The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-22
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A True Story of Army Life-camp in
eide lts-Forced Marches-Skir-
mishes And Hard Fought Bal
ties in Missouri And Ar
kansas.

kansas.
A steamboat on the Usage river!
This was surprise; no one had thought
of crossing the river on steamboat
but it seems that small boats had oc-
casionally made their trips up to that
point end now one was there express
ly to assist in crossing the army. She
was just getting up steam, and pretty
soon the troops commenced crossing.
While the troops were crossing on the
boat, the train and artillery were
crossing on a military bridge construct
ed for the purpose. By noon of the 4th
the whole command was in camp on
the right bank of the river. The troops
lay here on the ground to rest. The
town at the mouth of Sin creek was
deserted, the citizens being mostly
rebels. The wealthiest and most re.
spected one among them, was Union
man and had given his money and in
fiuence freely in support Of the Union
cause. A few weeks before, he had a
very large store and was doing an ex-
tensive business, but squad Of rebel
Jayhawkers visited him and nearly
robbed his store of all it's goods; REM
nant only was left; these we're pur-
chased by our boys at their own price
which was not at great Profit to the
owner. The owner was then absent
and our boys did their own clerking;
hats, caps. tobacco and cigars, seemed
to be most ready sale. Here the boys
also procured some excellent cherry
bounce on which they had real jolli-
fication. On the 9th the line of march
was taken up and continued toward
Lebanon where the regiment arrived
on the evening of the 7th. These
were two days heavy marching, MAX
ing fourteen miles on the 9th and six
teen miles on the eth, on very billy
and muddy roads. 1t was called sew
enty-five miles from Leba non to SYRIA
cuse. but in coming the regiment had
marched some days twelve miles and
were at night only five miles from the
place of starting, thus marching at
least eighty-five miles in ten days
through the most inclement weather
and over the worst possible roads.
The regiment went into camp few
miles west of Lebanon and lay by on
the Sth and 9Th to await the arrival of
more troops. The 9th was Sunday,
day established among Christians for
public worship and day of rest from
labor; but among the 5000 men that
were there, very few were aware that
it was Sunday or day of rest. The
fife and drums were playing and beat
ing as lively as on any week day, and
the men were as busy drilling as they
were through the week days in regu-
lar camp. 1t was the first sunny day
for two weeks and hence the lively APP
pearance of camp, A brass band over
toward town, was discoursing sweet
music which could be heard very dis
tinctly, and some of the boys preferred
enjoying its melody instead of partici-
pating in the hilarity of those around
them. A sham battle was fought that
afternoon in anticipation of a real one
which was expected to be had with
the. enemy in few days. Price was
reported to be fortifying himself seven
teen miles north of Springfield which
was thirty-hve miles from Lebanon.
The sham battle over, preparations
were made for an early march in the
morning. While lying here q gentle
man and lady of African descent, who
had been with the 59th for some time,
concluded that they would retire from
the army to the shades of private life;
the man had gained the confidence of
the boys and on leaving, they placed
in his hands considerable sum of
money to be given to their friends at
home. One man gave him p good
horse to take for him to st. Louis. He
departed and so did the money and
horse and neither was ever heard of
afterward. The temptation was too
great for the darkey's cupidity.
On the morning of the 10th the army
was again on the move, the 59th ILL.,.
bringing up the rear of JEFF. G. Davis
division. The roads were very bad
but the weather was favorable and the
country more level than from Syracuse;
the sick and much extra baggage was
left at Lebanon to be brought up ut
more convenient season. 1t was then
anticipated that the enemy would be
attempting to impede the advance of
of our army; but no indication of their
presence was discovered until the eve
ming of the 18th. About one o'clock of
the 18th, General Seigers column,
which was advancing another road
some half mile to our left, came upon
them out past pickets and sharp
skirmish ensued. AS soon, hswever,
as a piece of artillery was brought to
bear upon them they fled in confusion
leaving the road undisputed. This was
the first firing of artillery the regiment
had ever heard aud it caused a general
excitement. The army halted about
4 o'clock in a good position and several
companies from the different regiments
were sent out through the woods as