The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-01-20
From the 21sh.
ace Of the Guardian.

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FRIEND RIcH We left Tallahatchi,
River Dec. 30th, and came by R. r. t,
Jackson, except Company g., which ac
companied the transportation train, anc
arrived a day or two after the regiment
1t was late in the evening when we ar
rived. We lay on the ground by the
cars unit! morning, then reported to Col
Lander, commanding the poast here
He ordered us into camp just by the
town. Our tents were pitched, and we
were just indulging in the illusion that
we should be permitted to remain for a
time, but about 8 o'clock New Years
Eve, the order came for us to march i'm
mcdiately, with ratious in haversacks,
with one blanket, no knapsacks aud no
tents. In half an hour after the order
came we were marching through town,
cheered and enlivened by the fife and
drum. We expected to march only
four or five miles to reinforce our troops
who had been cannonading in that di
rection all day. We marched on until
we had gone fifteen miles, and no enemy
yet, we halted for the night. We were
not allowed to build fires, and having
but one blanket and no tents, you may
Judge of our comfort Next morning
We arose early, and rapidly urged on our
way in the direction OF Lexington. just
before reaching that point, we met the
troops who had fought a battle at Red
Mound. They were jubilant over their
prisoners and plunder They had some
400 prisoners, among which were Col,
Lieut. Col, and several officers OF inferi-
OF rank One brigade had fought For :
rests rebel cavalry, until the rebel arm
seemed inyincible. The heroes Of the
39th Iowa and 122d Ill were almost sur
rounded, and were just about to surren-
der, when the Ohio brigade came to
their rescue. They had marched double
quick for five miles, and when they came
over the hill and rushed forward with a
wild ringing yell, the rebel force gave
way, or surrendered. The victory
which but a moment before seemed
petching upon their banners, now hoy
cred over, settled down upon, and com
pletely enshrouded, ours.
Our expedition was too late Had We
been at Lexington one day sooner, We
we should have intercepted Forrest and
compelled him TO surrender. The bat
tie ground was some fourteen miles from
Lexington, and we did not see it. We
camped at night a half mile from the
town, and the next morning the plan
was to push on as rapidly as possible TO
the Tennessee River. and if possible
capture part at least of their baggage.
But they were on horses, and we were
on foot We hurried along until within
miles OF the river, and then camped.
1t rained hard that night. Some of us
stood around the fires, others lay on
rails or fodder as best they could to
secure their own comfort. Our pickets
were stationed. About II O'Clock
gun was fired, quickly another, followed
by rs or 90 more. The camp was arous.
ed, and ready 10 meet the foe. Soon the
news came that two companies of the
6ed H., on picket duty, had fired at each
other in their haste, and that two were
killed and or 8 wounded. The killed
we're buried next morning, and the
wounded was kindly cared for.
There were in our army two brigades,
Isl commanded by Col Lander, 2l by
Col True. We are in the 2l. 1t is
composed Of the 62d ILL., 18th Ill. and
eth Iowa. The first brigade hurried
on to the river, leaving orders that we
should march in case of any firing.
About 10 o'clock in The morning can.
nonadng was heard down about the
river at Clifton Our brigade moved
Immediately, but ere we reached the
river the rebels had safely ensconsced
themselves on the other side They
threw a few shells at US, one from a
seige gun 3 miles away. struck our
ammunition wagon, smashing a wheel,
and cutting the axletree in two Our
brigade did not go quite 10 the river,
for we learned that the rebels had gone
beyond our reach We all returned at
quick speed, feeling that our expedition
had been rather fruuless one, and
having settled the astounding fact that
infantry could not oyertake cavalry,
when cavalry he'd 2l hours The start,
We came by way OF Bethel. from thence
By X. r.. The teams that were out
with US are coming in, q train attended
by Company OF cavalry We may