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

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embarked OH steamer eDes Moines. Jan.
e9th. The feet left Memphs--seven
boats ali loaded with soldiers, steamed
down the river at 10 o'clock, a. NJ
Our Brass Band, discoursed some lively
music, while other bands on other boats
Eare equally active in making the scene
interesting. A large crowd of citizens
gathered on shore TO bid us God speed
The large buildings adjacent TO the riv-
err were covered with mighty throng
Soon we fell below the Fort and amid
the cheers Of the crowd on shore and
the waving of handkercheis on the
buildings we babe farewell to Memphis
TO report at Vicksburg Miss. Il 'r'
A; dark we reached Helena, Arkan-
sas. Halted a moment, then pushed on
Jan'y 29th, at sunrise we were at the
mouth Of White river. This far the
regiment had sailed before. As soon as
we fell below all were on deck to view
the scenery. Only few moments pas
sed before we reached the mouth Of Ar
kansas river. A very fine little town.
Napoleon-stands at its confluence with
Mississippi river. On cur way down
nothing Of exciting interest occurred
The same desolation marked the whole
journey for miles until we had passed
to The extreme Southern Arkansas when
we passed large deserted planlations-on
either side Of the river. On some Of
them there were as many as thirty five
houses-isolated towns in which the
slave holder and his slaves formerly lily
ed, the former a heartless domineering
tyrant, the latter the toiling add abused
subject. ~ y ,gem
Sill father down we saw other panta.
tons which were not deserted, but work
ed under the supervision Of government
authorities bv the freed men. January,
30th, passed Willikens bend at a. m.
Saw the large building i'm which Gen..
McPherson's Headquarters were, during
the fitting out of the army whic mark
ed westward and South through Louis.
lana, crossing the river below Vicks.
burg during the siege. We also saw
the spot where the negroes fought so
heroicaly. conquerng the rebel posts.
At 10 a. m. we came in sight of the city
of sieges. We have passed the mouth
Of the Tazoo river, seen the famous ca.
nal-a mere ditch-and am alongside OF
Haines' Bluff. How many Of the noble
sons of America are buried upon those
hills How long and how earnestly did
that army gather about this city, meet
ing death by disease and by accident
What waiting. avrious hearts were with.
in the walls baitering so long against
Ale army of the Union How glorious
The victory of July 4lh, 1868 by the val
liant army under Gen. Grant. Imme-
diaiely on our arrival we debarked camp
ed on the shore and hastily unloaded
our vessels Of baggage and supplies
Yesterday we received on shore awaiting
orders. We were without tents or shell
ter. Early in the evening it commenc
Ell TdtHtig dUI ChIUo uOWU III ~ HoVI
until the whole fiat WAS covered with
water presenting lake like appearance.
The boys who had early laid down rest
under rubber blankets now became ava
kened, singing the boalmans' words Of
Information. Four, feet S TX feet
Mime feet ! ! No bottom j !! las
AT mid uight the rain ceased, and the
men without fires. passed the night un
pleasantly. though uncomplainingly =
This morning we moved at l 1 a. m. from
the levee through the city, TO our pres
ent camping ground. two miles in the
rear Of Vicksburg. The works are IN
measure abandoned The caves in the
earth are filled or Instantly left. The
forts are hastily torn down. We are
close to the spot where Lieut.. Col. Dun
lap of the 2lst Iowa, fell in the charge
on the fort just before US.
Our transportation is cut down to
three teams for regiment. A large
army is here commanded by Maj. Gen
Sherman, and will moys soon.
Hastily,
Ill ~ G.. II. L.