Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-06-21
CoRIsTH CORResP0NDENCE.

DEAR DExocRAT From the aspes,
Aairs are now wearing, it seems tba,
our division (Col. Todd commandipg) j,
70 remain in its present position for some
time to come, As . kind Of terror 10
secesh planters aud other would be evil
doors. Regimental bakeries are being
} constructed from logs and bricks, and 4
very good move it 10. eonsidering the
health Of our army, which has luxuriated
on hard crackers for a considerable
eogth Of time. When a man is sick,
you might a. well throw him a chip as
hard cracker; but with bread 10 our
hands, We can do at least little tow ards
helping our unfortunate comrades. -
Sickness is sweeping away our ranks
with surer strokes than Bcauregard's
bullets ever did. The mourniul notes Of
the dead march are echoiog through
the different camps at all hours of the
day. Men who were in the flush Of
health yesterday, are 10 their graves to.
day, with not a mourner to drop tear
over them. Mems hearts grow callous
when surrounded by so much misery
and death. A funeral is regarded as no
more Of a solemnity here than the daily
morning drill. As an instance Of the
manner in which sickness and death
cut down q regiment, l will state that
the 10th left Iowa with about $50 men
10 March, and at the present time it will
scarcely muster 800 fighting men. Bat.
tie, skirmish and disease have done the
work. Yet we have every reason to
believe that the rebel army is suffering
with disease in much the same proper
zion. 1t is impossible for an army to
exist under this torrid sun without
startling amount Of sickness and death.
10 my letter of last week mentioned
the fact that we were surrounded by
fine plantations. 1t has been ascertained
that the owners Of these plantations
have all been active secessionists. Not
tar from our camp, residing in an impos-
log mansion, with garden filed with
peach, pear, ounce, pepper, plum and
apple trees, is An old rebel, who boasts
that bis son Is a Lieutenant 10 the secesh
army, and that be has given halt his
slaves to the Southern service. OF a
morning he sits on the verandah of his
house, putting his cigar, and overIooks
with a tyrant's eye the weary slaves
,oiiiog 10 his fields. But let one Of the
soldiers who won these goodly lands
with blood aud toll p uck an apple from
one of this insolent traitors trees, and
"by order of Gen. Halleck," he is placed
At hard labor for seven days, labor,ng
twelve hours day. And 10 you think
This traitor is conciliated by such treat
ment? NJ! He despises the authori,
~ that protects him.
In this district all kinds Of water are
scarce, and especially good water. Now
| abo1t half mile from camp lives
another traitor, on whose premises is a
noble we'll of water-such as would
remind the soldier of far of Iowa. The
owner has two sons in the rebel army,
who, he boasts, killed many a stout
Yankee at Shiloh; but let famished
soldier attempt to get a drink ct this
we'll, and he is spurned away by the
hostile bayonet. Is this justice to the
winners Of these lands, and is it Justice
to the traitors Conservative means
beget only contempt in the eyes OF these
traitors, who are the most souless, God
forsaken men the sun ever shone down
upon.
Where the rebel army is at this time
is vast deal more than private sol
der can tell yon. Beanregard may be
IN China for aught We know, and Gen.
Pope also. All tie means We have to
know that there is seccsh army, are
few stray prisoners passing through our
lines with hang dog expression about
them, once in few days. Did you ever
see man caught in the act of stealing
a sheep from his neigh boris flock! Did
you ever see man caught in the act o.!
stealing the copper cents off dciunct
Africans eyes? II you have ever seen
a IL an in such dilcmmas you have the
exact expression which rebel prison
er's face wears. lie can't look loyal
soldier in the eyes. and he sneaks IF as
naturally as Gen. Fioyd's brigade did a,
TT. Donclscn. always pity them from
the bottom Of my soul, they 10 k so
self despisable. Ask one of them what
he1thi.ks Of the Southern Confedcracy,
Played out, he growls, aud looks in
every possible direction to escape your
eyes. And why shouldn't he They
have boasted and run got whipped aud
ran fortified and run; been cornered
and run, and being caught are unable
TO run, and are therefore ont of their Ell.
ement. l never knew the true motto OF
the Southern Contederacy til! the other
day, when | asked a woody headed little
"oig" what he thought of the secesh
'run" from Corin,h. sOb, dood runs
bet,er'n a bad etan'," he replied with a
grin which revealed a row Of ivory 10
striking contrast " tn his black hioe.
The railroad to Memphis is said to be
undergoing repairs, 40 that troops can
be sent forward from this place, and also
supplies be received via. Mississippi in
stead of the Tennessee river. The bows
arc anxious to get to Memphis and be-
hold the grand old Mississippi again; In
deed they would all rather be within
the limits of civilization than-to NOPE
| about in this wilderness. But l must
bring my letter to q close.