The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-01-14

and Typhoid fever. The measles have
proved fatal in many instances in conse-
quence of not taking care of themselves
for short time after getting out doors
Twenty of our noble young men have
gone.
"They sleep their last sleep
They have fought their last battle
No sound can awake them, to glory again"
They have gained the victory; if not
on the battle field, they have endured
more suffering, and died at their post
like brave soldiers. 1t is a solemn scene
to witness the funeral procession of our
fellow soldiers. The brass band precedes
the corpse, followed by the company Of
the deceased, with arms reversed, and
march with mournful step TO the place
of interment. The poor fellows pay the
last honors to their departed friend by
firing a salute over lis grave.
Our friend, r. E. Freeman, OF COM
pany c., was buried on the 18th of De-
cember. l never shall forget the feel
ings that came over me when he was
brought from the barracks to the hospi-
tai. saw that his time with us was
short. He reached out his emaciaed
hand to me, and while the tears rolled
down his sunken cheeks he said, "Dr.,
| am so glad to see you can't you help
me, l feel SO bad?" ] told him we would
do all we could for him. | Immediately
had him placed in clean bed, and made
him as comfortable as possible. This
was Wednesday evenng.th 11th. The
next morning he seemed to rest bet
ter, and said be hoped he would soon be
able to go home. A minister from Mar
ion happened in to see the sick, and
speak word Of encouragement TO the
blava sons Of Iowa. He asked Reuben
if he felt that he could put his trust in
the Savior, to which he replied -" Yes,
| love the Savior, and am sorry | have
not loved him more" We knelt down
at his bedside while the minister offered
a petition for the restoration to health of
our young friend and soldier. But
must close this mournful sketch, simply
saying, give me death on the battle field
rather than a lingering disease and death
in camp. away from home and friends.
Dec. 25th, 1861.
You see by this date that it is some
time since commen ced to write. We
are greeted this morning with merry
Christmas with an order TO march. Ev-
cry thing is confusion. all are packing
up and getting ready to start. The sick
list has diminished rapidly, and many
would 60 that are not able, if they were
allowed to. Your humble servant is de-
tailed to stay with the sick. Adjutant
Scott has just called to bid us good bye
He thinks it may be two monshs before
we are all together again. All the goods,
baggage, artillery, and all the rest of the
fxings, are loaded on the cars for Rolla.
One reg iment of cavalry has just past,
on its way to Rolla, and others are ex.
pecled to follow the 9th Iowa to day.
I2 o'cLocK.-We are standing in the
door Of the hospital. with our better half,
to see our brave boys leave for the seat
of war. All seem delighted with the
prospect of a chance to do something for
the country. but we are again disappoint-
ed. A man comes running, and tells us
the order to move is countermanded
Another says they have taken Price and
all his men prisoners, and we are TO be
discharged from service-that the war
is ended. The former report is true
we are to remain in statu quo till further
orders. All the men have gone to their
old camping grounds. and have com
menced putting up more barracks with a
slight inclination of making this our win
ter quarters Wa are getting matters ar
ranged-so that it begins to look little
like home.
The sick feel highly grateful to the
Aid Societies for the many comforts they
continue to receive. The ladies Of Inde.
pendence are often spoken OF, when the
sick soldier rests his weary head upon
the nice soft pillows, and reads upon he
quilt or sheet, Ladies' Aid Society, In.
dependence. 1t often brings tear of
gratitude, and " God bless the ladies Of
Buchanan Co., they are always first in
every good cause, may they still contin-
ue their good work in the cause of their
country" We still lack many things TO
make the sick comfortable, such as iel-
lies, wines and other delicacies. We
have plenty Of the substantials, such as
bread, meat. potatoes. rice, coffee and su-
gar. The hospital fund also furnishes a
little means for the purchase OF eggs.
butler milk kc