The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-08
Correspondence Of the Guardian.

Z HEAD tyRs. ZtIu IOWA, nENFHfS, tHN.,f
Nov. 2ist, 1863.
FRIEND RIcH On the morning Of
the l4h, We we're ordered TO prepare to
move with our camp aud garrison equip
age, to Memphis, Tennessee. Suddenly
the whole camp was astr. There was
but litte rest that night, and the next
morning all were up at an early hour.
As the regiment was to move, and as we
shopld not probably ever again visit the
| Capital Of Arkansas, | availed myself of
the opportunity of visiting Big Rock, a
high elevation Of land one mile above
Little Rock. Lieut. Wilcox was my
companion. Big Rock is a perpendcu
lar bluff, rocky and grand, rising to the
heio IT of 200 feet above the water in the
Arkansas Qiver A few slender pines
and cedars. with an occasional oak, peer
out from among the rocks, as you cast
your eye mp that perpendicular height.
The land retains its full height FAR back
from che bluff, aud is covered with a
rich growth Of thrifty oaks Standing
on the highest elevations, away 10 the
west YOU seq mountains rising high
above all The surrounding country, grand
old monuments of power, pointing up
ward to the skies where dwels the ON
nipotent one. Far down at The loot OF
the bluff rise the tall old trees Hat cast q
glance upward to this great nonl'or o.
power, the blushingly bow at lis bass
when the clouds lifting themselves up.
through the sky and drifting away, lend
additional GRANDEUR TO the scene.
When | arrived in camp found that
we were ordered TO be at the depot at s
O'Clock p. NJ, with all our camp and
garrison equipage. TO take ears for Du
yals Bluff Tents were being rolled up.
blankets being safely folded in knap.
sacks. and At 5 p. NJ we were at the De
pot awaiting the cars. But as soldiers
we have long since learned to wait. The
evening though pleasant was quite
cool aud We We're pretty thoroughly
chilled before p. NJ, the time when the
cars arrived. A large number of the
boys were without blankets or overcoats,
and you may guess We had pretty chill.
" time iding fiiiy miles in the dead of
night across TO the White River. There
were nine cars for five hundred men.
and one car for horses. As soon as we
/ had loaded the baggage, the men began
+ TO get aboard. Soon the ears were full
and our $50 men were wandering about
for place to ride. They searched dill.
gently for some place until 50 men We're
aboard, when il was impossible TO find
room for more. Capt. Haslip, OF com
pany 4, was ordered to remain at Little
Rock with his company until the NOR
row, when he was 10 follow. 4 few
from other companies who were unable
to get aboard the cars, were left, wht
will come on with Capt Ha,lip. Th,
cold increases-the Mind is rising, ant
our cars are only platform. Abou. II
p M away we move toward the Bluff
The ears run slowly. bat as fast as i
practicable under the circumstances, TO
the track is rough, and is laid through
an enemy's country, where il might ca
silly be torn up. When out in the wood
four or Eve miles, the smoke began t
, settle down lhickly among the trees. an
in few moments more it WAS alm6:
f., difficult to breathe The woods are .
fire The fire has climbed 10 the high
est tree tops, and the smoke in one COZ
tinued. uninterrupted yolume-thicl
: heavy aud oppressive drifts throug
the woods for distance oi one and
u hall miles When on $ ltd further Il