The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-06-14

ls .vfis4a3 idi WHDxEsDAY, May 20, 1862. !
Isl Unjust record . little adventure, pleasing and
interesting. had day before yesterday. Ny
last spoke shout the continued firing between
pickets. To such IN extent WAS il carried, 20
incessant the firing day and night, that nothing
short Of battle would alarm the camp, whsre-
- singls gun should be the signal for the
long roll But within the last three or four
days change for the better has taken place.
On Monday our regiment was sent to the
Notifications. 1t is the custom for the various
battalions to take their turn in staying 1t the
brsastworks for twenty-four hours, forming Q
| sort Of reserve picket; and from each regiment
20 stationed, two companies are sent to the
outposts. It fell to our lot to 90 out. The
Company We relieved informed III that the rsb.
els were disposed to be friendly; and with in
structions from the field officer not to FIRE un-
less fred upon, or the enemy attempted to ad-
vance, We set to work to watch the movements
of our neighbors The snsmy's pickets were
in the edge Of . wood about two hundred yards
from US. and my post-ons Of the best for OBJ
ssrvation-similarlys situated in another wood,
with level between US. For some time we
looked closely without being able to see any Of
them, they being disposed to be shy. We on
che contrary, exposed ourselves to their view,
which had the effect of making them holder,
and occasionally rebel passed from one tree
to another. and levelled field glass ct us.
waved handkerchief, which Was answered
from the other side, and tscitly understood to
mean no firing. An hour later, one of our
Southern friends waved handkerchief and
shouted, Meet me half way All right and
arming myself with Frank Leslie's, profusely
illustrated with pictures incidental to the cap
ture of New Orleans, started out. A rebel
surgeon Of the Sd Tennessee was the individ--
ual who met me. He was dressed in Q citizens
suit Of black with military buttons. and the
rank of Captain designated, not by shoulder
straps, but by marks on the collar After
shaking hands and exchanging the customary
salutations, We proceeded to talk about the war
He was at Fort Donelson and made his escape
the night before the surrender. Spoke Of the
battle of Shiloh at which he assisted; said it
was their intention to have made the attack on
Saturday instead of Sunday, but on account of
Misunderstanding between their Generals the
plan failed. The number Of deserters from his
side appeared to have . prominent place in his
mind, which he vainly endeavored to conceal
DO you have many deserters from your ranks!'
he commenced. told him of only two cases
which had come under my notice for more than
year, taking care to add that they ran homs.
He wanted to know if many of their men came
over to us. 4 answered rather equivocally,
"A few How msny?' Fearful now that if
told him the great number that actually did
come to US the rebel leaders would increase
their vigilance, merely said that had seen six,
the number had personally beheld. i guess
they 60 the other way he replied, thereby &C.
knowledging they suffered much from deser-
ton. Mr.. Tennessee wanted to know Why We
did not make the attack; they were anxiously
waiting for rs and confident Of victory. said
that they could not be more eager for the bat-
tie, or more sure Of success, than ourselves;
that to useverything appeared to be ready, but
We were not supposed to know Gen. Halleck's
plans. We talked together some fifteen min
utss, both Of rs very wary about giving con-
traband information He was gentlemanly.
we'll educated man, apparently under 80 years
OF age, and from Nancy county, Tennessee.
gave him the pictorial and asked for Memphis
paper. He had none, but promised to send me
over one, if he could procure it during the day.
Before parting, remarked that it would bs
well 70 make some agreement about picket fir-
ing, and learned that they had received orders
precisely like ours.
Gen. Garfield, who had the supervision Of
the outposts, called me in; so We again shook
hands and separated. leaving many things nm
said that We would like to have spoken about.
GARFIELD questioned me closely Is to our con-
right. However being fearful that the rebels
might learn something from US if such inter
course Was allowed, he ordered US not to 70 out
again, but to let any rsbelx that wished it to
| come over oil the way. I had reason to regret
this very much, Is in the afternoon my friend,
the Doctor, came half way with the promised
paper. We gave him to understand that it was
against our orders to leave the post, and if he
would como al the way We would do him no
harm. he said he had very late paper, but
could not be induced to come farther than the
neutral ground, and returned, much to our dis
appointment. a5
After the interview of the morning all appre-
hension from danger from bullets from either
side Was ct IN end, and the sentinsls Of both
sides psced their beats without % much a.
thinking to seek cover On the divisions to
the right and LETT occasional firing was kept up
day and night, but We dill not fire gun.
In the afternoon there was quite skirmisb
with Popes picksts. cannon being brought in
to requisision. 1t did not disturb the friendly
posts, which on either hand congregated in
groups st the best places for overlooking the
country, vainly endeavoring to get glimpse Of
the sport.
About sunset . flag Of truce, with half dog
On csvalrymsn, an ambulance and . wagon,
went over from the Government side, and was
met BY three butternut gentlemen; and after
| giving over the wounded or dead, Il was moi
nesr enough to tell which, returned.
At night never were picksts 90 vigilant q
We, and every possible precaution Was taken
to guard against surprise; but not . shot ex.
changed. fact which shows that the men Of
both we're soldiers used to service, for green
picket ON such . dark night would not fail t.
confgurs out of the stumps and twigs ct l.as,
one steashily, creeping rebel or patriot.
BY the sound Of the drums, We must have
been nearer the enemy . camp than our own
They kept up tremendous racket with theil
tattoo, and could even distinguish every mot,
Of the Marsellaise which was played BY . bras,
band. Their buglss sounded the same revill,
- our own. But all night there appeared {,
b such commotios in their camps o. to lssl
No to surmise IN svacuation--ther railroad carr
rumbling, the locomotive bell ringing, wagon,
rafting and the buss Of many men stirring
Os2 TsooSs DEsf.oYuo jar. DAyns Pso
rssrv. The vicksbury (Miss) Citlssn, Of Na,
Esd, ssys: s .ssS - -
| Our scouting parties havs thus effected bu
very little h harrassinG The enemy. Ia lisu
] skifmlsh % Monday tSsy sucessdsd n wound
ing i've Yankses, bat We alao had one Of OF,