Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-12

Moro Celery for lowA.
The telegraph brought tho gratifying in
diligence yesterday Of another battle At Craw-
ford Prairie, near Fayetteville, Arkansas, in
which the valor and determination Of Western
troops, have again proved victorious over
overwhelming forces. .--...-
The battle ground is located about ten
miles southeast ofFayetteville, which town is
situated in Washington county, Arkansas,
shout forty miles south Of the State line
This battle has beer decisive victory for our
troops. We predict that Iowa has had anoth-
er laurel added to the wreath Of glory with
which she is already encircled. Two more
of her noble regiments have won for them
selves glorious names, on nearly the same
ground where the 4th and 9th won such
world wide regulations, and not far from the
eyer.to-be-remembered field Of Wilson's
Creek, where the "First'' marked out a course
as a pattern for succeeding Iowa regiments to
follow, and won a name for themselves, and
for cur State, that will never be forgotten.
There were two Iowa regiments engaged in
this hard fought and sanguinary battle, the
10Th and Goth. The former was raised in
the first Congressional District, and was COM
manded by Col. Crabb, of Washington. Col.
Crabb was formerly Captain in the 7th,
and fought aravely at the battle Of Belmont
in which engagement he was taken prisoner.
He was held by the rebels for nearly year.
On his release he was appointed Col. OF the
10th regiment, then being organized. Inc
goth was raised in the I'd District, and was
commanded by Col. VIM. E. Dye, Of the
regular army. He is said to be All excellent
officer.
We make the prediction that these two
regiments will, when the results are known,
be found worthy to take their places along
side of the glorious bands of Iowa's heroes
that have proceeded them in the strife. They
will be placed in glowing colors along with
the "Glorious First" the Immortal
Second" the "Noble Third" the "Brave
Fourth" the "Gallant Fifth" the Seventh,
(of which noble regiment no phrase can be
found expressive of its many daring deeds, }
the sth, 9th, 10th, 18th, 18th, 18th, 14th,
10th 10th and 18th, each of which have left
their mark wherever they have been brought
to face the fire. sci.
We make these predictions from the fact
that, not single Iowa regiment has ever
been placed in battle, that they have not come
out covered with glory, their decimated ranks
being fearful witness Of the bravery with
which they have stood under murderous
fires.
Our rejoicings over this glorious victory
must, however, be tempered with sorrow at
the death Of one of the noblest sons of Iowa
Lieutenant Colonel S. Mcfarland, of the 10th
regiment. Col Mcfarland was q leading
member of the Bar at Mt. Pleasant, Henry
county-which county he formerly represent.
ed in the Legislature, and, during his term,
was Speaker of the House. At the breaking
out of the rebellion he took an active part in
the enlistment of volunteers, and to his elo.
quence is due, in great measure, the large
number who have gone from "High Henry
He soon threw himself more entirely into the
work, and raised company, Of which he was
unanimously elected Captain. This company
was assigned to the 18th regiment and was
led by him through all its fortunes until the
organization of the 10th regiment, when he
resigned to accept the appointment of Lieut..
Colonel of the latter regiment, which was ten.
dered to him.
Col. Mcfarland was brave and true SOL
der. and a perfect gentleman. During our
long acquaintance (having known him for a
number of years) we have never heard a
word whispered against his character. AS a
lawyer he was in the front rank. His early
death will be a sad blow to his numerous
friends. He leaves a wife and two children to
mourn his untimely death.
No other field officers on our side were
killed in the engagement.
AN IMPORTANT Bullion. Schuyler Col
fax has just introduced bill into the House
of Representatives authorizing Assistant
Assessors to administer oaths and affirma-
tons. The bill was Immediately read first
and second time, and referred to the Com
mittee of Ways and Means. 1t passed. This
bill will greatly facilitate the labors of Assist
ant Assessors.
AMERICAN Jurs. This plant is said to
grow in abundance in the swamp lands of
Pennsylvania, New jersey, New York, and
other Eastern States. In it's natural state the
plant grows from five to seven feet in height,
and is from one half to hve-eighths ola inch
in diameter. Its yield in fibre Is large. An
acre of mar h nd near Burlington, N. j.,
was plowed and the seeds scattered along the
burrows on the 18th of April last, and in s
TENDER the ground was Tricky studded with
plants. Previous experiment has discovered
that where stalks have been cut off the one
season, dozen more spring up the next. No
insect has yet been discovered depredating
upon it. 1t is thought by close observation
that from three to three and a half tons of f.
bre can be derived from single acre of
ground. Rope and paper manufacturers have
estimated it to be worth 500 per ton. It
will take the place of linen rags in the manu-
facture ofpaper. The plant is perfectly hardy,
and needs no care or cultivation after the
first year. t-f1
If all this is found, upon further expert
ment, to be true, a new avenue is opened for
turning the refuse lands of those Safes to
some practical account, and to the western
men it is also Of interest, if the plant can be
grown to advantage upon tho large unre.
clai an sln,lOhS and Inv lauda If tha ,.e;r;oc