The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-11-18
Correspou dence of the Guardian.

Correspondence OF the Guardian.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE 9th Iowa RrGiMENTl
CAMP GILBERT, MINI. Nov Sd 1863.
FRIEND Rich My last was written
at Anoka. AS we marched toward our
destination, our number of able bodied
men diminished rapidly. Company G. left
quite large proportion, Some were
down with the measles, others with the
the various diseases incident to camp.
For little distance from Anoka there
are marks of civilization. The roads are
passable for several miles. Now and
then rude hut is scattered along the
roadside, at which single wanderer
might obtain morsel of food, but thew
afford scanty subsistence for hungry
regiment. When, however, we had
travelled few miles, the good roads were
gone, and we had a muddy, rutty and al
most impossible roads. We passed the
bounds of civilization, and were lost
amid tho lofty pine trees, in the great
Minnesota wilderness. Not bird was
there to chant his mirtaful song amid
the boughs Of that solitary forest. This
seems to have been lone land from the
time when the " morning stars first sang
together, and all the sons of God shout.
ed for joy"
At Princeton there were a few Indi.
ans. From that town to Mile Lac we
saw but very few. For four long days
did we travel through the deep mud, and
each night pitched our tents among the
dense woods, on the banks Of the Red
River. At last the troops came in sight
of Mile Lac. The novelty of the trip
had worn away into drear monotony,
but at the the sight of the wigwams and
the dingy inmates, all were wide awake.
Lieut.. Col. Lake had gone ahead with
the artillery, which he had vigorously
led through into camp. Col. Gilbert,
setting erect and manly upon his noble
bay, at the head of his regiment, pre-.
sented soldier-l like appearance. AS we
moved along, the whole Indian race
came from their smoky huts, and seem
ed to express joy to greet their rich
neighbors. Little Indian boys climbed
on the old decaysd stumps. and were
eager to watch our every movement.
The deep eyes Of the girls peered out
from behind the burnt trees, and seem
ed to catch all our looks and actions.
Some Of your readers may be curious
to know the size and appearance OF Camp
Mile Lao. There is one snugly built
log house, an old stable, and passably
good barn or storehouse. There are
two Americans and half dozen French.
There were there when we arrived,
about thirteen or fourteen hundred Indi-
ans. 1t is situated on either side of a
small tributary Of the Rum. There is a
small farm of two or three acres close
by, from which crop of potatoes had
been just arvested After had looked
about little. the teams came plodding
along. But few men could have sue
ceeded SO admirably in such swamp,
as did our wagon master, B. G.. Hale
His efforts were untiring, and he is just
ly applauded for it. We remained but
day or two. The Indians were much
pleased with Uncle Sans splendid show,
and all the while exhibited the truest
friendship. As is customary at such
times, they gathered thickly around our
camp fires, to exhibit their treasures and
beg for presents. Some of them showed
signs OF civilization, while others appear.
ed 10 be in perfectly barbarous condi.
ton. They were poorly clad and lily
fed. The objsctrof our expedition was
to pay these Indians. A council was
held one evening, the paymaster and
agent took seats beside log. and the
Indians all soon gathered about
Speeches were then made by the Gov
ernment authorities, interpreted by the
trader. The old chief and several others
OF lesser rank replied, which speeches
were in turn rendered into English.
They complained of having been mis-
treated by their agents. and requested
that their next man might be a strictly
honest man. They declared themselves
loyal, and remarked that when the diff
Guilty arose, they closed their ears, and
that they closed them 50 tight that they
could not be opened. In their march
they carried the stars and stripes, sus-
pended upon hickory poll. They
chung to j. as the only hope of the fast
fading race. Being in such destitute
condition, four companies were obliged
to start back before the payment was
made. Gen. Roberts, escorted by
twenty five from each Of the companies
which remained here, superintendent the