The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-09-22
Correspondence of the Guardian.


CLARENDON, ARK, August 30th, 1863.
FRIEND RICn Since some time in
May last, believe have not troubled
you with any of my correspondence.
The reason for that is, there has moth
ing transpiled of general interest about
which to write, until of late. On the
18th inst, we received orders to be
ready 10 leave Moscow, Tenn, at short
notice. On the 10Th, we received
orders to be ready to start on the Goth,
at 8 o'clock A. NJ. At the last mention
ed time, our regiment was ready, and
left Moscow for Memphis. There they
arrived on the gel. On the 23l wo
we're paid for four months. Rather
should say, the paymaster commenced
paying us. On the cath at daylight we
went on board the John H. Groesbeck.
and started for Helena, Arkansas. On
the 24lh, while on the boat, the pay.
master finished paying The regiment.
On the 25th, we lay in camp at Helena,
( rs also Oh tuc -Obtl -itb. w uSH
consider that the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and
the 9th Infantry, lay there so lorg, l
conclude your readers must have been
fully informed of the place, and its
vicinity. On the 28lh at O'Clock NJ
we left Helena, and marched westward
/ 8 miles to Big Creek. The country is
very level, with several large plantations
lying along the road, but scarcely one
Of these showed any signs Of cultivation.
The cleared feds were surrounded with
good fences, but the only crops growing
were lIxuriant weeds. The land must
be exceedingly fertile, and no doubt be-
fore this war. produced corn and cotton
| in abundance. But now the slaves have
/ all sought their freedom, and the master
does not know how to work, or is in the
rebel army. The Goth we marched 22
miles, over country similar TO the one
the day previously, but tie plantations
were cultivated 70 some extent. At
night we eDcamped on the Big Cypress
Creek, which proved to be an immense
swamp. filled with stagnant water. On
the 30lh, we marched Is miles, arriving
u
town is situated on the White River. 50
miles west of Helena, and about 100
miles from the mouth OF the White Riv.
er. II is 5 miles from Duval's Bluffs
bv land, and 40 by river. Gen. Steel.
! with his forces, are at Duvals Bluffs, and
have probably ere this had an engage
ment with the rebels.
th thrnnni
the 27th are the 50th Indiana, 49Ih and
62i Illinois infantry, and Naughn's
battery, all under command of Col.
James NJ. True of the ed Illinois. We
are to join Steel, and then pursue the
The enemy wherever he may 10, until
the country west Of the Mississippi is
clear Of armed rebels. So far as can
Judge OF this country, il is very flat and
fertile The streams are deep, with a
sandy loam and clay banks. The
swamps are imLsssable in wet weather,
and can only be crossed in dry weather
by making corduroy roads through
them. Tho streams rise 10 a great
height in tho rainy seasons, rs shown
, by the water marks on the trees that lino
lheiT uaHhS- Inc tlnuSi 10 very NhiI
and very thick. being so abundant rs 10
be great disadvantage in settleing this
country The inhabitants are such as
YOU find only in slave States, IL would
5 take volume 10 describe them. vet to
! one who has spent nearly = year among
/ them, the three words ignorant, indolent.
r and slovenly, conveys the whole mean
: ing.
/, Should anything transpire worth re
e lating, | shall endeayor to keep YOU post
ed There is now gunboat aud trans
/. port at the landing just down from Gen.
A Steel's headquarters. What news they
d bring. or what orders. viii no doubt be
Il made known in orders 10 us from Col
!. Tue JAP LAKE.