The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-02-10
Correspondence of the Guardian.

FRIEND RICH On the 9th of Janu
airy. 1868. after bidding fond adieu to
the glorious old Fifth, whose valorous
deeds are held in fond remembrance bv
the people of the Hawkeye State, your
correspondent went on board The new
staunch steamer, G. E. Hllman, and
was soon steamlng away from the devot.
ed realm of the south, yclept Dirie' s
Land. The boat was crowded. Not a
berth but what was occupied, not an inch
in the cabin, deck, or steerage, but what
had been spoken for. Many Of the
passengers were from the North, having
come down TO visit some of their sick
relatives, and were now returning with
them in charge, while quite a goodly
number Of discharged soldiers were on
board. After the boat was fairly under
way, the assemblage Of human beings on
board resolved themselves into a little
world Of their own, with different grades
Of persons, who betook themselves to the
task Of killing time, in the manner best
suited to their temperaments. Soon the
cabin was dotted here and there with
card parties, who were willing to stake
the whiskey or cigars on the result Of The
game, merely TO keep up interest and
afford variety. Ofcourse the compound.
er of whiskey straights, brandy cocktails
and champagne fling, was highly de
lighted at this, and his sable attendants
were soon flying hither and thilher in
eager haste to supply the demasd An
other group gather around the piano,
and soon the vast cabin was filled with a
flood Of music, while the soft and wav-
ing lights, the walters flying here and
there, the sound Of voices in high and
eager conversation, the tremulous Jar oil
the boat. all conspire TO produce scene
pleasing in the extreme. | was dissp,
pointed in getting sight OF Fort Pillow
We passed that noted spot in the night
But the scenery on the river is the same
as that between Cairo and New Madrid
with the same low weedy banks, lh,
same everlasting cotlonwoods. standing
like grim sentinels against The sky. A
few adventurous spirits had perchec
their hords on the river bank, and exc,
out precarious living by selling woo,
at the rate of 81 .25 per cord. AT one o
these places we stopped, and after ex
changing salutations with the ragge,
proprietor, were introduced TO rather of
seedy looking nephew of lhe old Roman
Thomas Benton. He was standing on th,
bank, carpet-sack in hand, and was very
anxious TO engage passage TO Cairo, as th
rebels tbereabouls had threatened hin
with d.reful vengeance for advocating
certain Union sentiments. Said tn
scion of noble race, striking up trag
ic attitude that would have move,
Damoeyites 10 tears The inferna
corn crackers have burned my cotton
stole my horses, and pressed them int
the service, they have entered my hous
and cabbaged the last bed quilt, not
rooster crows defiance around my one
populous barn yard, while my gruntini
porcine plants are no more. Therefore
Captain, in view of all these calamilies,
beseech you to take pity on my condi
ton. and grant me place on board. I
flee from this land of pirates and rob
bers. My wife and children they wi
not molest, but alas | am doomed if
stay here" Let him come. Captain. Il
him come !" exclaimed dozen passen
gers in chorus, and the n xt moment th
noble representative Of the Ben,o
House was hoisted on board, and th
last saw of him was at the bar, wher
be was rapidly being initiated into tn
mysteries Of tohisksy straight.
Seated in the center Of the cabin. smo