The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-06-02

nature of the subject under discussion, >
said the Doubter, sneeringly, Il dom
propose to discuss the things of the past
but only such as are in future. l am
aware that my opinions have hitherto
been held in slight estimation by the
company, but gentlemen (excuse me for
addressing you by that title give you
fair warning that if you 60 out on guard
to. day, with the idea Of coniscating reb-
el property without due process of law,
some of you will suffer for it,"
"I think, said the Assyrian, replac-
ing the cork in his canteen, and drawing
long breath, in which the fumes oi
Halls Plantation bitters could be plain
ly distinguished, "tbat the Doubter
hath in his minds eye a certain deposit
of yams at no great distance from camp.
and that therefore it behoveth us to keep
watch and ward over him, and see that
he leadeth us thereto. We all know
that he has been selling these yams
around our quarters, for the purpose, as
he says, of raising fund Tor the estab-
lishment Of a colony of free blacks, but
my private opinion is that he wishes 10
get enough ahead 10 start Faro bank
His philanthropy is always exerted in
that way, you know, and as he has had
those ysms for his individual benefit
long enough, l am in favor of COMPEL
ing him to show us where they are, to-
day"
"There goes the sick call," says one,
"you can't ge. the Doubter out with us,
\ for you know he always goes on the sick
list whenever there is prospect OF being
ordered on grand guard"
The Assyrian unused for a moment,
and then, beckoning to one of the faith
ful, stepped aside and whispered TO him
few words of mysterious import
Smiles, winks, and grimaces succeeded
The head was thrust TO one side, the
hand went up to the nose involuntarily,
and the thing was settled to their salts
faction.
At the first beat Of the drum sum.
moning the grave-y yard candidates to re.
pair to the hospital, the Doubter was
seized with the most excruciating agony
Violent pains shot through his limbs
and racked him amidships, while his
brow was covered with cold clammy
perspiration, ingeniously supplied fol
the occasion with pocket handkerchief
Slower than the Dead March in Saul
walked forth the Doubter to the Surge
on's tent. His face depicted every fea
ture Of human anguish. His eyes were
cold and lustreless as a December eve
while his voice was a cross between
groan and the wall of lost spirit il
Dante's Inferno.
Well, old fellow, what's the matte
with you ?" says the Surgeon, at tn
same time choking the invalid's throa
fearfully, AS a gentle hint for him I
thrust his tongue out for inspection
You appear to have had quite sud
den attack how long have you been j
? this conditiom?" Ever since he hear
that our company was to so on gran
q guard" suggested the malicious Assyr
/; an, who had come up and was peerin
, with provoking nonchalance over ii
9 Doubter's shoulder In vain the yictil
e tried to assure the Surgeon that he WI
unable to perform duty. The boys ha
e forestalled him, and given the dispense
: Of quinine and Davis powders a slig'
4 inkling as TO the Doubter's method
y playing off. All petitions were unavai
g ing, and he was marched back TO qua
e ters by the orderly, who reported NJ
Doubter as quite well, and abundant
r, willing TO stand as target for the rebe
'r to exercise their skill upon for twent
'e four hours. 10 say the least. AT ii
:" time the command Of the army OF q
,r Mississippi devolved upon Major Ge
20 era w. S. Rosecrans, and the main boz
,r of the troops were stationed at Corin
10 and Jacinto. The indications were that
ct heavy battle would soon be fought,
in the scouts daily reported bodies OF
er enemy's cavalry moving in the directi'
,e of Iuka. The Fifth Iowa were plac
.. on the extreme left Of the second bri
~ ade, Hamilton's division, and con;
as quently occupied very exposed pla'
v and not night passed but what
Of pickets were attacked by squads OF gu
rillas. Standing guard therefore v
ks not the most enviable business in |
at world. as quite number had been 81
he or taken prisoners, and the Doubter's ,
or willingness to serve his country in d
,se capacity can be easily accounted
Il d., Loya,J Tho l;oae tha eouptry n