The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-03-07
Another Bias, for the Coppeyhead..

Another Blast for the Coppeyheads.
HEADQUARTERS Both Iowa INFANTRY,(
~ Corinth, Miss, Feb 25, 1863.
EDITOR HAWK EYE:-The genial cline Of
the Sunny South''-''the land Of cotton
has oft been expressed in rhyme and praised
in song; but the extravaganza of the poet can
only be realized by those who have had.ths
infinite qualification of enjoying winter down
in Mississippi. All the fanciful dreams which
had been wrought up in my imagination, by
reading such glowing descriptions of the eli
mate, have been dispelled by the short expert.
ence have already had. For the last six
weeks the weather has been about as unplea.
SAINT as man could well imagine. think
do not exaggerate in the least when say that,
during that time, ii has rained fully one-third
Of the time. Occasionally we have had a snow
storm, the snow sometimes falling to the depth
of three or four inches, but generally remain.
ing on the ground but few days. The storms
are usually accompanied by damp chilly
wind from the north west, which makes it
very disagreeable indeed. Those who have
been reared in northern climate would great.
ly prefer the cold, frosty winters Of Iowa to
such as they experience down here
Military matters, in the district of Corinth,
remain in statu quo. Nothing has transpired
since last wrote you, worthy of special men,
tion-although it was persistently asserted
that Van Dorm was collecting his forces for
raid upon this place, and thence up through
West Tennessee. But, up to this time, no,h
ing has transpired to warrant.suc belief; al.
though parties of rebel cavalry occasionally
advance pretty close to our lines, yet they do
not appear to be in any considerable force
Their object, doubtless, is to scour the country
and force into their ranks any persons that yet
remain who are able to bear arms The Wig
orous manner in which the corscript act is
being enforced is driving out every man who
has the least spark of Union sentiment burn.
ing in his bosom, that can possibly reach orr
lines Several companies of this class Of refu:.
gees are now formed here and their ranks are
daily increasing. They will, doubtless, be of
good service to the command, as, from their
thorough knowledge of the country and its in.
habitants, they will be enabled to obtain in
formation of the rebels that would not reach
US in any other way. Their families, eener{s
ally, are in destitute condition, and are
wholly dependent upon the government fof
support. The detected countenances of the
women and children, and their emacia,ed
forms, show but too plainly the sutferings, tri..
ais and privations they have undergone. They
have been driven from their homes, robbed #
all their property, and, in many cases, forced
to seek refuge in the forest to avoid being De.
tected by their relentless pursuers; and their
only crime was, sacred adherence to thsss'
Union which had protected them from then
childhood, and devotion to its starry flag
When, o when! will rebels receive their just
deserts? a, s@#-.7 a-
An effort is being made to organize negro =,
regiment here, and one or two companies r
believe, have already been enlisted. Iii sait
they make great proficiency in drill, and are
very apt in acquiring uniformity of move
ment,s see no reason why they would no
make good soldiers. But, at the same time
would not regard it as an act of wisdom on the
part of the government to rely upon negro SOL
diers, IN future, to crush out this rebellion
Let the work of filing up the decimated rank, y
OF the old regiments be commenced, and evss"
preparation made for bringing the war to
speedy close, without regard to the negro reg
iments that may be organized. / trust, al
believe, however, that they Caa be made usei0 n
in the army, and powerful auxiliary in the 3
hands OF the government in accomplishing u
desired end. There is little danger in makls
too great preparation, and every principle
humanity requires that the government shou'
make every effort in its power to end the uni