The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-05
From the sath Iowa.

dearly indicated by Genl Orders, the huc-
tuating fortunes of war suddenly changed
our plan of operations. F,s-,,
Soon after our embark alton, as spoken of
in my last, for Port Hudson, we were pleas
antly surprised by the arrival Of an Ocean
steamer bearing word that reinfOrcements
were no longer needed below, consum-
nation long one of the greatest desires Of
which, many gallant followers Of Mars
struck their last blow for Freedoms cause
Upon the reception of this news, General
Heron directed our course up the Yazoo
river, destination Yazoo City. On the af-
ternoon Of July 18th, the booming of artil-
leryin our van told us we were nearing the
city. After short bombardment from our
gunboats and some wild replys from the
enemy's siege guns, all became quiet. It
was soon apparent that the rebels were
again demonstrating the old saying, that
Southern blood would rum that 1.-The last
ditch had not vet been found.
Late in the afternoon, the gunboat De
Kalb, moved up to take possession, when
she was blown up by torpedo. Generals
Heron and Vandever were on board-her
bow was torn away, but no one injured.
Soon after our infantry, having disem
barked below entered the city, and occu
pied the place; capturing about 800 of the
flying enemy, seven siege guns, few field
pieces, and about 1900 small arms.
The citizens seemed most deeply cha
grined at their evil fortune, and those who
did not fly at our approach, evinced their
turpitude, utter want of good taste, and
ignorance Of the principles of true polite
ness, by receiving their visitors with mark
ed GOODNESS and sullen silence. But SOL
diers who have some slight claim to the
term of veterans were not to be dismay-
ed by cool treatment from rebels, even tho
of the female persuation.
Yazoo City is located in the midst of
very fertile heavy cotton growing country,
as good as any other in the so-called Con-
federacy. There have been but few troops
in this district, a fact which accounts for
undisturbed plantations Of growing corn,
potatoes, and in many cases cotton,
On the 10Th of July, Heron, leaving
skeleton camp in charge of convalescents,
marched out beyond Big Black river, to-
ward Jackson. This march was very Sc
we're on account of heat and dust, which
were almost unbearable; exhausted, sore
footedkmen were plenty; and not few per-
ished from sunstrOke.
Returned to the fleet at Yazoo City the
10th, after AN absence of four days, having
accomplished but little, unless by way Of
diversion in Gen. Sherman's favor.
On the Dist the entire command again
embarked for Vicksburg, having two
transports loaded with jubilant contra
bands, and every available space slowed
with cotton; even then leaving the country
full of cotton ready for market, and con-
trabands longing to be free. Nothing wor-
thy of special note marked our passage
down the sluggish waters of the "river of
DEATH" Arrived at Vicksburg the same
evening; disembarked and marched to our
old camps near the city, to find our sick
whom we had left behind greatly improved,
with lew exceptions where death had
claimed his victim; and what was no small
discovery: was a large mail, which in orr
peregrinations had not been able to follow
us, with friendly greetings to gladden. our
hearts and ameliorate our anxious care
worn minds.
Could the good people at home realize
that in perusing friendly, consoling ffhs-
sives from them the soldiers happiness
reaches its elimination, that alone would
be sufficient incentive to induce them to
write longer letters and oftener.
After a two days rest in camp, we were
again embarked with five days rations,
without the remotest idea Of our destina-
ton, bu. as soldiers often d. offering to
wager something that we could guess whe-
Their the Fates were leading us.
Early on the morning of the 18th the
fleet bearing our division swung out from
Warrenton, where we had collected dur
ing the night. and steamed down stream,
according to our presupposal. We passed
that day in our descent, Grand Gulf,
Natchez the Delta of Red River, and some
other points of less note. There is little to
variegate the monotony of the lower Mis-
sissippi; the plantations are most all de-
serted, few are green with growing corn,
none with cotton.
Soon after our arrival at Port Hudson,
Gems Heron and Vandever left the fleet
at the wharf, under command of General
Orm, and proceeded to New Orleans to
learn of our future plans.
The place ycleped Port Hudson is mark
ed by the debris of what appears to have
been at some ancient date small village
The defences of this place besides being
less extensive are not near so extensive as
those of Vicksburg.
manifested no definite plan as the result
of his visit below, other than ordering US
to go into camp here.
Col. Die, of the 10th Iowa, is in command
of the LIST Brigade, vice Vandever, who is
on duty at New Orleans as member o.
Court Martial. s..
On the day of Herron's arrival a fen d.
joie announced the presence of other dis
tinguished military chieftains in the per-
sons of Gems. Banks and Franklin, who
were on visit to Grant and have since re-
turned.
This. has been a fine sugar and cotton dis
trict, bWt Is s.ov. desolate waste. The
weather is oppressively hot and extremely
dry. The water is very bad, and as re-
suit of that combined with other causes
the sanitary condition of the troops is at q
low ebb. Some regiments bury from three
ment has lost but three since we landed
here. The Colonel of the 3Sth Iowa died 9
few days since. Our regiment numbers
3ll enlisted men, present, so able for duty
and said 70 be in the best condition OF any
in the DIVISION
The 18th corps dc ar,ae, Of which we
form a part, under General Ord, has land
ed. We are to embark tomorrow evening
for New Orleans The field and staff Of
the 4th are well and doing excellent ser
vice. ID Yours truly, MILES.
ND Extract Of letter from soldier Of
the I'D Iowa, dated Union Hospital, Mem
phis, July 20, 1868
Col. Stone has faced the enemies or oul
country bravely; s cool, brave and self
possessed amid theraging elements of NOR.
tai combat, and he will hold with a steady
hand, and brave unfiinching mind the
reins ofgovernmens of the young and no.
BILE State of Iowa.
Placed upon platform Of sound princi.
nles upon the success of which depends the