The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-10-25


With single garment since leaving Macon, Ga.
They are on their way homo, barefooted, bare
headed, half naked, some of them with pieces of
carpet round their loins. What do you think of
that, you tender footed men? TCheers.1 Ishope
you have none here. They will not remain 90
when they hear this people want to make this a
war OF extermination and they will Join in the
effort to put down this rebellion, move forward
the army, never halt, but keep pressing right on.
ward until it is crushed. Immense applause. I
Go to these men, and their comrades who have
been with them and join with them in marching
South again. Let us visit these prisons-ral
ladega, Macon, Montgomery, Misunderstanding
up their railroads. destroying their Notifications
burning their brldges-not houses was re-
ported once as having said, destroy their hous
es." But never will destroy house-over
woman's head-never. Applause But will
take or destroy their Government property and
their Notifications, and hang rebels, God being
my helper. lCheers
did not enter the army for the purpose OF
being promoted. l seek no such promotion.
never asked the government for an Office. If
do not please them will fight anyhow. Now
my friends have not time to stay longer with
you. Cries: go on, 60 on."] have seven
children that l dearly love, who did not know
until arrived in Washington that was alive.
have not heard from them, and want to see
them. Itelegraphed to them that would be
home to morrow, and l will not disappont
them. Cheets stopped here tonight to
tell you how your countrymen had been treated.
| speak the sentiments of every man confined
with me, both Republican and Democrat, when
/ tell you We do not know party organization.
We are going to our homes in this State, and
we will tell the Government, the candidates, and
the voters, how we have been treated. 1t may
be denied in some quarters. care not, we are
determined to tell the truth Here around me
are many of these men, my comrades, Republ.
cons and Democrats, some of whom went South
as apologists for these men. Some Missourians
and shareholders we're with me in prison. We
all came home. Well, call US abolitionists if
you please, or anything else. [Applausel
tell you the slaves in the South that we saw are
better posted than the butter nut gentry Ev-
cry little act of kindness that these men re-
ceiyed were received from slaves. Cheers T.
We have come home ready to use every power
that God hath given US, to put down this rebel
lion. Cheers To take their property, to take
their negroes, to take everything. [Great and
long continued applause.I
How do you think We partook of our food?-
For six months your commissioned officers we're
fed like pigs The provisions were brought in
and put into troughs and then distributed by
them upon the table. Exhibiting small
wooden spoon There, my friends, is my knife
and fork and spoon I shall take it home
Each of US had similar one. l made it. 1t
was that or nothing. When We arrived at For.
tress Monroe the first cup and saucer, and per-
baps the first knife and fork that these gentle
men had used for six months, was furnished by
our venerable relative. Uncle Samuel.
Az to the policy to be pursued those of you
who cannot fight should persuade your young
men to 60 into the army, not expecting to get
fine uniform and new blanket every month,
not waiting for ambulanees, baggage wagons,
not letting your colonies quarrel who.should
have the most baggage-go to fight earnestly
and promptly, that you may break up and crush
this rebellion Two hundred and seventy nine
of your kindred lie buried in the Southern soil,
who died in the prisons of Georgia. Fifteen
out of all the lieutenants who were taken died
for want of attention. This is not pleasant
subject to talk about, and must stop, for now
my time is out. l appeal to every officer that
has been with me, who is present, for the truth
of each and every statement have made. They
may not agree with me politically, but we are
all united in our testimony upon this subject.
We are all of one mind and one heart for our
common country.