The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-02-24
Correspondence of the Guardian.

FRIEND RIcn My last was written
at rather an unfavorable time, and under
not the most favorable circumstances
But the scene is naturally changed now.
The dark clouds have passed away. The
radiant beams Of dazzling sun fall gent
ly over the camp. driving far away the
gloom and sadness of a lonely hour, ana
inspiring and invigorating the soldier.
Our rain of two weeks is followed by a
cool, pure, bracing atmosphere. Cool
enough 10 remind us of Iowa winters.
with glstening irosts and piercing blasts.
but moderating under the influence of a
Southern sun, until we think of the gen.
lie breezes of mild April day.
There has been no movement of I'M
porlance since wrote you last. Each
day we forage or do picket duty, as duty
requires, or Generals decide. Five com.
panies Of the regiment We're yesterday
detailed TO go to Henderson Station a
poin. on the Railroad, distant about l2
or Is miles Corinlhwards, to act rs gual d
for forage train. They took two days
ralions, and were under command oil
Major Howard.
The health Of The reg't is improving
nj, 4
on the sick list, and some few at the hos
pitals in the city. Our hospital is quite
comfortable, yet most of the sick remain
in quarters and report TO the surgeons
for treatment daily. In the city there
arc several hospitals. where the sick are
as kindly cared for as they can be away
from home and special friends. The large
building formerly occupied as Female
Seminary. is now converted into a hospi-
tai. But few months ago the fair
Southern aristocratic bellies, daily con
vened within its neatly built walls, there
TO receive mental and moral instruction
impaired by learned anthropologists
Then those fair ones walked among the
lovely evergreen trees that adorn the
beautiful yard surrounding that stately
structure. Now its recitation rooms are
filled by hundreds Of failing patriots lis
long halls no more ring with happy, ex-
ultant, student voices, but are filled with
the sighs OF innocence and the groans
of sanclily. The graceful evergreen
reaches down its low hung boughs over
hospital tents. and catches up The gasp.
breath of loved patient friends.
see it stated that your correspondent
is on the sick list, unfit for duty, dc
The fact is, am one of the heartiest
soldiers in the regiment, and in the Ian.
guage of Adj't Comstock am tough
cuss Have been unfit for duty no day
since | left Camp Franklin. This is q
personal matter, am aware, but | can
outrun any man that classes me among
the sick. unless the rebels are in close
proximity.
A Court Martial is being held in
Jackson. Lieut.. Col. Lake is in attend
ance. Of the business appertaininS tc
it, | have not tried 10 learn II is, how.
ever, evidently quite extended, and may
result in good to army hereabouts. We
have lived long enough in this, the land
Of battles, TO understand something o.
the policy pursued by some Of our lead
ers. l have never yet. with one excep
| tion. indulged in complain, against any
one in any way connected with our army
in any of my communications. But ar
order which came TO day. tries my pa
tience, and | must be allowed the privi
lege OF permitting my thoughts to run
away with my pen, aud tel The simpl,