The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-02-16

or near this place, soon, as the rebs and
bush whackers, since cold weather, has
commenced swarming out Of their holes
like bees, their forces are largely RESIN
forced by heavy transcription made il,
Ipsrts OF The aonntry where our army was
not in immediate possession of.
II is reported from Headquarters to;
day that there is force Of about ] 500
rebs down the river on the Miss, side
about 2 miles. they are part Of Gen.
Forest troops-they attempted to cap
ture passing boat, but failed, there
were forty Of their shots that struck her,
but fortunately no one on board was
hurt. The day before. party, suppos.
ing to belong TO the same body, succeed
ed in getting on an Island, about mis-
up the river, by constructing a raft,
there was about SO government wood
choppers, ''colored men" unarmed,
they killed 2 or 8 and took several OF
them prisoners, besides capturing sew
eral Govt teams &C., and burning all
the wood, the patrol gun boat was on
hand, which made them soon get up and
dust y
Our scouts, also report force of rebs
al r., ,to-
on this side. A flag of truce came in
from them the other day, on trifling
matter, it was supposed their object was
only to give Information, the party, Is
in number, the "chiaf of which was a
Colonel" were allowed to return in
returning, they passed one ofthe guards
which l had out to protect some wood
choppers against surprise. The rebs
were challenged to halt ! as they had
taken down their flag of truce after
leaving The pickets. One Of the party
says, hear some one say halt Ano'h
er one, looking around, remarked, that il
d. .
was nothing but some damned niggers,
and put spurs to their horses, the sen
tinel fred, the shot, as the rebel Col
said just missed him. The fire brought
several of the guard in view along the
road, and the rebs thought it policy to
show their protection, they run up the
flag oftruce, and returned to where thev
were 6rsl halted after satisfying my
self, that they were bearers of dispatch
es, and bad been passed out by the Gen.
| told them that they had better be off,
as would not answer for their safety II
they stayed long, for in looking around,
| saw The muskets OF about dozen men
brought down TO ready, and could see
they meant shoot.
would not be vain in saying that.
Iowa has sent good troops 10 the field,
but | might be vain in saying that she
has sent better troops than other States,
either white, or black. l will give you
the report of the Inspector General of
this District who inspected the troops a,
this place short time since, the Ist,
Iowa passed No. 1, with two other white
regiments, and No. l, over two old white
regiments, and two colored. To those
who had any prejudice in sending color
ed troops from Iowa. it may be some sat
isfaction for them to know that they have
sustained a reputation over any other
colored troops, they have yet met, andac-
cordng TO the Inspectors report, have
passed A, No. !, over one Wisconsin
and one Missouri regiment, in discipline,
drill and manual of arms A part Of
our regiment-fve companies, have Ia.
ken The place OF the SD Missouri in the
batteries, around the city, the SD Mo,
and 25th Wisconsin Infantry were ord
erd away, which leaves only two white
and three colored regiments at this post.
There has been about 80, 600 troops OF
the 10Th army corps, passed down the
river on transports. within a few days,
their destination is unknown, but is sup
posed TO be Mobile. The eth, Iowa,
passed down night before, last-27th,
ult. had the pleasure of meeting 1t.
Donnan, 1t. Hemenway and 1t Wilcox,
and some others from Independence,
they we're all well, hearty and in good
spirits.
/ must close, as we are ordered to get
ready tonight TO start at minutes no.
t;ce. We are probable going out on
scout or reconoIsance, which will be
new to the lst, Iowa.
VIM. H. WILLIAMS.
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