The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-04-05
Florida Abandoned by the Confederate
Government-Panlc and DesIltution
among the Rebels.

From the Boston Journal.
1t is not often that a rebel letter which falls
into the possession Of our advancing armies,
contains more news or gives more vivid des-
cription of the state of affairs in rebeldom than
the following. This letter obtained at Jack
sonville, by an officer in Commodore Dupont's
squadron, who forwarded it to a friend in this
city 1t will be seen that the writer, notwith-
standing Florida has been entirely abandoned
by the Confederate Government, according to
his statement, still hugs the fond delusion that
the rebel cause will succeed, and that Florida
will again be linked to the Southern Confeder-
acy by negotiation:
MULBERRY GROVE, March /.
My DEAR SISTER: l expect by this time
you have the letter wrote Buddie q few days
ago. Here am, almost at n loss what to do
next. l came up from town last night with
boat load of our negroes. Since the attack and
capture Of Fernandipa, the Confederate Gov
ernment has seen fit to abandon East Florida;
and yesterday an order came from the Secre
tary of War for the Confederate troops to aban-
don the whole of Florida, and every troop in
the State, together with all the cannon, arms,
ammunition, stores, &C., are being removed,
working day and night to do it before the Fed
erals get entire possession of the State. Our
Government has signiied its inability to hold
Florida, and therefore the troops here have
gone to assist in breaking the Gordon from the
Cumberland river in Tennessee to the Chatta-
hottie river, and there is still the additional
number of 2, 600 called for from the State by
the Government; but the men will not enlist
now, as the Government gives US no aid, and
expects every man in this State to leave his
home and interest, and go and fight abrord.
1t hns been blowing gale for the past three
days from the West, which has blown all the
water out of the river and prevented the enc
my from coming over the bar; but we will see
them here as soon as the wind changes. The
Town Council and all the military heads of the
militia (for we have no Confederate troops now
met yesterday and concluded to quietly submit
to the yoke or destiny that may await us, as
We have neither men, arms nor ammunition.
The Federal Congress has passed bill COM
manding the heads of their military not to re-.
turn or send to their former owners any slave
who may come to them, unless such slave re-
turns of his own free will, If they continue
to execute this law, as It's said they have done
at Fernandna, our negroes may be lost; but
have most Of them here, and will wait until
see what they do with those they get in jack
sonville. If there be any danger, then will
start wagon to carry the women and children
that can't walk, the men walking, and go from
here to Orange Springs, and stop there, if the
| enemy do not intend to 60 in the interior. but
| if they do, then will go on South to the Ever
| glades, where my cattle are, and l can get
something to feed them with and keep them
there until it be safe to remove them. l have
but twenty eight dollars in pocket, and know
I will have to beg provisions before get there.
! am going with our negroes whence take
them. as they are my and your and all of us
/ only resource for living.
The postmaster is going to leave Jackson
vile, and presume the mails will soon be in
the hands of the Federals, and no telling when
you will hear from me again; but will con-
tinue to write as long as can. The only
money that presume can get is some uncl.
John owes me about 800, and this will send
you soon if he will pay me; but if l ara no,
able to send it, show this letter to uncle, ant
tell him beg him to provide all things 70,
you there until am free from this bondage
Keep an account Of expenditures, and l viii
pay him back every dollar with interest.
A scene Of the widest confusion exists here
Masters are running and leaving their negroes
with no one to look after them. ! have takei
the wives OF two or three of our men, to keel
them content and prevent their running bacl
should start. All through the interior tn
lines Of the railroads are thronged with tn
refugees and bread is sold to them at 81 pc
loaf. Some Of them have no place to 60, an,
are starving in the woods. have some cor
here, and win make them catch fish for meat
as have NO money to buy with. Some ten o
twelve families are all that are left in Jackson
vile. II was able or had the means to ge
out Of this State, should do il forthwith, bu
have not do not think We will be unde
the Confederate Government again until afte
peace is made, and then ! hope the other Con
federate States may get'us back from the Unite
States by treaty.
have written in haste, but tried to sta
what intend doing. Much love to oil II
household. God keep you al for his sake unit
, Get to You.
J, Tho Potomac forces are advancing slowl
4 but they are leaving rebels in their rear, WI
o are numbering our men, putting obstruction
% on the railroads, &c. Fairfax appears to
the headqusrtsrs OF these traitors. The arm
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