The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-11-22


General Negley, 10 Pennsylvania Brigsdier,
who was left last spring at Columbus to guard
the rear of both Mitchell and Buell., moving d.
versely to Shiloh and Huntsville. When Bragg
6anked this city and it Was determined to fall
back to Kentucky, Negley was called in by Buell.,
complimented for his efficiency in keeping open
the rear, and assigned to the command Of q d.
vision. Gen. Buell. was fully aware that Negley
held AID followed almost the opposite of bis views
in regard to the treatment OF slaves and other
property of rebele. General Negley had, much
to the dissatisfaction Of General Buell. Instituted
the now prevailing system of using slaves as
teamsters. no ~ IT.
This innovation, remember, was strongly
condemned by many prominent officers OF the
army but IL is now seen that Gen. N. but led,
instead Of following public opinion. tits to be
inferred from the fact Of Gen. Buells dislike to
the political views of Gen. Negley that bis crea.
ton Of division for him and bis assignment to
the command of this very important position,
was q compliment due to Negly for the sdmira-
BILE conduct at Columbia, which Gen Buell. had
taken occasion to speak Of in high terms Gen.
Negley came into charge of the city about the
9th Of September. He had five days rations
for the two divisions, and both of which he
commanded, as the senior of Gen. Palmer com
mending the other, the FIRST division of the ar
my of the Mississippi. The scanty supply OF
rations indicated early the necessity of looking
about him for source Of supply; and Negley
saw that he had to depend upon the country for
it. The period for which the supply was to be
continued was indefinite enough, and the pres.
ent appearance of the country in this vicinity,
indicates that bad it been extended few weeks
longer that supply would not have suficed for
his command. At the beginning the men we're
placed on half ratiops, and the prospect looked
dreary enough. 1t would puzzle the Commits.
sary at this day to tell how the men have been
supplied. He states that be only knows that it
has been doue, and certainly Uncle Sam can.
not grumble at the bill which is to be presented
as "Old Secesh" has had to foot it. This coun.
try, for fifteen miles around the city, has been
stripped. Immense forage traine, miles in ex
tent, have been dispatched enthusiastically,
with entire brigades for guards. Forging has
beer pursued under difficulties, it often hap
pening that the guards had to fight with the re-
bells for the possession Of the forage, and then
with the element Of FIRE as to who should con-
sumo it, As the natural result of being shut
off from supplies, the citizens soon began to
want for the necessaries Of life. The rebels al.
lowed nothing whatever to be brought in by the
countrymen, probably hoping thus to force Neg
lev, through humanity, to allow the citizens to
20 beyond the lines in search of what they
needed. But Negley told them that he would
permit anything to be brought into them, but
they should not 20 for it. The "short ration
system" among the citizens soon began to reveal
it's effects in curious and comical features Ho
tel proprietors we're forced to inform their boar.
ders that the pickets drank their milk, and ate
their butter and cheese; that fresh beef was q
luxury intended only for the military gentlemen,
| ~, ~ no hovo IN
close his doors. When few market men ap-
peared in the market house, it was to find the
place besieged by half-famished citizens, who
| paid any price for provisions. The social board
| in many families, was dressed but twice q day,
and then scantiIy. Starvation ard stagnation
stared them in the face.
| The principal duty assigned to General Negley
was the completion, at an early day, of the
works of defense for the city. Those being
constructed by Captain Morton were on an ex'
tensive scale. and highly important. Negley is
a man of energy. He Immediately seized two
thousand negroes, constituted them into regi-
ments-actual colored regiments-gave them
quarters to themselves, and put them to work
vigorously at the Notifications. These regiments
of laborers are regularly constituted, as regards
discipline, and commanded and differed BY the
more intelligent men to be found amongst them.
Their efficiency has been thoroughly tested, and
it has been satisfactorily ascertained that twice
the amount of such labor can be got out oil
them as can be forced from the same number Of
detailed soldiers. In addition to the extensive
forts the main avenues were barricaded, and IN.
der the supervision of Negley, the city was
made impregnable to cavalry dsshes. Fourteen
of the heavy guns left here spiked by the enemy,
have been unspiked and mounted in differen,
or No ost do
visesble through the ingenuity of Captain E.
Townsend, 18th O. S. Infantry, ordnance officer
in Gen Negley's staff Besides the other de-
lenses, Gen. Negley built gunboat of such
light draft, that it can be used in the present
stage of water 1t mounts two guns and il
named in honor Of Major W. H. Sidell, Genera
Buelps A A. A. g., who commanded here wheI
Buell. weot North. II is under the command o
Lieut. Van Dorr, 69.h Ohio.
i You have already had accounts of the affairs
of Lagrange and Goodlettsville. These sallies
as they may be called, were the few which
reached you, Of many similar expeditions. Gen
Negley appears to have thought that the way tt
, fight guerrilas was to Guido them in energy ant
to strike them at every opportunity. He ha
, kept his cavalry continually on the alert, ant
has attacked and routed dozen different bands
The attack Of the rebels on the 9Th you hav
, had full accounts of, and need not relate i
again. 1t is now evident that the attack 0
; Breckenridge was feint to draw attention t.
the Southern part of the town, while Morgan
attempted to burn the railroad brige across tn
! Cumberland. His force succeeded in reachin
the bridge, but was driven back by a couple Q
companies near by. He had the sublime impu
/ dence to send in flag of truce during the 6gh
to ask for an exchange of prisoners. Negle
replied that at proper time he would be at
, tended to.
pleasant, but it is now thought, prematur
rumor, that Gen. Negley had been promoted fc
his conduct here, elected considerable commer
in the city last evening, and found e1celler
opportunities for hearing his general condut
spoken of. Among the citizens it is difficult I
e say how he is liked. l cannot say that be hs
, added to the number of Union men, but it
: certain that he has smothered dsafection an
. disoyalty. think that the latter has been Ii