The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-01-13
JED LAKE.
Jorres pondence Of the Guardian.

HEAD tlCARTERS 18th REG #,
CAMP NEAR WATERFORD MISS. {
FRIEND Rich We left camp on
Hurricane Creek, Dec. 18th, 10 report to
Col. Dubois at Holly Springs. March
ed about miles that day and at night
camped by spring, as beautiful as we
had seen for days. 1t was raining when
we halted, and the rumor which seemed
entitled TO some credence that band of
800 guerillas was in close proximity
TO us, made our camp none the more
safe or pleasant. Orders were given for
the men TO lay on their arms. The Col.
left his horse saddled, buckled his sword
around him, took his revolvers, and lay
down to sleep. About 10 o'clock, a
shot from a picket guard in the distance
was heard. The long roll was beat, the
Col. mounted his horse in hot haste, and
soon, very soon, the regiment was in line
of battle. While all stood in eager ex-
pectatlon, messenger came bearing the
| tidings, that the shot was an accidental
one. We had no fight, but we had an
exhibition of the bravery of the eth.
Men who had been sick FOR days, grasp
ed their guns, and ran out TO meet the
foe.
Next day we marched over to and
camped at Waterford. Jessie ROTOR, o.
Co. G, had been failing for days. and he
was SO far gone that morning, that he
had to be carried. w. Ii. Lueder, OF
the same company, was very low, but
rode in the ambulance. They both, con-
trary 10 the expectation of all the Sur
geons, lived through the day. and are
now some better, with prospect for re-
covery. As we neared Waterford, we
began to see, on a more extended scale,
the preparations for marching this great
army. Just as we entered town, we met
one hundred and fifteen mule teams,
loaded with provisions for Grants and
Sherman's army. and these were but a
small fragment of the immense train
constantly moving. Waterford is a
small and dilapidated town on the Miss
Il. Il. 1t is eight miles from Holly
Springs due south. The land about
town is sterile, and washes more than
any other | ever saw. 1t is clay and
sand mixture, and at each shower the
rain washes out deep gullies, which
make the country almost impossible,
save when the roads are constantly work.
ed. We remained but day, then
marched, agreeable 10 order of Colonel
Dubois, for the Tallahatchie. 1t rained
very hard while we were on the march
that day, and all were thoroughly soaked,
but there was little murmuring, and
when the tents were pitched, and large
warm fires We're built, and we again had
become dried AMI warmed, we were
ready for still more Of the soldiers un-
welcome joys.
On the 10th and 18th, our regiment
was divided and subdivided into com
panies, and stationed along the r. r.
from the Tallahatche, as far north as to
within two miles of Waterford. Major
Howard, the Sergeant Major, and Chap
lain and the Quartermaster, make quar-
ters near the river, at the old camp.
The Surgeons have taken possession oil
DR.. Jones' place for hospital purposes.
The house is quite large, and when we'll
cleaned, will be an excellent building
for the purpose. This Dr.. Jones is said
to be the richest man in the country.
He owns five sections of land and two
hundred and twenty negroes. The great
part OF the negroes he put in the rear OF
the rebel army. thinking doubtless that
lhey would there be beyond the reach OF
the Yankees, but unfortunately perhaps
for him, and fortunately for themselves,
some have already found our lines.
Headquarters Of the regiment are
established for the present, about three
miles from Waterford, in very comfort
able house little distance from the II.
II. An old lady, her three daughters
and number Of blacks, are the only
persons about the plantation The men
have gone-lhe fates only know where,