The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-09-05
MADISON, WIS, Aug. 20, '66.

AiADiSoN1 w Guy. ~. w.
Col. a. p. RICHARDSON,
GREETING Fearing your former cores
pondent from the Southern Confederacy,
$50 called" may, in this long interval
have been forgotten, am inclined to jog
your memory through the columns of the
TINES, and give you some items of my
journey hitherward from Secessia to this
great western land. l fatter myself
have fine descriptive powers! l feel a
consciousness that have been derelict in
duty in not writing more sketches, not to
say book of travels, for the edifcation
and enjoyment of my countrymcn of these
United States, now SO harmoniously re-
Joined, after divorce of four years AS a
general thing, I don't believe in re-mar.
riages, but this has proved an exception to
the rule-this late reunion. But as l was
saying, feel that have not discharged
my duty-have not even "wasted my sweet.
ness on the desert air." in literary sense,
but have kept it selishly and as l, like
most of my angelic sex, have only to see
where duty leads, to follow her obediently
/ now hasten to appease my conscience
and edify the readers of the TINES.
Sallie B. and myself left Memphis on
the evening of July Sd, under the escort of
a gallant son of Mars, from New York,
answering to the name Of Smith, (James
not John.) Sallie is seventeen, graceful,
agreeable and curly headed. Once under
way, the Col. engaged me in sprightly
conversation on politics, while Sallie laid
her curly head back on the seat and listen
ed No-I don't believe she listened Ell
ther; she looked to me as if she was think
ing profoundly of something in particular;
possibly of-of the lad she left behind her,
one Will BLANK. Now /, like several Ia
dies of my acquaintance, don't understand
able faculty of seeming to know a great
deal on any subject. This faculty l think
l have observed in several people of both
sexes. soon had the gallant Col. with
the uncommon name, in fine phrenzy.-
His eyes glared, and really watched to
see him foam at the mouth. He was a
Radical of the chronic type, (if that isn't
tautological and favored him with some
strong secession doctrines. told the gen.
tleman, that since the close of the war, the
Southrons had gradually become embtter-
ed, feeling themselves to be under politi-
cal ban, and that the attitude of the North
towards her, was that of man who has
his opponent down, puts his foot upon his
neck and though he cries enough keeps
it there, and with his recreant lips, sylla-
bles the words "You shall necer rise from
under my heel unless somebody knocks me
down." (which | told Col. Smith l most
ardently hoped somebody would do Col.
Smiths wrath had now reached crisis
1t had eliminated, and he burst forth in a
fury telling me he considered my senti-
ments reasonable &c. He then left me
couch. Sallie raised her head and said
slccpily, Lets go to the sleeping car
while the cars are still = amiably assent
ing to the proposition, we retired. Sallit
stopped in Tennessee the Col. and my.
self proceeded on our journey.
AT Centralia, Gen. Sherman, daughter
and some friends entered the cars, having
been on an excursion to celebrate the 4th
Col Smith being an acquaintance of the
Genl's, had long chat with him, repeat
ing some of my before mentioned sapient
remarks. had said that l believed there
were many in the South, had they the men
and means, would renew the fight. Gen.
S. humanely answered, that in such case,
the next time, they would show no mercy,
but would kill and burn as they proceeded.
This did not astonish or frighten me as
much as it would have done, had | not
been in Georgia during Sherman's march,
at which time some of his men took charge
of fine watch and chain of my own; and
with dexterity worthy of practiced thieves,
ransacked my brothers house, taking
pocket handkerchiefs, etc., from bureau
drawers &c. had seen and heard of the
"mercy' shown during the war-the burn
ing, plundering and other outrages, so was
not so much Mortified as l might have
been formerly. va
Arrived at Cincinnati, my irascible es.
cort bade me adieu, for he was en-route
for New York. l bore the parting with
fortitude hope his temper is milder in his
domestic conversations with his better
half, than in political chat with ladies Of
rebel tendencies. The weather, while
was in Cincinnati, was Northern with
Southern principles and not conducive tc
sightseeing, and my sojourn there was moi
as agreeable as it might have been under
cooler circumstances. In Springfield, Ohio
spent two weeks delightfully."-. have an
impression that the citizens of that thriv.
ing town have a large share of hospitality
in their composition. To Mr.. and Mrs. II.
and other friends, owe many thanks
Long shall remember my pleasant drives
over the town and suburbs with Mrs. H.,
Miss w. and Mr.. and Mrs. r., as well as
divers social meetings, with music, conver-
sation, political and otherwise, with differ
ent friends, including two very pleasant
calls at the studio of Mr. Frankenstein, the
artist, most genial and gentlemanly man
The location Of the new cemetery, is well
worth notice. One would almost be will
ling to sleep the long sleep, with the privi
lege Of resting in such a lovely place.
At South Bend, Ind, staid a fortnight
with the family of your old acquaintance
Mr.. b.. +. was too feeble to go about with
me, but some of the others showed me
around. Heard Mr.. Colfax, while there
and had the honor of standing near two
sons of Ham, who sat listening, under
standingly no doubt, to their Champion
While at South Bend, Mr.. b. and lady
rode with me to Notre Dame. My visi
there, will ever be one of the green spots
in the memory ofpast pleasant scenes
The Father Superior, at Notre Dame, es
corted our party through the grounds and
over the buildings, showing us everything
noteworthy, and in the kindest manner
10 the good old Father and the worthy
German Sister at st. Mary's, owe thanks
for one of the most agreeable P. Ms of my
life. Certainly, a visit to both institutions
one mile apart, is well worth any travellers
attention, in the West. The order, the
arrangements, the kindness and the lowell
ness OF the location, makes these two insti
tutions most desirable for educational pur
poses, to parents who desire pleasant and
thorough course of instruction for theil
sons and daughters, if they are not preju
diced against Catholicism.
f. and myself Oroceeded to Chicago