The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-04-19

that IL was the business Of the cavalry to keep
Us posted on the movements of the enemy, and
to immediately advise the General Commanding
Of any change Of position. Yet the rebels
were allowed to make all their arrangements to
stack US With perfect IMMUNITY, and in entire
secrecy. Moreover, during the battle, they
were worse than useless, l have yet to learn Of
an instance where they either made an attack
upon the enemy, or stood charge from them.
Az far As thy own observation extended they al
ways took special pains to keep out Of the way
Of the enemy's fire. Whenever retreat took
place they we're the FIRST to run, and in two sep
arste instances on Monday and Tuesday, they
were the means Of creating a shameful panic
amongst our troops, and : ludicrous stampede
for the steamboat landing Many of them re-
NAMED near the river all day Sunday, not ventu-
ring out upon the field at all; and others we're
constantly exciting alarm by circulating reports
of the successes of the enemy, and the discom-
future of our own forces. They are regarded
here since the battle with feeling of utter con.
tempt; and If the immense sums of money spent
in organizing and equip.ng these useless append
ages to the army had been employed in hitting out
infantry regiments, the result of Sundays fight
ing at least would have been very different in
it's effects upon the enemy.
Third have been more than ever convin-
ced of the importance of discipline and drill
in forming an efficient army. Those regiments
that had brave and competent officers fought
unfinchingly in the face of successive and des-
perate attacks from the enemy, and when or
dered to retire, would do SO in good order fight
ing as they moved back, and forming again
into line at the word of command. Others
would break and run at the first fire, and could
not be rallied by the most strenuous exertions
Of their officers. One regiment OF this sort
was met BY the 7th Iowa, as it was moving to
the front during the fight of Monday. Their
officers were incapable of rallying them, seeing
which, Mai E. w. Rice them commanding the
eth, ordered his men to charge bayOnets upon
the cowardly sneaks. And in this way alone,
could they be halted and brought into line. -
Buelrs force was manifestly well organized and
under an excellent system of discipline and in
struction. They were kept well in hand du-
ring the battle, and reflected high credit upon
the General commanding. Many Of our of
ficers-from Colonies down to Second Lieu
tenants openly deserted their posts and fed
panic stricken from the field of battle. But
all this, through the great
mercy of God we were finally delivered from
our peri!ous situation, and enabled to drive
back the rebels in utter disorder This battle
is another instance of the vindication Of the
sanctity of the Sabbath by the Lord of battles
and of Providence. The party commencing
the attack on the Sabbath were ultimately
worsted and failed in all their endeavors.
We expect another battle soon, either here
or at Corinth. Gen. Halleck has arrived, and
Is expected to take command in person. But
a great deal of rain has fallen since the battle,
and the roads are now almost impossible.
Many of the dead still lie unburied. The
battle field was one of the most heart rending
sights 1t was ever my lot to witness. For miles
the ground was strewn with the mangled re-
mains of the dead, and the dying, and those
disabled by their wounds. The loss on each
side can only be counted by thousands. The
rebels took the most prisoners, but it is pro-
bable that their dead and wounded will far ex-
coed ours. The fire of our artillery was terri
bly, destructive to their ranks.
They fought as though the issue Of the whole
war depended upon their endeavors, and our
men fought as knowing that defeat was captivi.
ty or death.
Enclosed send a list of the killed and
wounded of the Iowa It'll. G..