The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-01-20


hatless, coatless, almost shrtless, ant
without even a blanket, while they at
tested their affection for me by firing
heavily on my rear.
Space forbids my adding more, anc
withou, further parley will proceed
with my story. We were placed in ;
very critical position. All around W.
could hear the shots and shouts of the
enemy, who were ranging the woods il
every direction. Riderless horses with
out number dashed past us, one of which
l stopped, and found splendid pair o.
revolvers in the holsters, which | appro.
priated forthwith. AT this moment a
negro came rushing out Of the timber al
full speed, and thinking the nature ol
my condition would justify the means
employed, soon brought him to halt,
and made him fork over large white
blanket, with which | made myself quite
com .ortable.
A council Of war was now held to de-
eide whether we had better try to make
our way out or re urn to town and sur
render. We numbered seven in all, two
of us beng armed. The majority, l re-
gret to say, regarded our case as hope
less, and were in favor of going back.
They represented that we were in an un-
known country, that all avenues of es-
cape had been cut off, and that we would
certainly be picked up by party of
guerillas before we could get through to
Memphis. These arguments were held
forth with great force by fat, lager
drinking Dutchman, who not being an
enlisted soldier, had nothing to fear. My
patience gave out entirely, and jumping
into the saddle | told them that they
might deliver themselves up when they
pleased, and reeled off few words which
stung them to the quick, for closing
round they vowed to follow me to the
gates of Beelzebub himself. Come on
then," and away we went, through old
cotton fields, jumping fences, leaping
bitches, and securing away through
wood and plain, at speed that soon left
the theatre of our disasters Ear behind.
\ ride Of four or five miles brought lis
to the mansion of a planter, and here we
determined to disguise our real charac-
ter, an | pass off as Con(ederates. Quite
a group Of men and women were on the
porch as we lode up, and their counten-
ances expressed ever ything but love to-
wards US. stopped at the gate, and
beckoned TO the proprietor, who waddled
slowly up, wondering what in the world
we wanted. Evidently he was afraid Of
losing his mules, for | could see the ne
groes driving them off into the thicket.
Don't be afraid, my good man." said
|, encouragingly. 1--WE are friends,
fighting for Southern rights, and your
property shall be protected. We have
just given the Yankees tremendous
at Holly Springs, are we are
in search ola squad Of the cowardly ours
ukO want of tb;s uavy
Why" said the delighted old trait
or, Z" thought ye was Yankees, your
selves. Jist get off from your horses,
gentlemen, and walk into the house. Ny
gals will soon have breakfast. You can
fight better with full stomachs, and any
thing that | have got is welcome.
The ladies now came out and second
ed the invitation. So off we jumped,
and went in, leaving one man as guard,
at the gate. Our host led the way -
the best room. whore bright fire was
burning. and told US to make ourselves
comfortable. His two daughters, very
comely looking damsels, remained in
the apartment, aud we soon started n
lively conversation. We abused
the poor Yankees, and praised the
generosity Of the Southern people, and
marvellous beauty OF their ladies', to the
best OF our ability, complimented parlio-
ularly their house and grounds, remark
ing that none but PERSONS of taste and
refinement could dwell in such a fairy
spot, and finally, noticing piano in the
room, asked one of them TO favor us with
a song. Oh. of course, they would play
what would the gentlemen prefer? One
of the party, forgetting him sell, exc,aim
ed, Let US have Yankee Doodle, or the
Star Spangle Banner" The lady look
ed surprised, and said that she never
played those old vulgar pieces, that they
We're only suited 10 the low bred people
of the North, etc, etc. | hastened 10
rectify the mistake.
My letter being already too long. |
will conclude the account in my next.
c. J. r.