The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-09-21
Correspondents Of the Hawk Eve.
LETTER FROM DIES MONIES.
4ss.e fsii Dies MONIES, Sent Is.

EDrfoR OF HAwK-EYE:
NJ. Durham and Capt. Cook, of Co. K, LIST
iowa Regiment, in proposing to correct the or
rors Of "Des Moines, have gone beyond the re-
cord and the fact, just a. nameless journal in
this latitude had done before them. In saying
that the LIST Iowa Regiment refused to accept
Col Merritt. a. . leader, in the Wilson's Run
battle, I stated only what had already been as
serted, without contradiction, by the correspon-
dent Of the St. Louis Democrat, and the cores
pendent of the New York Tribune, both Of whom
professed to have been present at the battle. :
The whole country has received and credited the
statement that the Iowa Regiment called upon
General Lyon to lead them in their final onset
against the rebels Your correspondent accept.
ed the statement As true, without intending to
cast reflection upon the character, the soldier
tly qualities or the bravery Of 1t. Col. Merritt
He may be, and doubt not lie brave man.
&c did his duty, beyond question. But for all
that, he may not have been the man to lead q
regiment under, such perilors circumstances
He may have been destitute Of the experience,
military skill and cool, sclfpossession 10 neces
sary in . military leader in the hour Of conflict
III this was so, the soldiers Of his regiment would
be very apt to know 1t. However this may be.
they knew that Col. Bates was not at his post,
and they desired leader do not choose to
let this statement rest upon the authority of the
able correspondents of the Tribune and Demo-
Graf. have the authority of Captain ~ the
Regiment for saying that number of its officers
did call upon Gen. Lyon the night before the
battle, and solicit the appointment of member
Of his Staff to lead item on the ensuing day
The General replied 70 them, that he could not
spare the officer named, but he would see that
they had leader with whom they would be per.
fectly satisfied. ] have seen it stated recently
Il think in the official report Of Gen. Sturgis)
that Gen. Lyon fell while leading Kansas regi
ment. What is the truth Of history in this par
ticular shall not attempt to decide. What
have stated above, comes to me from 80 many
sources ard upon such authority as 70 leave no
doubt would not pluck single laurel from
the brow of Col. Merritt. That be did his duty
I have no doubt; and it is no reflection upon his
bravery or merits to say that the lat Regiment
preferred q more experienced leader in an hour
Of great peril. "a
Political matters are in ferment just now at
the political centre Of the State. have nm
doubted authority for stating (what you may
have heard ere this) to: It. Col. Merritt and
Reuben Noble have fol owed the example Of
Gen. Baker and declined The positions assigned
them BY Conventions rec ntly held in this city.
Merritt. (your readers viii. rccollect) was select
ed for 1t. Governor ons,hc Aahoney ticket, and
Noble was nominated fer Judge by the Union
Convention. l predicted the step taken BY the
latter. and it was probablxno more than could
have been expected. that Nr. Merritt should re
fuse q position upon the traitorous platform Of
the kahoney Convention.
Hon. J. F. Wilson spoke to . large and en-
thusiastic audience in this city on Saturday
evening He uttered plain truths with great
power; proving Neal to be Disunioniat, by hi.
own admissions. He spoke kindly Of Edwards,
endorsing his loyalty and honesty.
Yours, DIES MoIMEs.