The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-06-09
HEADQUARTERS 21TH Iowa REG'T.,f
JACKSON Tenn, Nav 18th, 1863.

HEADQUARTERS 9TH Iowa Rect. 2
JACKSON Tenn, May 18th, 1863
FRIEND RIcH :-Adjutant Genera
Thomas, on his way TO Corinth, two Oh
three days ago, stopped few moments
at this place, and was warm y received
by the troops of this command They
were arranged in close column near the
Mobile and Ohio r. r. Depot. -Four
cotton bales were rolled out a. stand
and the old General, escorted by Mai
General r. J. Oglesby, made his appear
ance. He is not progressing, assum,
ing or dignified. His manner is easy,
not graceful. He is no speaker, but a
close, accurate thinker, an unassuming
plain, forcible talker. The words which
he uttered were forcible, they were
sublime. Every soldier must have re-
joiced at the glad news he brought. He
spoke as he was directed by the Pres-
dent, and how thrilling were the princi
Piles advocated. He had come in two
fold capacity, as an Inspector Of the
army, and to announce the policy of the
President and his Cabinet, with refer.
ance TO that unfortunate class Of beings
known as slaves. They were to be re.
ceived kindly. to be fed, clothed and
armed for the purpose Of outing down
this rebellion, and that they were 10 be
free. A separate and distinct uniform
would be provided for them. Black
troops will be raised in this Division
a Pioneer regiment. 10 consist Of one
hundred and fifty whites and three
hundred blacks, is rapidly being filled.
Five men Of our regiment, three Of Co.
D, one OF Co. A, and one Of Co. Z, have
been detailed permanently as Pioneers.
They like it well. That regiment is en-
camped now just to the west of town.
A regiment TO consist wholly of blacks
will be formed here. The field officers,
the commissioned and non commission
ed staff. the liue officers, and the 1st
Sergeants of each company, will be
whites. The Sergeants and Corporals
will be promoted from the blacks them
selves. A number of our regiment
have made applications for positions.
Baker and Glass Of Co. c, have entered
heart and soul into the work. Baker
vii receive the commission Of Captain.
Glass that OF lst Lieut.. The pay and
rank is the same as among the whites,
but the commissions issue from Adult
ant General Thomas. and not from Adj
Gen of State. Thus do we find the
Chief Of the Nation rallying his forces
around the Fremont standard.
Major General Oglesby and Brigadier
General Kim ball, each made stirring
little speach on the occasion. Gen.
Oglesby is fluent speaker, an animated
man. and one who | should think would
readily render himself popular among
the masses. His heart is in the work.
lie remarked that negro was too good
10 waste his time in killing rebels.
From his talk | take him to be an Eman
cipalionist of the right stripe.
Gen. Kimball said that il was impos
sible for US ever 10 pass away down be
low the level of the negro, to ths leve
of the traitor, His speech was an ami
mated one. After Gen. Thomas had
remarked that nowhere had his policy
met warmer reception than right here
the troops We're marched away to their
respective camps. each soldier filled viii
JOY at the triumph of the long called fol
policy.
DR.. II. II. Hunt, Hospital Steward
to night received his commission a:
Assstan, Surgeon in the slst Iowa
lie will leave in a day or two. Doct
has been kind aud useful to US, and ha
| drawn around him a host of warn
friends, who dislike TO see him GO. bu
il is for his good. and all wish him well
Col. GiIberls and Chaplain Bard
wells ladies arrived on this evening
train. The Col, and Chaplain are we
situated, having each large and we
arranged tent. aud their ladies' will en-
ljoy Southern life here in one ofthe love
lest groves in Tennessee,
G. II, L