The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-11-25

the wharf depot As soon as it was
light, all hands were busy removing
their baggage. The weather had been
lno up to this time, but the cold rain
drops came falling thick and fast till the
snowhakes began to fly. The regiment
did little cooking here, then loaded,
and at three p. M. we found ourselves
snugly seated in good passenger cars,
winding orr way up the Wisconsin
River, among the picturesque hills. Our
course was up the Wisconsin River for
number of miles, then eastward to
Madison, the Capitol. Here the citizens
had prepared most excellent coffee, which
was gladly received. 1t was dark, and
| cannot give a description Of the city.
noticed, however, right in town, one OF
the four lovely little lakes. 1t was moon
light as we swept alongside this lake.
The gentle moonbeams, reflected from
the silver waters, lent beauty to the
scene. The locomotive rafting along,
poured out its great volumes of smoke
and fire, which produced wild enthusi-
asm. Next morning at 9 o'clock we arriv-
ed in Chicago. The troops march he'd
through the city, down past the Sherman
House. Approached the Tribune Office,
halted and gave three cheers. Then
marched down through Lake street 10
the Illinois Central Depot. The cars
were in waiting. The troops again par
took of coffee prepared by some of the
good Chicago people. AT four P. M.
we were ready to start for the land of
cotton. Just before starting. the Wis
consin SD arrived, fully equipped and
ready to follow US. The cars rolled
out across the lake slowly, giving
US good opportunity to view the great
metropolis of The Northwest. But few
days ago we were in the vast wilder
ness, now we are gazing first over the
blue rolling waters of Lake Michigan,
then at the innumerable throng that
crowd through the busy streets. How
different the work of art from those Of
nature. How strikingly grand the
former. How exquisetly beautiful the
latter. To climb the rugged mountain
and look from its giddy summit across
fertile PLAINS that stretch away to crystal
streams, draws out our limited concep-
tons into vast unbounded thoughts
10 stand in the heart of great and
magnificent city, and listening to its
noise and hustle, look up to it's lofty
spires pointing upward to the sky, gives
US exalted ideas OF mans great capacity
and noble manhood, We passed by the
grave yard where, it is said, repose the
remains OF the great Statesman, Stephen
A. Douglas. Statesmen who have
reared the massive pillars on which
rests the the temple of constitutional
liberty are sleeping beneath the blood
stained sod. Pools of blood from limo
cent patriots are sinking through the
matted grass, and wetting the remains of
those who have fought for the perpetuity
of the American Union.
We rolled through Illinois in double
quick time, only catching passing
glance of the numerous excellent fertile
farms scattered on the level prairies
We saw no special evidence of loyalty
until we came to Egypt. Then the
whole country seemed fired with deyo-
ton to the old Union. Old women
stood at the gateway, and waved their
handkerchiefs in token of friendship and
sympathy. Young ladies stood in the
doors OF their homes, seemingly longing
for Union. The little boys and girls
appeared in the chamber windows and
displayed the stars and stripes. What
should call forth such manifestations Of
loyalty | cannot quite explain. Perhaps
it was only the true who thus acted, and
perhaps it was many of the semi secesh-
ion throng who infest that region, who
Tor lack OF courage TO openly avow their
principles, cowardly seek protection
meath the sheltering fold of the flag of
the free.
We arrived in Cairo about ten o'clock
last night, and found to our great delight
the other portion of the regiment They
had come down the river, and beaten us
here about week. We earnestly hope
that our regiment may not again be
separated. Our destination is yet a
mystery, but if you will allow me to
prophecy little, / will suggest that it
will be this place this winter. There
are three hundred rebels here 10 be
guarded. The Iii. l0lst is performing
that duty now, but that regiment being
fit for duty, it will probably be ordered