The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-23
CORPS D'AFRIQUE.-HEADQUA De-
p A RTN EMIT OF THE GUJ,F 10Th ARMY CORPS,

CORPS D'AFRIQUE.-HEADQUA De-
PARTMENT OF THE GULF, 10Th ARMY CORPS,
Opelousas, May l, 1868. - GENERAL Or
DERs No. 40.-The Major-General COM
manding the Department proposes the or
ganization of q Corps d'Armee of colored
troops, to be designated as the corps a.
Antique. 1t will consist ultimately OF eight.
cen regiments, representing all arms OF
the service-infantry, artillery and cavalry
making nine brigades of two regiments
each, with appropriate corps of engineers
and fiying-hospitals for each brigade. APP
propriate uniforms, and the gradations OF
pay to correspond with the value of service
will be hereafter awarded.
In the field the efficiency of every corps
depends upon the inflence Of it's officers up
on the troops engaged, and the practical
limits OF one direct command is generally
estimated at one thousand men. The most
eminent military historians, among others
Theirs and Cambray, express the opinion
upon full review of the elements of mill
tary power, that the valor of the soldier is
rather acquired than natural. Nations
whose individual heroism is undisputed,
have failed as soldiers in the field.
With race unaccustomed to military
service, much more depends on the imme-
date influence of officers upon individual
members, than with those that have acqui-
red more or less of warlike habits and
spirit by centuries Of contest. 1t is deemed
best, therefore, in the organization of the
Corps d. Antique, to limit the regiments to
the smallest number of men consistent
with efficient service in the field, in order
to secure the most thorough instruction
and discipline, and the largest influence of
the officers over the troops, and that they
be limited to five hundred men. The av-
erage Of American regiments is less than
that number. .. ills
The Commanding General desires to de-
tail for temporary or permanent duty the
best officers of the army for he organiza-
ton, instruction, and discipline of this
corps. With their aid he is confident that
the corps viii render important service to
the Government. It is not established
upon any dogma of equality or other theo-
ry, but as practical and sensible matter
of business. The Government makes use
of mules, horses, uneducated and educated
white men in defense of its institutions
Why should not the negro contribute what
ever is in his power for the cause in which
he is as deeply interested as other MEM
We may properly demand from him what
ever service he can render.
The chief defect in organizations of this
character has arisen from incorrect ideas of
the officers in command. Their discipline
has been lax, and in some cases the conduct
OF their regiments unsatisfactory and dis
creditable. Controversies unnecessary and
injurious to the service have arisen be-
tween them and other troops. The organi-
cation proposed will reconcile and avoid
many of these troubles.
Officers and soldiers will consider the eX-
igencies of the service in this Department,
and the absolute necessity of appropriating
every element of power to the support OF
the Government. The prejudices or opin-
ions of men are in no wise involved. The
cooperation and active support of all Off
GERS and men, and the nomination OF tit
men from the ranks, and from the lists of
non-commissioned and commissioned Off
GERS, are respectfully solicited from the
Generals commanding the respective divis-
ions. BY command of Maj. Gen. Banks.
RICHARD b. IRWIN, A. A. Gen'l.
Four MEN SURPRISE TwENTYEIGHT
RHINESTONE of the most daring and sue
cessful exploits of this war was performed
by four men on Saturday night, May l, on
Rock Creek, in Wayne county. Benjamin
Burke, a citizen, Hudson Burke, dis
charged soldier, James Burke, of Woltord's
cavalry, and another citizen named James
Davis, having received intimation of a
band of twenty-eight men, under command
Of Captain Evans, of the famous band OF
rebel robbers that infest Wayne and Gin
ton counties of this State, know as Champ
FergusOn's men, having stopped at the
House of Jonathan Burke to spend the
night, determined to attempt their capture
Four men against twGnty-eight tends who
had revelled in the blood of innocent neigh
bors for a year-think Of il! Itseemed like
madness, yet the attempt was made. Com
ing toa sentinel, who stood watch over their
thrtv-one horses, Davis ordered him to
surrender his gun, which the coward did,
and received in return blow from it that
knocked his brains out. The way was now
clear TO the house, where the remainder of
the party were asleep. Surrounding the
dwelling, they at once raised ahldeous yell,
crying "Wolford, Wolford," at the top Of
their voices. The rebels, awakened by the
noise, supposed at once that Woltord'S cav
airy, whom they dread as they do death,
was upon them, sprang from their beds,
leaving their clothes and guns behind, and
rushed for the doors. Out they rushed,
with nothing on but shirts and drawers
some without the latter even, to take leg
bail. Hudson Burke met Captain Evans
at the door; both fired at the same time
Burk was slightly wounded in the head,
but the infamous Evans was instantly
killed. Four others were slain, the re-
mainder of the party escaping. -. But they
abandoned everything; all their horses,
personal property, guns and several thou
sand dollars in green-backs, in addition to
a considerable amount of Confederate mon
ey. Nothing remained for the victorious
few to do but to gather up the fruits of their
victory; that they divided with William
Milligan, a prisoner that they had released
from the clutches of the marauders.-COr.
Gin. Commercial.
- We have heretofore published the
charge and specifications against Vailan-
digham, in connection with the principal
testimony against him before the Court
Martial. Below we give the finding and
sentence of the Court as made public by
order Of Gen. Burnside:
The Commission, after mature delibera-
ton on the evidence adduced, and the state
ment Of the accused, find the acsused,
Clement L. Vallandigham, a citizen of the
State of Ohio, as follows:
OF the specification Except the words:
"That propositions by which the North
ern States could be won back, and the
Sontb rnaraptapd their rights under the