The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-06-21
From Corinth.
In CAMP NEAR CoRlNTH, Miss. J
June 9, 1862. {
Mr.. j. Z. GILLESPIE

June 9, 1862
Mr.. j. K. GILLESPIE:
Dear Brother-Having some leisure to-
day, will employ it in writing you line.
We are now encamped in wood, upon
the plantation Of rich planter. He is Sc
cesh, and does not deny having aided and
abetted the rebellion acticely and not pas.
sively. When the rebels were here in Co.
rinth he gave them several Of his slaves to
work upon their Notifications and other
drudgery. He lives in style 10 very fine
two story mansion, betokening taste and
wealth in its construction. He Is gentle.
manly looking fellow of course, ana from
certain causes has grown very intimate with
some of our regimental officers-so much so
that he has called at the tents Of some Of
them and walked around camp arms locked
within each other. I need scarce say that
the officers aforesaid have heretofore been
of that particular creed which, at the begin
ming of this war, was suspected, at least, Of
disafsction, If not Of disloya,ty. neei
scarcely say, further, that such conduct has
excited some little conjectures and question
ings in the minds Of other officers and SOL
diers. There are many other things in con-
nection with this treatment of guandam
rebels which has caused some little ill-feeling
among the men, some Of which are that the
men are kept under pery strict rules lest
they should give offense by their being seen
about the mansions of these naJobs. By
strict rules mean such as these: They are
restricted within the narrow limits OF camp
guard, and not allowed out, save they bear
pass from the Brigadier commanding bri
gade, not even to get water or fuel, or to per.
form ether necessary errands. am firm
advocate of strict military discipline, but not
cf petty tyranny. | do not choose to forget,
that at home, the private in the ranks is my
political and social equal. I mean equal in
social privileges and im,nunities. This war
will not endure always, and day of reck-
oning may come. The circumstances in
which we are placed, develop strange char
acters in men which we did not suppose
possible. War has the power Of the touch
stone to bring out character and develop hid.
den secrets. It is an excellent place to test
mans manhood, and his metal, shall say ?
The man whom common fame called calor-
ous at home, proves to be craren coward,
and when real danger stares him in the face
his knees srhote together, and he quails like
coward cur do not choose to be person
al, but might give living illustrations of
what say, None can be called truly brave
but he who has fully realized his position
and looks calmly at dangers darkest frown
The who has counted the cost coolly, and
nerved his heart sternly to the task.
Perhaps you would like to hear something
Of the physical aspects of this section of
country. l wish I were better able to tell
you, but the strictness Of military will not
permit one to go about making observations.
Our situation is mile south Of Corinth. =
We arrived here from our former position,
three miles beyond, on the 9th inst. To see
the just now famous city, which was expect
ed to be the scene of the greatest conflict Of
time almost, and perhaps, the death blow of
the rebellion, we were all anxious, mean
we who had not already seen it, for scarcely
had the rebels taken their TASTY departure,
ere many of our interpreting and curiosity
seeking yankees were in it and peering into
its hidden secrets, gathering relics to carry
home or send to their friends and relatives.
Their works were ola strong nature both
by natural position and by six weeks labor
in construction. Heavy timb-r has been
felled in front to prevent approaches, and
long or wide swamp lay immediately in front
Of their works, or rather the center Of the
same. The city itself may have once con-
tanned two thousand inhabitants, but of
course it does not now. There are many
fine buildings in it, and many pleasant resi-
dences, betokening taste, culture and care.
1t is too much scattered, however, to present
a good appearance-too much mixed with
shabby cabins and huts. 1t has favorable
situation for trade as it is the junction Of
two important railroads. 1t may have pre-
sented livelier appearance once, but the
rebels burned almost all the large ware
houses and railroad buildings, and it now
looks lone and deserted; no business, no
happy, contented faces to be seen about the
streets, although perfect order is kept in the
place, and no license allowed to the soldiers.
tbs another illustration of wars desolation'
in habited country where peace and pros
perity once held their goodly sway. "But
We yourselves did it, and you must bear the
burden Of your own wrong" 1t will take
many years for this country to recover its
former prosperity, and heal the deep wounds
that have been inflicted upon It. The soil
is Of very poor quality, compared with
Iowa loan. The country generally here is
broken and billy, like all timbered countries.
1t may be good for cotton, but wheat and
corn thrive but very i'll. Harvest is now
ready. what little there is; corn is SIX to
eighteen inches high. and looks feeble and
sick:y. As to other crops, have not seen
any.
Further ahead, our way is not opened
presume you know more Of our probable
destiny than we do. Where the rebels are
since their hegira from Corinth, we scarce