The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-01-12
CAMP OF THE l2TH Iowa INFANrRY,l
CHAwoIIo. TENN. DEE 90 '62(

NhTN" oLbos a bkNNrs DcC. 90, 10Y
FRIEND REED My health continues
good. That of the men Of the regiment
on an average, is as good as it has bee
since in the service, the cause probably
is attributable to the huge Notifications
now in progress here ;;s0hen done they
will contain four redans for guns, of the
largest caliber, rendering the defences
effective against artillery as well as in :
fantry. There is nothing Of special i'm.
portance to chronicle, save the rapiditv
with which the men are re. enlisting as
veterans, and the result Of a scoutine
party, out all last night. The existing
of veterans goes bravely on, already
three -ourths Of the mastering number
of the regiment have enlisted in accord
| ance with late orders from the War De-
partment, (the requisite number 10 or.
der that the regiment be sent to its State
for re organization,) hence, l suppose
you can look for the old 18th in the State
soon. AT first was much opposed to
this means of supporting the army, in
stead ofputting the draft through at all
hazards, and in spite OF the Cops, who so
much fear they will be forced to do a
trifle in defence of their cheerful fire
sides and suffering country. but the
draft is pretty certain, if am posted,
and to discharge the thoroughly tested,
and disciplined men, who responded
promptly to the first two calls for 30O,-
600 each. thoughtless of financial inter-
est, to me woald imply disaster in the
extreme to our cause, and perhaps the
re-occupation by the rebels OF thousands
of square miles of the richest soil in the
South. The enlistment Of veterans will
in remarkable degree dishearten the
rebels seeing the men who have fought
them for two years still anxious 10 meet
them upon the field of battle, and punish
treason, it is conclusive evidence to Eu
ropean nations as well as to the South
of the business Of our cause, and our
steady determination to crush the Rebel
lion. ~
Last evening about so men, accompan
led by some ofour scouts. advanced rap
idly into the country in pursuit of some
noted guerrillas. After getting abou
eight miles from here they commenced
searching the houses, as they wen
along on and on they went, but could
see nor hear nothing Of their game they
continued their march, when all at once
the sound Of violin fell upon the ear.
Of the men, they were about $50 yard:
from the house from whence it proceed
ed. The men all knew what il mean,
Immediately the men were deployed il
squads, with orders to move quietly ant
come upon the house from all sides Tn,
advance was made getting as close a,
eight yards to the house out poured ;
half dozen Of the gay birds, firing sever
al shots into our boys immediately
bang bang went tn 3 guns Of our boys
as they charged upon the house contain
ing the i'll fated dancing party geo Sc
cesh soldiers and guerrillas with THEN
girls. ga fine game" said our boys
The history Of the Rebellion will no
show as confused mass as the party re
solved itself into, unless it be the grand
army Of the Potomac at the first battle
of Bull Run, and their precipitate re
treat after the seven days fight before
Richmond Some Of the girls danced
the Highland Fling" (if dancing you
could call il, in double quick style, tc
the usual step, while the men skedad
died for hiding places. Guards were
placed around the house and the search
began 16 were found, two of which
| were Killed and three wounded, besides
a girl who was wounded in the ankle oil
Whereabouts by an accidental shot. Poor
girl guess she thought the Yanks hard
customers. None OF our boys were hit
Several horses, guns, DC, were capmr.
ed after getting the men under guard
One of Our boys stepped into the house,
and looking under the bed. declared he
had found some fine crockery ware, (lhe
room was very poorly lighted, J Of course
some good plates would come handy in
camp the matter was fully investigated
Immediately. when il was found that a
darhie (chici musican) had resorted
here IN seclusion 10 avoid being biz by