The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-02-04
respondcnce of the Guardian,
HEAD QUARTERS 5th Iowa Regt.,l
Boonville, Mo-, Jan. "a, '62. {

FRIEND RGcH The appointment Of
Lane has created considerable surprise
and dissatisfaction here 1t is feared
that he will adopt system of warfare in
furious TO the interests of the Govern
ment, and force a good many persons,
who nov occupy neutral grounds, into
the secession ranks. Ask STAKEHOLDER
who he hates and fears the most, and he
will reply Jim Lane. And | fear that
Lane, while at the head of his troops on a
former occasion, did allow them to pill
lage to greater extent than was neces-
sary. This turning large army loose
upon section of country already impov-
erlshed, and giving them to understand
that they are TO forage, cut and slash as
they please, is not very pleasant to re-
fleet upon, and the chances are that the
enemy, instead of becoming Inundated
and saddened, will be inspired with en-.
thusiasm to fight ten times harder. The
best thing that England did towards es-
tablishing our independence in the war
of l776-77 was the quarterng of troops
in the city of Boston and New York
The federal soldiers could undergo any
amount of hardships without murmur
he only logged for an opportunity to
strike at the invaders of his home. A
dignifed and honorable warfare should
be pursued under all circumstances, no
matter how strong the provocation may
be TO retaliate.
The monotony of our life has been
somewhat disturbed by the recent battle
of Silver Greek Gan account of which |
presume you have seen) and the influx
of number of prisoners, as the fruits
thereof. One detachment of eighty were
brought to the city under a strong es-
cort, and placed in the Jail until arrange
ments could be completed for sending
them to St. Louis. 1t is hard TO conceive
Of a sight more humiliating and touch :
ing than gang of men huddled togeth-
er like sheep in slaughter house await
ing their fate with the most stoical in
difference, and know that these poor de-
iuded mortals are our own countrymen.
Many of the prisoners were young, mere
boys, in fact. totally unfit to endure the
rlgors of a military life, and who had
been induced to take the fatal step with
out the least reflection. Some have been
sent back to their mothers with the
strong injunction to remain under her
protecting wing for year or two at least.
The prisoners have all been taken to St.
Louis.
At the present writing, Boonvlle pre-,
sents quite lively appearance. From
the levee back up into Main Street the
sidewalks are thronged with moving
mass Of humanity, intent upon enjoying
the beautiful weather, and seeing the Ii.
ons of the metropolis. Infantry, caval.
ry, mules, niggers, citizens, ladies with
and without hoops, shop.men running
frantically hi;her and thither, form a par
h-colored scene that would be hard to
beat. On such occasions the Provost
Marshal and his assistant are kept pretty
busy. for the pleasure seekers must have
passes to get outside the pickets. Co.
ing down the street short time ago, my
attention was arrested by seeing large
pursy man, the rotundity Of whose abdo-
men would excite the envy OF the Boston
City Council, standing on the sidewalk
and recounting TO an imaginary crowd
his grievances Il come to this city,
gentlemen, for the purpose of hunting
up my niger. lie ran away from me
some time ago, and | spect he's in among
the Iowa troops. He's nearly white, got
piece Of his left ear bitten off, and is a
great hand to pray. He'll beat half the
ministers, now, telling about the king
dom, and | want to keep him on that &C
count. Now no one can say that l mis-
used him. He's hearn some o. these
abolition stories, and put out. Now if
any on ye will tell where that nigger is,
and help me get him, I'll treat We to all
the peach brandy we can drink. I've
got some that old Noah helped put up
himself"
The last saw of the gentleman, he
was standing on the sidewalk prasing
up the institution of Slavery, Abe Lin.
coin, and the Iowa boys, to the skies
There has not been much trouble about
slaves escaping and when they are found
within our lines they are generally re-
turned on application being made for
them. This seems rather hard, but it is
the best course that can be pursued
The Illinois companies have gone to Join
their regiment, now stationed at Lamne
! Bridge. The only troops here now are