The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-05
From the Stll Cavalry.

FCAMf NEAR NASHVILLE, NOV. ~, 1865.
DEAR HAwK-EYE:-I feel that owe an
apology to all the world, Except Kentuc-
ky,) and I don't know how to make it more
publicly than through your columns.
In my younger days when / used to read
the life OF Boone, and other similar works,
1 became possessed of the idea that Ken
lucky was the Garden of the world, sort
OF Elysium where weary man having tired
of the world might retire, and in the plea
sure 1t afforded forget he was mortal.
l was much pleased with the idea of march
ing across the State, for then l thought I
will have an opportunity of beholding all
its beautles-but shades of poverty and in
dolence, my early dream has vanished,
and want 10 apologize to all the balance
of the world for doing it so great an injus-
tice; for it seems impossible that there
should be more miserable God-forsaken
looking country than the State of kentuc-
Ky. Slavery by its enervating influence
has caused this, and it seems to me that
Northern industry, enterprise and ingen-
uity would soon e7atitte Kentucky to the
reputation which she now undoubtedly
has. ..-.
We arrived at this place on the 18th, and
will perhaps remain some days. One bat
talon left this Observation-Disclosures un-
known-and the balance of the Regiment
are waiting for arms. AS soon as we re-
ceive them we will leave tor the scene OF
more active duty.
Nashville has a reputation for beauty
which it does not deserve. In the first place
it is terribly billy, and the streets are ex-
tremely narrow and in places entirely des-
titute OF sidewalks. Judging from the
architecture of the buildings should think
they were erected soon after Noah's Ark
touched land, and that they used that ven
cradle structure for building timber. The
State House is noble exception to this
general rule, and is an honor to the place.
From it you have magnificent view OF
the country for many miles in all direc-
lions. But when you say this, you have
praised Nashville all it deserves. The in
habitants are even worse than the town
for majority of them are rampant seces-
sionists, and indeed that is the sentiment
Of good proportion fthe people we have
seen.
Judging from this one might think that
it would yet be long time before the war
closes, but judging from what have seen
and heard am forced to believe the war
must soon close. This has been written so
often that it has ceased to attract any
attention, but I think time will prove that
such is the case. don't know that we will
have any brilliant or decisive victories
but the South will be starred out. The
restitution of the country through which
we have passed is surprising. I have seen
more grain and stock on one farm in old
Des Moines County than I saw between
Louisville and Nashville. Some will con
slider this exaggeration, but it is literally
true. They are sending the cavalry from
the front because it is impossible to fur.
nish forage; and the men are on three
quarter rations. Even here, where we have
railroad communication with the North,
we have not been able to obtain even
half-rations for our horses. Now such is
the condition Of affairs with our army,
when we have all the resources of the
North to fall back on. Both armies are
living off of the South. The war has al.
ready exhausted their resources-and then
all the able-bodied men are away in the
army. Their negroes are leaving them by
thousands-all are consumers, and no pro.
ducers. Now can this last long? 1t is ar
utter impossibility.
While on the march I have frequently
wished we could have had some of those
individuals with us who would furnish ''no
more men and no more money" to carry
on the war. 1t is for us to say whether
the closing struggles of rebellion shall
take place here in the South or whether
We will allow our State to feel the crush
ing weight of the devastating foot of war
No one can realize the horrors of war until
he has followed its track. For miles we
have travelled with nothing to disturb the
monotony Of the scenery--but here and
there the remains Of what was once the