The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-06-02

piness in the sloughs OF the little Hatchie
that poured its sluggish stream to the
Southwest, and lost itself at last in the
Chevalla range. The low state Of the
commssary department. however, was a
powerful incentive to the boys courage,
and although the country was infested
with guerrillas, yet the terrors of these
could not deter our troops from making
frequent foragipg excursions, from
which they always returned with a sup
ply of stores that would have gladdened
the soul ofan epicure. Whenever detail
for grand guard was made, that embrac-
ed company E, host of venturesome
spirits could be seen supplying them
selves with tin pans, old kettles, boilers,
&c. &C., to be in readiness for the stores
Of milk, honey, fruit, &C., which were
shortly TO fall into their hands. On
these occasions the Assyrian could be
seen with huge coffee sack, bound
around his waist, capable Of holding
nearly a bushel OF yams; and on his re-
turn TO camp the sack was always full.
But the cramping propensities Of the
Doubter were the admiration Of the
whole company. No matter how desert
ed the country, or wild the hogs, he was
always successful. No potato patch
could be hidden from his argus eyes,
while he traced out the chicken roosts
by a sort Of natural instinct. In this
particular instance the Doubter had sue.
ceeded in findinga patch Of mammoth
proportions, the exact locality of which
he kept profound secret from the rest
Of the boys. All their efforts to wrest
the secret from him proved unavaling,
but the Assyrian, with praisworthy per-
severance, was determined 10 make one
more trial, with what success the sequel
will show.
The distance from camp to the line of
pickets was two miles They were
placed on high ridge OF ground, thick
ly timbered The beat Of each sentinel
was at out twenty yards in length, clear.
ed from all underbrush, so that the boys
could see and communicate with each
other readily. The instructions were, 10
allow no citizen to come within the lines,
but as there was nothing said against
such soldiers as were on guard going
out, the boys generally availed them
selves of the privilege, and when of
from duty, were in the habit Of making
frequent reconnoisances. But alas SO
often had the country been laid under
contribution BY various parties from both
armies, that it began to be dry picking
and all of company E, with the exception
Of the Doubter, were forced to content
themselves with such articles as the
commissary, in his benevolence. saw Fl
to supply them. How the Doubter sue
ceeded in bringing such luscious stores
of yams, fruit, etc, to camp. was the
mystery, and on this occasion the As
syrian, with his faithful consort, AL
monte, had determined. with high re
solve. to find some clue to his hidder
treasures. Slowly the morning wor,
away, The guard was mounted, anc
sent TO their various posts, company
being assigned the extreme advance
which was in dense thicket Of stuntet
pine. With the exception Of the whim
steal freak of some daring rebel cavalr
men, who would crawl up and exchang
shot with the pickets, nothing occurre
during the day worthy Of note, and even
: ing at last, calm and still, settled dow
upon the earth. while glorious moo
was peerng over the tree tops. Th
Assyrlan was apparently lost in conten
plation of the beauties of the scene, an
his mind was soaring far away from be
roosts, vans, and earthly things, whe
all at once there was cracking OF brus
behind him. and turning quickly arount
he beheld the corporal OF the guard.
"Well. you are a nice fellow e,
, claimed the latter worthy, :" TO stan
guard in an enemy's country. A who
battalion of guerrillas could ride pa
. you, without being noticed"
, 81 wasn't thinking Of guerrillas
4 have something on my mind Of far dee
. er import"
j. What's that ?"
}, Il will answer your question by as
q ing you one. On what post is d
). Doubter stationed p
IS "No. II, right down in regul
e thicket of underbrush. lie is beginnil
II 10 have doubts about the safety of |
!. position. and is very anxious that anot
At er man be put on with him."
r. Don't humor him. He is alwa
,s boasling Of his bravery besides il mig