The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-11-03
HEAD QRs. 9th Iowa, LITTLE Rock !
ARKANSAS. Oct. 9Th, 1863.

we nave Deen since we set out. Our
forces possess the city, and everything is
moving on almost as fthere were no war.
Evidences Of returning lbyalty are every
day exhibited, Merchants, mechanics
and laborers are pursuing their usual
avocations. Deserters are daily and al
most hourly coming in from Prices
army, and report that already that post
is diminished to $500. Dissatisfied
struggling soldiers, citizens who have
long been concealed in the woods during
the reign Of terror here, are now making
their appearance, and Offering themselves
as soldiers for the defence of the govern.
ment of our fathers. Gen. Steele has,
| understand, the authority TO raise three
regiments of troops in this Stale, and
from the couducts and eyineed loyalty
of the inhabitants, | think it quite prob
able that soon the full number will be or
hand and mustered into the United State,
service.
| have previously stated that all Of oul
supplies were brought down the Missis
sippi River 10 the mouth of the White
thence up that river to Devall's Bluffs, g
point on White River nearly direct eas
of this city, and west of Memphis, Tenn
From there our supplies were at first al
brought on wagon trains, but the rail
road is now in good running order tc
that place, and brings large part Of oul
supplies and all of our mail The two
engines which were here on our arrival
have been repaired, platform cars have
been constructed from those that were
burned on our approach, and severa
engines and a number of cars have been
brought up the White River to place on
this track | understand it is in con
temptation TO open the r. r. TO Memphis
This would take time, as the track is no.
laid beyond the Bluff until you have
passed long part Of the way to Mem
phis. 1t would take time and work tic
open the road that distance, but the benz.
fit secured thereby is incalculable. We
should then have direct and daily com.
munication with Memphis. All of our
supplies would come that way, instead Of
coming by the mouth of the White Rv-
er, and instead Of being ten days on the
road, would reach us the same day Il al
they leave the great river, the channel
for supplies. True there would be an,
other r. R. to guard, which might be
destroyed at various bridges by the
guerillas, but the danger is far less
| think, than it is ON the river, and the
guerrllas are but few in number here
and completely dissatisfied 18th the rebe
cause. When the Arkansas river shall
rise SO that boats Of the largest size car
run up to this place, the r. r. will moi
be SO great necessity, but even then
will be great convenience.
We are doing but little duty at present
Furnish but one Lieut., 2 Sergeants, 6
Corporals, and "a privates each day fol
picket duty. A large quantity of corn
is being foraged under the guidance o
our Brigade Quartermaster, and this re.
quires about Is men day from oul
regiment, except Sundays and when the
weather will not permit. All hands are
engaged in constructing Barracks, in
which to spend the coming winter
Trees have been felled in the woods and
hauled into camp, and neat log buildings
built. In few days more our whole
Brigade will be III snug and comfor table
winter quarters.
Two newspapers, the National Union
and the National Democrat, have been
started since the Federals occupied the
place. Both are we'll and ably edited
and are thorough for the Union. The
Union is published by J. w. DENNY o.
Kansas, and the Democrat by C. V
Meador, formerly of the True Democrat
of this place. When the war broke out,
Mr, Meador would not join in the con
spiracy, and hence was obliged to leave
but in time we find him again at his
post, triumphing over his enemies Such
will ever be the fate Of the true Demo.
Gratis, but those who throw their inhu.
ence in the balance with traitors, and
link their destinies with the legions OF
darkness by their own damnable deeds,
must expect the censure, the reproach,
and the condemnation OF every patriot in
the land. Noble manhood, battling for
immortal principles, will rise too high in
the serenity Of liberty's cline to ever
look with tenderness upon the destroy
ers Of our national government.
c. H. l..