The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-01-17
Array correspondence.
CAMP 18th Iowa INFANTRY

l& CAMP 10TH IOWA INFANTRY
HOLLY SPRINGS, Mss, Dec %, 1862
EDITOR HAWK EYE:-Hopipg that few items
of news from the 18th regiment might prove in
teresting to your readers, am induced to pen
you few lines regarding our present wherea-
bouts and condition. so 7s
We are at present encamped in the suburbs
of this beautiful and once fourishing little city
Of Holly Springs, and reports are circulating
throughout the camp that we are to 60 into win
ter quarters at this place and remain here until
spring, unless we are compelled to ''evackyate'
the place by the advance Of the rebel hosts upon
US. But, as such rumors have been prevalent
in every camp where we have yet been, I am
constrained to believe that little Importance can
be attached to the report ta
Well, Christmas has come and gone like many
other Chrismases, Of other years, but was not
enjoyed by the boys in camp as they were be-
fore, although each one did his best to be az
cheerful as though in their quiet homes in the
great North. The day itself was as pleasant az
one could wish; but the boys as they gazed upon
the bare dry ground at their feet, which looked
as though it might have been forever stranger
to saow, could not forbear looking wstfully to
the North, while visions of broad sheets of snow
and ice, and grand sleigh ides and skating par.
| ties, together with turkeys, chicken pies, cakes
and delicacies at home, would seem to fit be-
fore their minds eye. Je-l .a.a- Ola
We have been considerably further south than
this, and at one time, supposed that our great
Western Army was going right on down to the
Gulf, without serious opposition, except perhaps
at jackson, which 1--WE expected would soon be
in our hands. 80
But "a change came Ger the spirit of oul
Dreams" and instead of pressing forward, oul
whole army has suddenly made retrograde
movement, until the rebels are left in peaceful
possession of some of the places captured by III
but month or two ago. What has caused thi
sudden ''change of base" is beyond my means o
kno wing, but of one thing the country may res
assured-a aras grand 'strategie" movement
and the rebels will soon be bsgged-as usual,
suppose. ........ '5.p7 NlsH sa
The health of the regiment is pretty good a
present. and the men are passing their time a
pleasantly as possible, in guarding the propert.
Of rebel citizens in this place, some of whom
were kind enough, during the fight here, tn
other day, to fire few shots from the window
Iof their houses at our men, and who now dem 40,
guards to protect their pig styes and hen roosts
for fear that some of the soldiers, who are nov
living half rations, might catch chicken, an,
thereby exaspe-ate its owner to some dreadful
action il revenge. 1t ia shame to the arm
and toe nation that such proceedings as thes
; should go on in it, but Until the proper authori
ties see fit to remedy tue evil presume the so
J diers will have to bear it. g a3.sfsss IN.
} The boys are al anxious to have the va
ended as soon as possible, but all are willing :
"oide their time" Yours. &C. ss q
NEWTON j. RODGERS, tH
q % LII Co., E, 18th Iowa Infantry.