From the 16th to the 23d of October, the regiment continued its line of
march daily. It moved in a south-western direction, crossing the
Pacific railroad at Otterville.
Otterville is a small town on the railroad, near the right bank of the
Lamoine river. It numbers from three to five hundred inhabitants, most
of whom are very indifferent to the Union cause. No manifestations of
rejoicing were shown on the approach of the noble men who were coming
to protect them from the ravages of the rebel army; no stars and
stripes were spread to the breeze as they came in sight, but every one
manifested a coolness which indicated very distinctly in which
direction their sympathies lay.
The country still continues to be very good. The farming lands are here
under good cultivation and well improved. The soil is productive, and
gives liberally into the hands of the cultivator. Every one seems to be
prospering but somewhat discouraged at this time, as Price's army made
rather heavy draws on their granaries and larders as he passed through
here, and the Union army is now claiming a share of what they have
left. There is yet an abundance to supply all demands, and no one need
to suffer.
The brigade passes through Otterville without halting, and none but a
few stragglers have any thing to say to the citizens, either to
aggravate or soothe them. The direction taken is towards Warsaw, on the
Osage river, where, it is rumored, Price is entrenching.
The routine of a campaign is now fully commenced. Reveille is sounded
at five o'clock in the morning--all hands must then turn out to roll
call--breakfast is cooked, and at seven the bugle sounds to fall in for
the march. Two hours steady march follows, and then a rest of ten
minutes, and _thus_ until twelve or fifteen miles is passed over,
when, if wood and water is convenient, camp is selected, tents are
pitched, supper is provided, retreat is sounded, and all becomes quiet
for the night. Thus it was with the Ninth, until their arrival at
Warsaw. There is nothing to enliven the monotony of the march but the
lively jokes and sallies of wit of the boys, and the change of scenery
through which they pass.
The distance from Otterville to Warsaw, by the roads the regiment
moved, is perhaps seventy miles, and the face of the country is
considerably variegated. For the most part it is a level, unbroken
region until you approach the bluffs of the Osage. The land is however
rolling and enough diversified with hills and elevated peaks, to make
it interesting to the traveler.
On the 23d of October, the regiment went into camp two miles north of
Warsaw, to await the construction of a military bridge across the Osage
river. The Osage at this point is about three hundred yards wide, with
abrupt high banks and a deep swift current, so that it is impossible to
cross an army in any other way than by means of a strong substantial
bridge.
On the arrival of the division, as many "sappers and miners" and
laborers as could be profitably employed, were set to work, and in
forty-eight hours the bridge was ready for crossing. It was a very rude
structure, but answered every purpose.
At Warsaw other troops came in from other directions, and swelled the
forces which were to cross at this point to quite a large army. Some
arrived in the morning before the Ninth, and about ten thousand passed
the regiment after it had gone into camp. The weather continues
delightful, and regiments coming in and passing, with their bright guns
and accoutrements, present a splendid and most cheering spectacle.
There was great disappointment manifested by the troops on their
arrival here and finding that Price was still on the wing. Here is
where madame rumor had strongly entrenched the rebel army, and the boys
had confidently expected to have a battle with him at this point. Their
chagrin was great when they learned that he had still two or three
weeks the start of them towards Arkansas. They were consoled somewhat
by a probability that he might stop at Springfield and give them
battle. They now felt that after being reinforced by so vast an army as
seemed to have joined them here, they could whip the whole southern
confederacy, before breakfast, some bright morning, if it could be
found. Although disappointed, they were not discouraged, but were very
eager for the pursuit to recommence.
While laying here those who could get passes, and some who could not,
went over to town, and spent the day in making observations. Warsaw was
the first town the boys had any leisure or opportunity to visit since
leaving Boonville, and it was quite a treat for them to chat with the
citizens, and partake of their hospitalities. A few of them came back
to camp pretty blue,--something besides water having been found in
Warsaw,--and a few did not return until the next morning, having found
some other attractions to detain them.
Although there was quite a number of men reporting to the surgeon at
the morning sick call, there were but few serious cases of disease in
the regiment at this time. The seeds of the measles had produced its
fruits and disappeared, and now the regiment was comparatively healthy.
While laying here, news was received of the death of Johnson Kyle, of
Company D, at Jefferson City. He was one of the three left there sick
with the Measles, when the regiment started for Boonville. His name
heads the list of deaths to be recorded by the regiment, after leaving
St. Louis. John Burk, of Co. F, very soon followed him, and occupies
the second place in that honored list.