The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-03


ton he said that he expected "transpor
tation' to accompany him on his jou, ney
br' as all moves in this department are
made without transportation, or anything
else, he would not overstep the general or
der that had been so long lived up to- lr
few moments all things were made ready
as they say at wedding, and OLD YEAR go
down his tin lantern and commenced sig
mailing to his Excellency EIGIITEEN HUN.
DRIED SIxTY-FoUR that be was ready to turn
over all the military stores in his possession
together with the muster roll of Go. G.
which can be made out on less paper than
it takes to write the Lords prayer. All
was huShed and still as Chamber of Com.
merce when navigation is closed AT length
there was rustling Of something like the
folding of Pittsburg Iron Front, and it
was announced, He comes He comes ~
Enter Sixty FOUR: In his right hand he
held the shroud of Bill Pool, Of N. Y, (the
U. 5. F'ag,) a sample of which your hum.
BILE servant took such shine to about l6
months ago. and has been following round
through mud and dust, wet and dry, ever
since, in the endeavOr to lose his health and
save his country. The former iete has been
accomplished, the latter is like some of our
iron fleet, "in process Of construction r.
The spokesman, in our behalf, said we had
better be introduced in the japanese form
of worship, as we were all pros,rate, and in
all probability would remain so for some
time. The sly lc was unanimously adopted:
the band struck up the national air 1--WE
won't 60 home till morning" after which
we We're introduced separately, and each was
booked tor fat office. 1t reminded me of
the joke the Angel got off on Abou, when
he was taking the names Of those that loved
the Lord-my name was in too late for an
office but got it down for good job in
some TIN Shop, where shall spend most
of my time in teaching the young people
geography in the old Peter Farley style,
and it may be that some of tn M in the far
off future will be Macks--nothng of this
latter clause, however, shall be so construed
as to mean matrimony. After some fnssing
in arranging books and papers, SIxrY-FoUR
was called on to address the meeting, Goa
is drunk lie said he "was happy to meet
so vast concourse of people in so small
tent; it was impossible to enslave free
people ;" this was cheering news to me, as
am getting tanned up some ard had some
fears: in conclusion he said this war am
closed you will only be retained in the ser
vice until such time AS the contractors get
their stocks of shoddy clothing ready to is.
sue, then you will see a flaming order to each
private and non. commissioned officer in the
volunteers to draw full suit of clothing.
(incuding knapsack and haversack. } the
price of which will be taken out of his paw
and bounty, after which, he said, we would
be permitted to gradually return to civiliza.
ton, and our former pursuits after grub
1t would be his study how to plan WAYS and
means for our comfort; now that Lawler
is gone we could get SHEEP once in a while,
provided we could get our officers to certify
that 1t was for their own use and mess
that IT there was any more mule meat issued
1t should be the swing team, as they we're
generally well pounded and ready for use"
Here his feelings overpowered him and he
was forced to SIT down. The canteen was
again introduced and all hands Joined in
saying "lour nping-tearing Johnny will
meet you SOON"
Happy it was that we were soldiers. for
| think they are the only submissive beings
there is on this earth AS the morning of a
New Year was fast approaching, we thought
1t best, like honest men, to retire and give
bloom and beauty undraped and unadorn-
ed, but something must have crossed her
path, for when we awoke, we were in the
midst of storm Of wind and sand, our
tents, Gas matter of c"urse,) all set mouth
to the wind. TO have fried piece of meat
would have been a fruitless effort. On
speaking to George if it could be done, he
said he would try. The beef reScmbled
Qnimbog whctstones, and the irving pan
looked like piece of blue lime stone. AZ
ter parsakng of our frugal repast, sand
wIches. &c, we repaired to our tent to
make up our toilet. The picture would
have cellcd for an explanation under any
other circumstances, but as we were ac-
qnainted with the whole affair, we forgave
the appearance and reverted to the good old
adage that The evenings diversion did not
bear the mornings reflection" vet we could
see that Time had been standing b hind us
fp"ling with our hair! After breakfast we
sailed forth to look at our surroundings -
The first thing that attracted our attention
vas our brave little MAJ,R mounting the
camp guard, and giving the charge to Capt
SwIvlc that there uas to be no arhiskey soM
by our Sutler to the 2lst We stood at our
camp fire and heard the order How quick
did our mind 60 back to the time and place
when neither OF the personages would have
complained Of New year repast, except
they might not have been invited to drink.
do not say this with the idea of casting any
r. frctions on their characters as men and
officers. While have given you sample
OF Gen. LAWYER as more meat than mind, |
Will not pass without saying that oni Major
l. more jewel than caSket, and that he will
always command the respect Of those who
have seen him in trials deep and dark with
strife. And on showing him a can of
brondied peaches that was got at Col De.
corsieS. he seemed to have a taste for orch
ard fruit. but he was too late in speaking
We will let this New Year pass, hoping that
it is our last in the army, and that ere the
spring time comes we may once more see
the smoke curling rom the home chimney,
instead Of the rebel cannon.
| would say something about a small ar
ticle in your Home Column, "Llne,"
watch" ''hunting case" &c, but as have
not learned the names Of the chums, | do
not know who to return thanks to, and as
Col. MERRILL has not returned to the regi-
ment, | would prefer that the watch be re.
tanned until come home. If the friends
will forward their names will answer with
a letter of acceptance the same rs though
received, and now let me tip. at this far-off
distant shore, military orders to the con-
trary notwithstanding one long, deep glass
of-friendship, and 10 close, we will sing
the popular song:
oh, land Of rest, TO, thee sigh,
" hen will the moment come,
When shall lay this knapsack by,
Aud dwell in peace at home,
LINE McKINNIE.