The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-08-01


few days were again occupied in walking
over tho field to mark the difference after
more than three weeks had elapsed. We
took our start from Cemetery Hill and pas
SEQ over all our lines on the first day
Shells. solid shot, and bullets are still ly-
ing around, one would think, as thick as
ever, although agreat many persons have
ever since the battle, made it their bust
ness to hunt bullets and sell them by the
pound. Many thousand pounds have been
gathered and disposed of in this way
Nearly every stranger returns from the
held with his pockets heavy with lead
government has forbidden any of the re-
lies to be removed, SO whatever visitors
can conceal about their persons they are
most likely to take with them. All who
come from distance naturally desire to
return home with some trophy Of war. On
account OF this propensity, some very anus
ing scenes are sometimes enacted Quite q
number of those who come in from the
country are not aware that these broken
implements are .'contraband of war" so,
IN their innocence, they pick up handful
OF Dayonets, or sometimes they think it
would be a capital idea to take along good
Enfield rifle; they shoulder arms, walk off
coolty and exuttlng over their good for
tune, when all at once they are arrested in
their triumphant march and deprived of
their plumber.
a close observer must notice an impor-
tant fact in respect to the number OF shells
found on both sides of the field. The ground
occupied by our forces is literally strewn
with unexploded rebel shells, while along
the Confederate Notifications very few can
found; but the fields and the woods are all
covered with fragments ofexploded shells.
1t IS said notone-sixth of the shells thrown
by the rebels exploded; hence the greater
destruction of life by our artillery from the
, G u runn iy,E
from the number Of bullet-holes in the
trees ali through the woods that it was al
most Impossible for single man 10 escape
unhurt. On Wolfes Hill, on our extreme
right, where the rebels made SO many I'M
successful charges, we counted in single
bullet-holes. thirty-four of which were
within six feet of the ground.
The field still contains many scenes OF
interest; the ground is yet covered with
knapsacks, broken guns, cartridge boxes,
broken cannon, wagons, rebel hats, boots,
shoes, stockings, packs of playing cards,
prayer books, bibles, &c. Government
wagons have, ever since the fight, been
hauling away loads of whatever they can
find of this description; but were they to
continue their labors for months to come, it
would be impossible to clear this vast bat
tle-ground of all its relics.
We found still a number of rebels I'M
buried. On farm occupied by a Mr.. Rose,
we found no less than seven of those for
whom not even q covering of earth was Civ
en- to hide their ghastly-looking FORMS
Others we found thrown between two
rocks, and covered with a few large stones.
and numbers over whom only a little earth
was thrown, their eyeless heads and ivid
feet still visible. Scores of dead horses are
still scattered over the field, yet no effort is
made to bury them. and no CELEBRATES. no
disinfecting agents Of any kind are used
The people of Gettysburg, and all who visit
there, must necessarily be exposed to the
poisonous gases resulting from the decom-
positiOno animal matter.
have visited q great many hospitals,
and must say that have never seen any
where the wounded are better treated in
| every respect, than they are in and about
Gettysburg. They all appear cheerful and
| well satisfied. The ladies of the town and
| assistance, not only making and sending 8
great many necessary articles, but by do
ing in person, and doing all they can do tc
alleviate the suffering of the wounded,
Wagon-loads Of good bread, cakes, wines
| pillows, pads, shirts, and whatever may be
desirable to the wounded, are every day
sent to the hospitals from the surrounding
neighborhood. From York sulphur Springs
| small town in Adams county, they send
several loads OF provisions every day, and
many of the young ladies in the place have
exchanged their homes of ease and luxury
| for the watchful days and sleepless nights
| of the hospital.
With ali the consciousness and pride OF
victory, it is still heart-rending sight to
look upon this great burying- ground
Fields waving with luxuriant grain but
| few weeks ago, have now been turned into
one vast sepulcher for the dead; woods in
their primeval grandeur have been checked
in their beautiful growth, and their tall
oaks have now become monumentst to mark
the resting place of those who have been
crushed beneath the deadly wheels of war.
/ am, sir, yours truly, .. J. X.
GETTYSBURG, July %, 1868.