The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-03-07
Army Correspondence. !
CANp NEAR VrcKsBtkG, -
Eebruary 20. 1868.

February 20, 1868. :
EplroR HAWK EYE-Sl !. If you are not over,
stocked with communications from the 2otn,
few items from me may not be uninteresting "
your readers.
We have had mud and rain sufficient dnr1ing
the last ten days, to satisfy the most xoro'.ah'
desires Of the amphibious tribe, by which We are
SUR ounded, and the melodious {? concert WINCH
has greeted our ears aud laed US to sleep, from
thu tproats of their frogships, has attes'ed most
completely their enjoyment of the glorious
weather But yesterday morning the music
ceased, the sun rose in all his glory, and nature
took another and more beautiful aspect. The
mud is fast drying up, and the vast army lying en-
camped here in front Of the Southern Gibralter,
is in the most ubilant spirits, and only waits the
order to advance, before taking up its abode in
the hostile city; and we are confident that ere
many days the Stars and Stripes will float from
her Hottest dome. One can reach point on
this side of the river, within one and three quar-
ter miles of the city. Looking from this point
through field glass, no sign of life appears IN
the place. The streets are deserted and silent
as death; bnt the sentinel on the forte and RAM
parts topping the bluffs above and below town,
still treads bis beat, and the occasional shot
from their guns shows that they are still in poF'
session. Yesterday one of our mortar boats
dropped down TO within two miles of the place,
and opened on the works. They fred long time
without receiving response, but finally, when
large crowd Of our soldiers had been attracted
to within range, to watch the fun, the ''rebs" let
Ry several shells at them. Fortunately, no one
was hurt, the shells bursting in the air; but the
boys, suddenly remembering that they had some
thing to do in camp, left that vicinity, leaving
the Fort and Mortar Boat TO amuse each o:her
after their own fashion. .
The health of the camp has been poor, and
disease has invaded our ranks to trightful de-
gree; but the genial air of Spring, which now
surrounds us, is fast reviving the strength and
spirits of the dropping invalid, and bids fair to
ell our ranks once more with rudy cheeks and
muscular arms.
Every soldier in the vast army lying here
seems to feel the vast importance of the ap>
preaching battle, and to realize the eno'mouE
effect that our success or failure here must have
on the country at large, and every soldier thai
musters beneath the Old Flag before Vicksburg
is determined that Vicksburg shall fall; and
whenever such men, with such spirit, advance
to the fight, you may rest assured that something
will be done, and that somebody will be hurt
The people of the Northwest need not fear bu'
that their honor is placed in safe keeping. The
people of the noble Hawk-Eys State need moi
fear that they will be disgraced, for the brown
and weather.beaten soldiers of Iowa still have
farms to strike and souls do dare" Cheer up
cheer up you disconsolate ones; don't repeat
the oft reiterated phrase, "We can never whip
| them" / tell you, we can whip them if you
will only let us alone. Don't write such dolefu
letters to your soldier friends; just wait awhile
be patient and let the army work. Surely, five
can stand the hsrdships, the disease and the
dangers of camp and field, you, in your homes,
| by your comfortable fresides, should not grum'
BILE. But shall say no more save THE: vii
venture the prediction that not many days afte'
the reception of this communication, the tele
graph wires will bear you the news of the fall
| vicksbnrg Wesley 9. fOBbS'
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