The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-10-20

Had Yankees had possession of the KEYS
of this structure, and kept it full o!
southern aristocrats. there might have
been better times for the honest ones OF
his country. Altogether the peniten
tiary OF Arkansas is such a one as would
perhaps ordinarily hold all who ought
to abide therein, but is by far 100 small
10 hold those who deserve to be within
| lis walls now. Fhe u. S Arsenal here
is the pride Of the town, and fortunately
for us the rebels were SO holly pursued
On the loth Of September, that they could
not, as they intended, destroy the whole
works. There are half a dozen build
ings. each OF which are neatly built and
tasle fully arranged None of them are
large, but in size sufficient 10 give room
for ali that would usually be employed
there. saw a number af cannon, mark
ed U. S., captured by our forces at the
taking Of the arsenal. A large number
Of gunstocks were blocked out and be
ing prepared for use against the north
Arn invader. The grounds within the
enclosure are beautiful, and rather at
lracive There is An excellent well o.
warer in the center, and the trees on ei.
ther side are tasteful and neat. With
pleasure would have entered these
buildings and been able to have given a
more thorough history Of the works. but
large letters. making up those TWO signif-
icant words, No Admiltance." met my
eve ateverv turn. saw but one large
cannon, and that not in serviceable con
liion. Report says that the rebel army
are fast deserving and coming within our
lines. This is true to some extent, a.
least, for the number Of prisoners or rel
ugaes increases daily. Oar forces push
ed on towards Archidelphia soon after
occupying this city. but a"e all here al
present, save few on duty aS scouts
and guards for trains. A small party
have lust arrived from Fort Smith, and
report that fortress in our possession
The railroad has been repaired, the cars
put in order, and soon, some think to
morrow, the train will run TO the Bluff
on White River.
Our furoughed boys have returned
The boxes sent by them TO the friends in
companies H and G.. were received. The
boys seemed highly pleased TO receive
these presents from home. As they
stood around The box and each took what
was his. there turned up a very nice pair
0i boots for Isaac Gill. Poor fellow. e
had died ew davs before at Browns
vile, \ Arkansas He was one OF the most
Wiling bows in The regiment. Though
his parents and frien1s vii feel panied to
earn of his deah. vet they should be
heered 10 know hat Isaac was faithful
and true to the last, anu died gloriously
battling for humanity.
We are encamped quite pleasantly on
he east side Of the Arkansas River. close
~ its edge on nm elevation of twenty
'eet or more The nights are getting
~aher cool for those who have limited
u ply of clorhing aud no tents. All Of
,ur tents, save those OF the field, staff,
md line officers, were turned over at
Moscow. Tenn. since which time the
hovs have suffered somewhat for the want
Of them We know nothing about where
We shall 60 or what We shall do. The
rebels seem to have gone 50 far away
thar it seems lille 70 parsue farther The
regiment is enjovinr good haa tn. Com
nanv Is commanded by lst Lit. II. l.
Sill, and has As effeclive men. Compa
nv II !. commanded by Capt Whitney,
and has 80 pfTacrive men. The number
of men present with the regiment is sol,
comm ssionei officers 25. Capt. Whit.
NAy is mustered rs Captain. w G.
Donnan is relieved from the command
Of Company X. and mustered as 1st It.
of Company Fl. and is now acting Alju
taut Of the regim mt, Adj Harrington
being in the recruiting SERVICE, raising
cnlora3 COMPANY. a, NJ Wilcox is
mustered 2l L. OF Company II. and i.
with the company.
c. II l.