The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-03-17

trains, fact compels me. though with
great regret, to say that those vast herds
Of fat cattle and hogs" exist only in
this nameless writer's lively Imagination,
as far as this vicinity is concerned. The
truth is, this section of country is already
closely foraged. What country is not.
after being occupied for nearly two years
BY two different armies ? Besides, he
must have known that every day Cat the
time Of his wri,ing) forage train with
rs men, our Regiment furnishing its
share, were securing the country for
supplies. This was sent out from Post
Headquarters, and was for the benefit Of
all the troops, and not our sole Brigade
1t is true, we have had some meat not fl
to eat, which Col. Gilbert very properly
ordered to be sold. But it was reserved
for our as'u'e writer 10 drag his Brigade
Commander before the public, and pre-
sent him as worthless officer. because
contractors happened TO be sharp enough
10 put bad meat upon regimenial quar-
termaster or commissarv, through negli
gence. inaftention, or fraud Our meat
is not the best, yet I draw every week
from the same qnartermaster, stores for
our mess, and shall be thankful If we
never have worse. ANY one who knows
me, will readily concede that no living
man can well 90 beyond me in readi
ness to injure the rebels, TO the farhes,
possible extent, in any way authorized bv
military usage. | would take their hor-
ses. =" cattle and hogs" " fat" or lean.
rails" or "niggers,' anything that will
be OF use TO US for our comfort, advan-
Iage, or protection, or to weaken the
reasonable foe But let it be properly
T. ken and distributed.
But to cap the climax, this nameless
writer presents our commanding officer
to your readers Tour old friends are in.
teresied to some extent in everything
that interests us as person having no
higher regard for his duty, manhood and
honor, than one capable Of granting tri :.
fling protection 10 secesh," on account
Of bride received from a traitor J.
Probably no man, except the aforesaid
writer, would sooner leyel a man who
dared to approach him IN that way. than
this said Col. Durham. 1t will hardly
do for the writer of that article, who has
yet 10 be tried by wars stern fate. and Of
necessity has but litlle military expert.
ence, to bring such implications and
charges against one who, during eight
cen months of hard service, in caring for
his own and other regiments in camp.
and before the hottest fire Of the enemy.
has earned, aud maintained among all
who know him, a reputation and charac-
ter as commanding officer and as
man, which we all may well strive to
maintain. 1t is not strange that, con.
scIous OF gross misstatcment, the afore.
said writer forgot to sign his name, vel
surely II must have been written in
heated moment, and second sober tho'l
would have changed its tenor. | have
no especial regard for Col Durham,
know him only slightly. and he is an old
Democrat, and You know | never liked
them pretty we'll But thank God he is
a fighting Democrat Heaven forgive,
# possible, the Cope head. Posterily
and History never will
The article will fall harmless here, and
while | desire not 10 rasp the feelings Of
any living person, yet | am unwilling
that our friends should be led to believe
that we are commanded by miserable,
trucking, base tool, when
we have, in fact, an acting General
whom we are all proud 10 follow. and
who is everywhere recognized as an ex
celent officer, "a man and patriot.
Ever yours,