The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-10-20

we never did propose that-but give us
reasonable ssistsnce, and we are ever
ready to do our share. This is the spir
it of The Army of the Cumberland, and
If the enemies Of the Republic can find
any consolation in it, they are welcome
to it.
Burnside's movements have for some
time been mystery to us. While our
corps was lying near Alpine, Chattooga
Co, Ga, i became evident, from the
fact that Bragg did not continue his re-
IL eat from Chattanooga, that he was re-
ceiving heavy reinforcements and would
probably fight us. We knew that he
would not risk battle, unless confident
Of his ability to overwhelm us with nun
bers. Under these circumstances it was
a question of importance to us, what re-
Inducements aCe were receiving. The
powers over us knew Of the anxiety
throughout the corps, and the report was
industriously circulated that Burnside
had arrived and was on our left. or
course nobody pretends to credit ordina-
ry camp rumors, but this report was
odorous with the veracious perfumes Of
"Hd. Qrs.," and besides, it was so agree
able TO believe it So everybody had
| faith in Burnside, and we said with the
greatest satisfaction, "let them come on
with hundred thousand, if they like"
Had Burnside really been on hand, we
would have given the rebels their final
threshing.) While we were crossing and
re-crossing for the third time Lookout
Mountain, on our way 10 take position on
the right, in Chickamauga valley, the
report was daily reiterated, Burnside
has come" and these were the words Of
tenest in the mouths Of the soldiers. 1t
was not till the morning Of the first day
of battle that the solemn truth was known.
The facts that $4,000 Virginia troops
had been sent 10 Bragg and that Burn
side was not in supporting distance, be,
came known together, and were any
thing but cheering to our army. That
this fact had its effect on the battle, can
not be denied ; still history will give the
Army of the Cumberland credit for
fighting the most desperate battle of the
war. But when ore wishes to imply a
peculiarly large joke, now, he simply
says, " Burnside has come
An amusing affair occurred between
the lines on the night Of the 9Th ult. 1t
is interesting as evidence of the readi.
ness with which the victorious army OF
Bragg becomes alarmed Lookout Noun
tain terminates in an elevated point, on
the river, little beyond our extreme
right. We had signal station on this
point, guarded by regiment but the
position was not deemed Of essential i'm
portance and was abandoned on the night
of Sept 23l. The enemy took posses.
sion, the following day, planted battery
of three guns, and in the afternoon tire W
few shells into our lines, wounding one
man. We quietly deepened and widen
ed our trenches, expecting heavy can
nonading the next day. That night a
hundred of our cavalry were out on a re.
connoisance, and losing their way, soon
found themselves inside the rebel lines
With the greatest assurance they rode
through the enemy's camps, answering
to all interrogatories that they were
! Wheeler's cavalry. Covered with dust,
their uniform was not distinguished in
the darkness, and they babe fair to make
the rounds of the camps. This did verv
well until they became aware that a
squadron of genuine rebel cavalry was
at their heels They fastened their
movements and passed safely outside the
enemy's pickets, but in approaching our
own lines, the sentinels, mstaking them
for rebels, fred upon them. The rebel
sentnels, thinking the fire directed to
themselves, naturally returned it, and
our cavaliers found themselves between
two fires. They Immediately dismount.
ed and Rugged the ground Both ar.
mics were aroused, and the firing along
the guard lines was continued some
time, but ii gradually died away, leay-
ing us to wonder what it could all be
about. Strange to say. not a man nor a
horse Of the cavalry was injured AT
ter All had become quiet they contriyed
to make their true character known TO
our sentincls, when they safely entered
camp But the pith Of the affair remains
to be told The rebel chienain, awaken.
ed abruptly from his dreams Of glory,
became quickly and profoundly impress
ed with the idea that Rosy was making