The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-07-14

here is the Sd Mimi. battery which ac.
companies the expedition, with its field
pieces and plenty of shell and shrapnel.
They are our main dependence against
large body of Indians, for while they
(the Indians) say they can skulk and
hide from the bullet and dodge solid shot
"those rotten balls, no good" Below
them, drawn up outside, are the pontoons,
Q large yellow fiat boats for bridging
rivers, and two companies OF the 9Th ac,
company them as sappers and miners.
To your right are the two long wooden
sheds, at one time filed TO the roof with
commissary stores, but now pretty well
empted. Lohg lines of six mule teams
are drawn up here, and the quickness
with which hard tack, salt pork and other
delicGcieS of a soldiers ration are loaded
up, checked off, and the team started
out OF the way, is wonder 10 the unin
itiated. 225 wagons are loaded up with
rations, averaging 81 or $500 pounds
to the wagon. Here TOO are the ambu-
lances well covered, spring wagons, some
90 or more. God grant we may have
little use for them, but the long march
of eight or min hundred miles, will place
many a poor fellow horS du combat Of an
Indian bullet or arrow never whistles
near US. Now LET us cross over to the
other side of the camp, passing the suit
ler's tent, where almost everything ea.a-
bic can be had-Gor a consideration.
The consideration is rather heavy, and
the weights "vice versa" as you will
discover ifyou conclude to patronize
him but we won't stop just now. SUIT
ding in the army is extremely profitable,
for soldier as a general thing like Jack
Tar, when he has plenty Of money only
knows one other thing, how TO spend it.,
and i! is not much wonder that many
Colonels whose love for lucre is greater
than their patriotism are apt to have
their fingers in the fire. Now We come
into the cavalry quarters, eight compan-
les OF which will go with US. Up and
down the whole length of tie broad
streets a double row of horses are pick
eted. and IS you perceive they are in
good order, and capable of undergoing a
large amount Of work. Their services
will be invaluable 10 us as we advance
for the crafty Indian will never risk a
general battle, save in overpowering
numbers, but viii skulk and lie in am
bush to attack US unaWares, and at a
disadvantage in the rayines and wooded
gulles through which we may pass
With these mounted rangers to scout
ahead and protect our flanks, we may bid
them defiance. In the distance scatter
ed here aud there, are parks of wagons,
their white canvass coverings contrast
ing finely with the rich green of the prai-
re, and between them and us, mules,
cattle and horses are scattered around
promiscuously. Some 800 of the long
cared gentry accompanying the expedi-
ton.
Everything looks calm and peaceful
now, but let one of those pickets upon
the distant hills ride his horse in n cir.
Gle at full gallop, and how quick the
scene would change. There would be
mounting in hot haste, and charging to
and fro, long lines of soldiers would file
out upon the green, then would be the
sharp words of command, and the quick
obedience the dashing hilher and thith,
or Of mounted orderliss, carrying MESA
ges from headquarters, and every eye
would be strained to catch the first ap-
paarance Of the enemy. But there is no
danger, scouts are out daily for miles
around and report not the slightest sign
OF the skulking savage. So we can re.
tire 10 our blankets and dream Of friends,
feeling secure that our scalp will be in
the morning in the place where the
wool ought 10 grow"
JUNE 20.-We have now been upon
the march five days, lying over yester-
day at Riggs Creek. We are now 25
miles above Yellow Medicine Agency,
having followed up the Minnesota River
and are at present encamped some 40
rods from the stream, which. here, is
hardly as large as the Wapsie at your
town. Not sign Of the Indian yet, and
| fear we shall never get near enough to
see their rascally countenances. Prairie
upon prairie to-day, as as You travel
hour after hour, around on and on with
nothing bu this green sea of vegetation
and the boundless blue Of the sky. ex.
cept few scanIy trees along the river
bottom, you begin TO have realizing