The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-05-28
WIN. II. SEWARD, Secy Of State.
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE

PITTsBURo, Tenn, May IL, go.
FRIEND BARNS: Surprising that your
self and the readers of the News feel in
terested in anything that pertains to this
section of our country, | will endeavor to
give you a description of the country bor-
dering on the Tennessee River and of the
Ohio, from its mouth to Paducah. The
Mississippi, Ohio and all the Rivers emp
tying into them in this section have been
unusually high. Cairo came very near
being inundated. The water in many
places Was higher than the levec, and it
required strong force to keep it from
overlooking the town.
The first thing that attracted my at
tention, on going up the Ohio, was the
suffering of the animals along the shore.
They had been left by their owners, in
most cases, to take care of themselves,
and they were doing the best they knew
how. Wherever there was high knoll
there they would all be congregated-
horses, cattle, sheep and swine altogeth-
or. In one or two instances the Planters
had their whole stock on scows. After
We got into the Tennessee the effect of
the flood was not so disastrous. The
shores of the river are higher. To per
son that has never had description Of
tho valley of the Tennessee, in travelling
up it would be'agreeably surprised, and if
they enjoy scenery they would be well
paid for their time and expenses.
From Paducah to Pttsburg Landing,
distance of two hundred and sixty miles,
there is scarcely an acre of waste or poor
land; and the best land in our pleasant
Grand River Valley is not any better
But traveller up this beautiful stream
can not help seeing the misery that has
been produced by this unnatural rebellion.
There is probably not one house out of
four that is occupied, and they are occu-
pied by those that had not the means to
get away. Ifthey were secessionists they
were not safe. If they were unionists
they were not safe. Wherever we saw
an nhabitant left he did not act rs if he
was at home, but appeared detected and
d;sheartened. All business is suspended.
There is not a store open along the river.
Any person, with a spark of human feel
ing about him, can not help having a
feeling of gloom come over him amid
these dcsolations.
If the instigators of this rebellion cold
see and realize the suffering they have
produced they could not feel very comfort
able, that is, if they possess souls, or have
any feeling for their fellowbeings. II
our Representatives in Congress would
turn out en- masse to visit Pittsburg, as
they did at Bull Run, it would be ben
eft to us, for they would have chance
to see what sectional feeling has cost our
once happy and prosperous country. If
we had been truly represented by nation
al men, North and South, two years ago,
we should have been spared the immense
sacrifice of life that has attended the ar
my Of the government. When the South
made their boast that "the climate here
would fight their battles" we did not pay
any attention to it, but il is likely to prove
as formidable an antagonist as they rep
resented.
The soldiers appear to feel in good spir-
its, and anxious for an engagement with
the rebels-for they think they will de-
feat them and thus do away with the ne
cessity of so large an army here. Gen.
HALLEoK appears to have the confidence
of the army, and he is entitled to it, if
prudence and necessary caution is mark
Of n good officer.
1t is difficult to form any opinion Of the