The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-07-14
Carr South OF CoRrHrH,
july 7th. 1869.

I
July 7th, 1869.
Ed. GATE CRY We are in the woods,
and no ideas come to US from any source.
Every day is like Sabbath among Chris
tians. Here are our tents, our stores and
our sick. Nothing disturbs the quiet, ex-
cept the drum taps, calling the men to an
informal parade, dinner or retirement
On but one occasion, since we came here,
have we been called on to bury dead
man, and but on the one occasion have
our muskets poured forth volleys to re-
mind US of departed soldier. Philip
Woodmansy, of Lee county, rests near
large oak, close to our camp. The day
after he died letter was received from
his father full of directions as to his du-
ties, health, DC. War has taken son
from his father, not to be again seen by
him until the final trumpet wakes the
sleeping dead. While We have been thus
fortunate, we are compelled almost daily
to listen to those volleys fired over the
grave Of one of the Minnesota 4th or the
Illinois Seth, our neighbors. The sound
has become almost painful A certain
King in ancient times required a servant
to tell him every day that he was mortal.
Were he here, he would be advised once,
twice or thrice each day of his mortality
by the evidence of the death of soldier,
formed like King.
The regiment is four miles from Rienzi.
An effort is making to have it returned
here. where we have splendid camp and
plenty of water for all purposes. 1t was
mustered for pay on the LIST Of July, and
will be paid soon. It was first marched
to Ripley, near Holly Springs, and sud
denly back to Rienzi to meet rebel force
approaching from the South. The force
was driven back by cavalry. 1t was ru-
mored to-day that we were to go to Rich
mond to join Gen. Pope, but camp ru-
mors are generally camp lies. IF man
believes one in thousand, he is loo cred
ulous, The disaster to Gen. Mcclellan
may take part Of the Western army to
Virginia. 1t is very singular that our
Generals believed Beauregard to be near
US until the Richmond papers told Of his
presence there with sc, 900 Of his men,
Our Generals have been badly deceived.
Oorinth was failure, and go. 600 prison
ers were not taken. The idea of feeding
the rebels is prcposterous. All the men
and women now on their farms in Tisho-
mingo county, with very few exceptions,
have been openly, and are now secretly,
rebels. The men talk Attle Union, but
the women fairly grit their teeth at Fed
eral soldier. Instead of feeding rebels,
we ought to subsist our men and forage
cur horses on rebel products. Feed our
soldiers and children at home. Thirteen
dollars month will not do for large
family. Do not waste the energies and
means Of loyal people on desperadoes.
whether men or women. The rebel army
is now eating its way South. 1t exhaust
ed the fields from Ripley on. Husbands
and sons from this vicinity are in that
army as matter of choice. We feed
their wives and children; or If they have
a grain field, potato patch. or cotton
press, we place guard over it. This
whole policy must be changed. ssHe that
sows to the wind must reap the wh;rl-
wind" They that have deliberately in
stituted this war should be compelled to
feel its deepest plough-share. Il is nom
sense to talk about an enemy starving
while We suffer wives, children and ne.
groes to cover hitherto cotton fields with
corn and potatoes at the dictation of jeff.
Davis, and while. in the absence of the
lords of manors, we parcel out our army
to guard these crops.
Gen. Jere. G. Sullivan is very popular
with his brigade. He is an excellent Of
hcer, severe in discipline, but kind and
attentive tosll