The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-12
From Arkansas.
LITTLE Rock, AK. No

81. III.
The mission of the Army of Arkansas
seems to be to occupy and stay. The rapid
advance OF DavidsOns cavalry from Mis-
souri,, and OF Steele's infantry from HeIe-
ma, terminated in brilliant and successful
dash on Little Rock, since which time
convenience than urgency. Regiments of
cavalry and infantry have gone out to Sc
cure Important places lying two days.
march distant, and general feeling of Sc
curity seems to pervade the army. Con.
nection with Devol's Bluff, the supply de-
pot on White River, is kept up both by
railway and by frequent wagon trains.
both well guarded. An attempt to replace
the telegraph wire between these same
points, believe, is carried through, altho'
the liability of the line to interference BY
dlsorderly hands must render its utility
uouotIul. Ihere are occasional reports Of
the presence of guerrillas.
A week ago, an attack suddenly made at
Pine Bluffs, some forty miles distant, by
zen. Marmaduke, with 1000 mounted
men, was calamity met by the 9Th Kansas
and LIST Indiana cavalry, who at first fell
back into the Public Square, and there con-
solidating, checked further advance, and
eventually drove back the enemy with Sc
we're loss. This, together with raid made
on small wagon train on the way to Ben
ION, 1mperfectly guarded, by which we lost
several wagons with their loads of clothing.
are all the moving adventures in the field
that nave occurred lately. Within week
the work OF protecting the city against any
formidable advance from the southwark.
has been commenced. Large details of
men are erecting a fort covering an area of
two acres, which it is said will well COM
mana the more open approaches. 1t is
quite possible that if we lie here quietly
until goodly supply of food and clothing
mas been gathered, that some enterprising
hn 70 20 1r,,1 Az
starved and naked rebels this way. There
is some probability OF fight, therefore, at
some time in the future. Similar induce
lhonts brought an attack on Helena, and
an equally successful movement might be
made here.
Col. Busy of the Sd Iowa Cavalry has
arrived from visit home, and for few
days and until the return OF Gen. Davidson
from st. Louis, was in command of the
Cavalry Division. The Colonel has the
reputation of being good officer, and to
many ltis question of interest to what
adverse circumstance is to be attributed
the fact that he is still Colonel,
Gen. Samuel A. Rice of Iowa, both as
Colonel, commanding a Brigade at the
Holena battle, and as Chief OF the Sd Divi-
sion on the Arkansas Expedition. has won
Tor himself high reputation in this army.
NO o1hcer Is more generally respected and
SO universally beloved. The appointment
OF Brigadier General conferred on him was
a tribute of respect for his military worth
that met the hearty approval of every Off
Ger and soldier OF his command. AS pro-
motion unsolicited on his part and made,
as was understood by him and his militia
Hry associates, without reference to his for
mer position as leading citizen of Iowa,
1t was regarded as the beginning of a new
era in army appointments, in which wor-
thy deeds in the field, rather than political
influence at home would give position. 1t
is with surprise therefore that some of us
have learned that certain politicians at
home claim the merit of his appointment
and have assumed to say that ii was by
their representations and Influence at
Washington that the promotion was Sc
cured. Gen. Rice will not be satisfied with
an advancement based on any such influ-
ence, nor will he consent to hold a COM
mission, the acceptance of which under
such circumstances might be supposed to
interfere with the promotion of some Off
Ger longer in the field, and therefore more
entitled TO the distinction. 1t is feared
therefore that the General, influenced by
such considerations and FESTIVE under any
insinuations prejudicial to his character
as soldier and an honorable man, may
resign and leave the army. Such result
would be universally regretted here and
would deprive the service of an officer that
cannot well be spared.
LIZ SSiSl ut iCstttii mere 5DOu anu tut
Iowa Regiments t33d, Both and 29thJ in this
Division are in condition for any hard
work the service requires. Recruiting
parties are now being sent ON behalf OF
these Regiments to iowa, aud it is to be
hoped their numbers will readily be filed
to the maximum.
Recruiting for Arkansas Regiments
(white) is quite lively. Two Regiments
are nearly filed. The course pursued by
Gen. Steele toward this people is very con-
ciliatory. An almost unrestricted inter-
course is allowed between town and coun-
try. and citizens are encouraged in every
peaceful enterprise. Little Rock is rapidly
tilling up with Jews and wandering ira
klers. Fortunes will be made here by men
whose whole interest in this war is init
mately allied with the pocket. There are
scores of young men here as clerks and
traders who would make very good marks
for disease and the bullet-qnite as good at
least as those now in the ranks.
The election returns are received gladly
by our Regiments. 1t is indeed glorious
result.
p HO(lrstF : A<rH7ea VpTrNTEER