The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-02
ON THE PLAINS IN IS.
Up the TuTbId Missouri-Tcn Days Ex.
posed 10 n DrepchiDg R.in-rhe Boat
Is snnEge,i, and the Boys Jump over.
board-Musing Upon the Past.
BY SERGEANT HOLIDAY.

| poAEu-"uhthk gpuu the Fhhts
BY SERGEANT HOLIDAY.
..., 3.
AT St Louis we embarked on an oil
bulk Of steamer destined for the Missour
River, and thence 10 Fort Leavenworth
Kansas-our starting point over the plain
TO the mountains-a distance Of twelv,
hundred miles.
A voyage up the Missouri River is 1
fine thing to contemplate, but altogether
different thing TO experience.
had made the trip with company o
emigrants seven years before-when but
mere boy-a part OF the day of the deck o
the old civilian Russell, and still helc
some unpleasant reCollections OF muddy
water, sand bars and snags, and the sink
ing Of oDr steamer in six inches oil water
and oil waiting six long days for boat to
come TO our assistance.
l have waded through many years oil
untold hardshipe, but l now think that this
second trip up the turOid Missouri was the
most uncomfortable soldering we had ever
experienced. The boat was literally packed
from stem to stern with troops and horses,
there being part OF several regiments on
board. My company, with several others,
were quartered on the hurricane deck.
The first several days the rain came down
upon US in torrents. For shelter we pitched
our tents all over the roof. But they af-
forded but poor protection, as We could
not ditch" around them, and the water
ran under US and was taken up by our
heavy blankets.
To add TO our discomfort a cyclone struck
us one cold, wet night, and tore the last
vestige oil our tents from their iastenings
and carried them into the surging muddy
water. From that time until We reached
Kansas City wo we're drenched and soaked,
and many Of the boys, for the first time in
many month, had their uniforms washed.
To add TO all this, We had but one stove
an old sheet iron thing-upon which
two or three hundred men had to do their
cooking. For eight or ten days and nights
this was covered with cups and camp ket.
ties. II was against the rules to fry meat
that could be eaten raw; but coffee must
be cooked.
1t was delicious coffee. 1t looked rich
and good, having the appearance Of being
well "creamed;h but after drinking few
quarts Il was positively necessary to take a
chew oftobacco in order to kill the bad
taste.
The day We passed Kansas City the storm
"let up" and the glorious sun came out
warm and beautilui-a most welcome
sight. Then such drying Of clothes and
blankets! That boat looked like huge
"iunk boat" with all the old rags In Gre
alton. It was sight TO make even Chi.
naman blush. Every available hog chain,
as high rs pike pole could reach, was
turned into clothes line. all the ratings,
and even the pilot houBe, were brought
into requisition, and the boys took turns
at holding their blankets around the smoke
stack. They made hay while the sun
shone.
Twas day Of thanksgiving for tho fes.
tive gray back. They, too, were warmed
into new life, and marshaled their iaumer.
able hosts on the sunny side OF the blankets
and old shirts, and backed in the warm
sunlight, gathering strength for the next
onslaught.
The night following was clear and pleas.
ant. We had all "spooned" down together,
aud were making up for lost time at a
splendid rate, when crash and ringing
OF bells below awoke us rather abruptly.
In an instant all was uproar and confusion,
in which few men fell overlooked.
"The boat is wrecked!' "Boys, che is
bound 10 sink" "Gnlb rool!" "Sink or
swimw and many other expressions could
be heard as the mass OF excited men rushed
10 and fro in the darkness.
Some one ordered the horses to be cut
loose and showed overheard. Amidst the
confusion /, with many others had clam.
bered over the guard rails and down the
sides OF the boat to the lower deck, which
became so densely packed that many were
showed into the water.
Then over went horse, then another,
until half dozen or more were in the river.
Then the bass voice OF man arose from
out OF the depths OF the muddy waters, and
could be heard above the din and confu-
sion:
"What in the - are you doing there?
Don't launch any more horses over here.
'Tdint a foot deep"
Ina little while our old comrade Cahil
was hauled on board, with all the others
who had fallen into the water. No one
was hurt. Quiet was soon restored, and
what at first seemed to be dreadful acct.
dent became q good joke, especially on
those who had been "ducked."
An inspection OF the boat revealed the
fact that shelay on sand.bar with large
snag running through her larboard wheel.
house, which had completely demolished
the cooking department.
Just aft OF the wheel.house were several
horses. One OF these had been caught by
prong oil the snag in its descent, and was
found standing on his hind feet with his
head up in the hole made in the floor Of
tho cabin by the snag. On. cutting his
halter he dropped fright side up with care,
and revealed himself 10 be old Cara.
baldi." He had made another narrow
escape, and thus.increased in value lin the
estimation Of his MASTERY TO zone thousand
dollars"
Morning dawned, the snag was removed,
and in the meantime some Of the men went
ashore in search OF their stock, which was
soon found quietly grazing on the rich
Kansas grass.
The next day we disembarked at Fort
Leayenworth, and I, with suppressed emo.
tional feelings, realized that once more
stood upon the dear soil OF my boyhood
days-the soil which contained the remains
Of a dear mother.
had formed a wild love for Kansas in
early youth, when the Kaw, Pottowotmy,
and other half wild Indians lived along
the wooded banks Of the Kansas river.
Four years OF boyish life filled with sports
and wild excitements had been spent here,
which now seem like dream Of long ago.
Who does not love the scenes Of bis
YOUTH Where Is the man go happy and
back 10 boyhood DAYS and live that life
over againP
All through the long journey across the
Estates" l had been musing upon this
early life. Scenes and incidents were re-
called, Familiar forms and happy faces
constantly fitted before me, recalling many
i =. ~ 4 n IL. L