
now confscated property. 1t is by far
the most magnificent place | ever saw.
The house is substantial brick strucl-
ure The yard is elegantly laid out, and
splendidly decorated. AT each front
corner of the house there is statue,
designed to represent one of the goddess
es. Such place as this in free land,
a land inhabited by human people, the
wealth of the half of Buchanan County
could not purchase.
We were brigaded in that camp, and
it was our good fortune to get into
Gen. Humans brigade. The people Of
Iowa were proud of him as a Colonel,
and they expect him to be equal in his
present capacity. We marched from
camp Gilbert, under command of Brig.
Gen. Lauman Our sick who were out
-------.-- r..-l--.Arsl e'l Ia care VI capt.
G. R. Miller and Lieut.. Donnan. Like
all other movements Of the army, no one
could tell Of our course or destination
except those in largest authority. We
marched over good road down into
Miss, thence in the direction Of Holly
Springs. We travelled about IA or Is
miles each day. When we came to the
enemy's land, our boys put the confisca
ton act in force to its full extent. They
confiscated potatoes, chickens, turkeys,
geese, mules and negroes. Before we
reached Gen. Sherman's headquarters
we had in our brigade, | doubt not,
hundred mules, and half as many ne
groes. They also burned many build
ings by the roadside. If the privates
had their way | believe they would de-
vastate the whole country. When we
reached the Major Generals quarters he
declared the officers should be arrested.
That Captains should be held response
BILE for the acts of the company, that
there was one way to coniiscate property,
and when it was confiscated il should be
done IN that way. Last evening we ar
rived here, pitched our tents. We are six
miles from Holly Springs. We have the
best water here that we have had since
we left Minnesota. How long we shall
tary here none of us know. 1t is re
ported that we move in the morning to
reinforce Grant, and that he is TO move
on the rebels with so, 900 men.
We have in this brigade the 130lh
and l17th Ill. infantry, the 12th Indi
ana, SD Wisconsin, eth Iowa and Rog-
ers' battery. In this army corps, there
are 80 regiments OF infantry, batteries
and regiment Of cavalry. Soon We
shall see fight, in all probability, and
Iowa's host, in high position and in low,
will, as their brothers have done here
tofore. strike effeciually for the Union.
G. IL. l..