The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-10-26


Mr.. EDIroR:-We are still occupying the
same camp we did when 1 last wrote you. The
telegraph will keep you advised of all import
ant movements of the army concentrated in
this region, so l shall confne myself to matters
which more Immediately concern our own Regi
ment.
The regiment has been drilling in the manual
of arms, which we have received since we came
to this place, and exhibits, as we think, COM
mendable proficiency in the use OF them. Col.
Mcdowell is strict disciplinarian-in small, as
in matters of great Importance, and, hazard
the assertion, that no regiment in the Western
Division Of the army, will make more impos-
ing appearance on parade, than the one he has
the honor to command. His fine, portly figure
shows to great advantage, in full uniform ON the
field. Major Corse, too, is good cosdjutor in
seconding and carrying out the views and plans
of the Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Cummings
has just joined the Regiment, and, from the
short acquaintance we have had with him, con.
slider him valuable accession.
| Since we have been in this camp, the Regi-
| ment has been constantly employed on picket
duty, and in chopping and clearing the hills of
timber, SO as to open an unobstructed range Of
the batteries which surround the city. This is
| deemed necessary to make the place SO secure
that it will be able to resist any attack the Re-
| bells may bring against it. By this means a
| small force will be able to hold it. and the rest
| Of the army be employed elsewhere.
! Our Regiment, Qowa SIXTH is now attached
to Gen. Tottens Brigade, and we expect orders
to move, in conjunction with his command a,
a4y moment. News, or rather rumors of the
enemy's whereabouts are constantly in crcula'
ton, but the fact is, we know just nothing about
them. This state of things is objectionable =
No commander-in country like this, should
be ignorant, for an hour, of the strength ant
position Of the enemy. Nothing-it seems tt
me-could be easier, than for commander tC
keep himself constantly Informed in all these
| things.
We have not yet received our pay, and We
begin to experience great inconvenience in con
sequence. Many are not able to write to theil
friends--not having the money to pay the pos
tage. We have now been three months in thu
service, and why there has been SO much della.
is not easy TO imagine.
Orders came last night, that we were to marci
1 at six o'clock in the morning, but in conse
quence of the usual delays in such movements
the Battalion did not get in motion before l:
O'clock Onr destination is understood to b,
Sedslia, about sixty miles west OF ,his poilt, a
the terminus Of the Pacific Railroad, but W,
may stop this side-perhaps Syracuse.
The boys are elated at the idea Of meeting
the enemy. They are anxious to get sight a
them. They feel that they have been idle loni
enough, and their greatest desire is to have
chance to try their mettle. verify believe
they will render good account of themselves
Active operations are now before them. Th
proper season has arrived that VIC may pene
trate the far South, and that think is our de,
tinaton / will write you again at our mex
move uur mar ehes will nov be constant an
rapid. Yours truly,
H. n ROBERTS