The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-12-06
The Effects OF Delay.
nee Of the New York Tribune.

HEADQUARTERS GEN. SUMNER, Nov. ~.
We are beginning to experience some Of the
trials Of Winter campaigning. All last night
the rain again fell steadily, and this morning wa
ter Is Standing In great pools in almost every
camp. The soldiers are grouped around their
camp fires drying their wet garments, and bear
ing upon their faces the unmistakable indics-
lions Of having spent sleepless and unpleasant
night Rain is more disagreeable to . soldier
than snow. It makes the most patient and M
complaining fretful and disconnected with him
self and all his surroundings. And at this mo-
ment rain is peculiarly unfortunate, and has .
depressing influence upon the entire army. The
roads from Aqua Creek and Belle Plain are
almost impossible. Within quarter of mile
Of Gen. Burnside's headquarters. l saw three
heavy transport wagons stuck fast in the mud,
and ali the mules they could hitch to them
seemed powerless to drag them forth. What a
fearful loss to the country has been McClellan's
refusal to march when ordered to do 80 by Gen.
Halleck. Then we we're having the most de-
lightful weather, and the roads were all in .
superb condition.
From Harper's Ferry to Richmond we would
have hardly encountered a mud pool. And then,
too, We would have bad our enemy nearly two
hundred miles from bis base--now he Is within
sixty, with railroad transportation. Gen. Burn.
barely possible that the campaign may prove Q
failureif 90, it it is but simple justice that the
onus of the failure be lifted from the shoulders
of Gen. Burnside ard heaped upon those of
Mcclellan. ssl @9ss 80 s.5.t
When We are to move it seems impossible to
| tell The great pontoon train comprised Of 4S
boats, each 80 feet long and drawn by eight
mules, arrived several days since and is ready
to be laid at moments notice. or rather those
10 charge of it are ready t, make the attempt; to
lay it, in the face Of the batteries erected against
it, will be quite another matter. The laying of
the train, il it is deemed advisable to cross the
river here, will be under the direction Of Gen.
Woodbury., who commands the Engineer Bri.
gade, composed Of 5000 practical engineers
If not exposed to the FIRE of the enemy it can
4 be put down in one hour and forty minutes
General Lee is working necessarily night and
day in erecting Notifications all along the hights
back of Fredericksburg The Bowling Green
road, the telegraph road, and the old turnpike to
Gordonsville, are now commanded by earth
works at every angle. On the Gordonsvle road,
where there seems to be very large encamp
ment, counted this morning IA intrenchments,
nearly all of which have been thrown up since
Monday. Five came in sight of the signal glass
this morning which were not there last night
proving concusi,ely that during all the cold
piercing rain, which made even those sitting
beside warm FIRE in comfortable house shiver
they were at work strainipg every nerve tt
strengthen their position. Every days delay
now on. our part is gain to them. The railroad
from Richmond is running as far as Massapo
max Valley. but seven miles from the river, ant
all their supplies and re.enforcements are un
doubtedly received from that source. It is bu
simple truth to say, in the sight of what is tran
spring in front of US, that if We but display hal
the energy and seltsacrifce of the enemy, VI
could drive him into the Gulf of Mexico in thre'
months. z U.s..
1t is currently reported this evening, that ",
are soon to have the aid Of another arm of th'
public service, and that the recent rains viii
hasten i,s approach to the city. If so, We Cal
endure with patience the horrible roads ou
long trains now founder through, to the death
or ruin of SO many fine horses But Why coult
we not have had this aid before, and what is the
reason that every time we move something ii
wanting to crown the campaign with success?