The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-11-14
COL. BussKY's COMMAND.

mics were still left under Col. Bu6Sey. "A
few days after arriving at that point from
Benton barracks, the Colonel received Or
ders to join Gen. Curtis, then at Spring
field, forthwith. by forced marches, as it
was expected battle With Price WAS i'm
minent. Accordingly, on the 18th Of
April, 1852, leaving all transportation
behind to follow as rapidly as possible,
without tents and scanty rations, compa-
MES A, B, G, d, L and N started out,
ela,e with the prospect of soon trying
their strength with the enemy in pitched
battle; in which, by the by, they we're not
diappointed. A hard ride of all day and
night, in the severe cold that then pre-
vasied, brought them to the far side OF
the Gasconade at 6 A.. AT IL they
reached Lebanon through severe snow
storm, where, without shelter, and with
only such cooking utensils as they were
enabled to pick up in the deserted camps,
they passed the day and ensuing night
The cold was housekeeping froze
solid, and the suffering of that night is
still wildly borne in mind by all who
shared the hardships of that march, and
talked of as an event in their lives never
to be forgotten; later scenes of suffering
and exposure all pale in the remembrance
Of that awful night.
Another day and night brought them
to Prices camp; but he had left, and
Curtis was after him. Leaving company
L at Springfield in charge of the post. the
other five companies pushed on through
rain sieet and snow, till they came up
with Curtis at Sugar Creek. This march
from Rolla to Pea Ridge has ever been
considered by the regiment as the Sc
verest service IL has evei-undareone. and
although without shelter and on shors ra
tons, with nothing but their blankets to
cover them at night, at that inclemen,
season of the year. the boys stood up tc
it like veterans, albeit it was their frs
march.
The time intervening between their ar.
rival at Sugar Creek and the battle oil
Pea Ridge was employed in continual
scouting and reconnoissances, and endeav-
oring to ascertain the movements of the
enemy. On the slst they we're sent to
Usage Springs, and returned without cas-.
ualty. On the 23d they went to Fayette-
vile under Asboth, found Mcintosh and
McCulloch on the other side, and drove
them, killing one and wounding one,
planting the Union flag on the Court
House, and returned via. Elm Springs to
camp.
On The eth another expedition to Fay.
ettevllle under Col. Bussey, aud return
without noticeable incident. On March
I'D l50 OF the Sd Iowa, nnder Lieut.. Col
Irlmble, reoonnoitered to the southwest
for considerable distance-to the Indian
Aation-and returned Other scouts
were made. but it is needless to particu-
larize.
Many instances Of individual galantry
and daring on the part of members of our
regiment could be cited; but desire not
to make this article too long induces me
to pass them by and refer only to the ser
wees OF the regiment at large but | will
be pardoned for citing one instance oc.
curing at this time, on account of the
bearing 1t may have when, in after wears.
the history of this rebellion will be writ
ten, an instance where the scale of war
turned upon the act of an humble indi-
vldusl-a private. Few there are who
would dream that the total annibilatiou
Oh the Army of the Southwest" was
prevented by, and that Mai. Gen. Curtis
owes his commission to, the information
derived from a private of the ed Iowa
cavalry. Yet such is the fact.
Gen. Curtis army was encamped as
follows; Cars division, with Curtis
headquarters, at Cross Hollows; Sigel at
bentonville. fourteen miles south Davis
division at Sugar Creek, twelve miles
north, and Vandever's brigade at Hunts
VILE, forty miles east. The rebel army
under Van Dorm, was encamped on Bos.
ton Mountain, nineteen piles southwest
OF Fayetteville and tbirty-two miles
southwest from Gen. Curtis advanca Al.
vision Notwithstanding the reoimcnt
had been kept constantly in the saddle
ana scouting no reliable information of
tanned. N o0en W.
~ on the 9Th of March Col. Bussey sent
" VILLAIN MILLER as spy to Price a ar.
my he was dressed in "butternut'
niomespun clothes, and with eleven dollars
III Confederate money, started on bis per-
nous mission. The regiment at this time
was at Sugar Creek. He had proceeded
sixteen miies-four miles from Gen. Cur.
us NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. he came nnon :
parry OF rebel cavalry. Miller informed
s snein ne was "just from Lexington. Mis-.
1 p ana was on his way to join General
Iflce, that he was tired and foot-sore
rom long walking, and wanted horse on
"hich TO proceed" The rebels vere
completely taken in by him, and believ.
ing him one of their friends. Informed
INN that cyan Dorm, Price and McCul.
Loeb, with forty thousand men. rere then
advancing to attack Gen. Curtis and tb.,
they would encamp at Burnt Mills thai
night which point was eleven miles
from Gen. Curtis at Cross Hollows-aand
that the intention of the enemy was to
make night march and attack Curtis at
daylight the next morning"
Miller seemed much elated. and has.
tened on until out of sight of the reh,ls
when he turned the woods and hnrr;od -