The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-11-07

tolerate rule, and think most of them are
in earnest. Many of them have ever been
loyal at heart, and only waited the return
of the old flag TOR protection, to exhibit
their devotion to DE Union, while among
those who readily embraced Secession and
whose whole souls have been engaged in
the rebellion, there is strong Union feel
ing developing. Many of the inhabitants
are constantly fiocking to us for arms to
resist Conscription, and we have been arm
ing them and organizing them into Home
Guard companies. The rebel leaders are
rigidly enforcing the CONSUMPTION act
wherever they are permitted to circulate.
No one is exempt who is able to bear arms.
Husbands and fathers are forced into their
ranks, with no remuneration but Confed-
crate Scrip, of which they are paid eleven
dollars per month, and which is so near
worthless that ii costs one months wages to
buy a bushel Of sweet potatoes or two
yards of cotton cloth, and their dependent
families are left to suffer and starve in
their absence.
Deserters and refugees are constantly
pouring into our lines, "teeing from the
wrath TO come The masses consider the
Southern Contederacy as ''played OUT
institution, and are all willing to lay down
their arms and sue for peace. l am salts
he'd that II the Arkansas troops now III
Prices army We're permitted to take fair
vote upon the question of returning to the
old Union, a large majority would favor 1t
at once.
Arkansas is now in our possession, and
troops are being so distributed as 10 AFFORD
protection to her citizens, not only III their
business pursuits, but in the discharge of
their elective franchise. And there can be
70 doubt but that the next election returns
OF the State of Arkansas, Will exhibit that
the masses of her citizens have had their
eyes opened to the gross delusion under
which they have been so long laboring-
that they are convinced of the error of
their way, and are ready to cry quit and
return 10 their allegiance to the Constitu-
ton and Government of their Fathers.
would give you some description of the
country | have passed through in Arkan-
sas, but fear have already grown tedi-
Gus, and will only say in that regard, that
L have been surprised to find the greater
portion of it delightful country. We
passed through some as fine prairies as l
ever behcld, and my opinion is, that there
IS only wanting few Yankees interSpers-
ed among the inhabitants of Arkansas as
settlers, to develop her resources and she
viii be favorably classed with our Wes-
tern States.
Our regiment is now rapidly improving
IN health and efficiency, and fast recover
ing from the diseases contracted al Helena
from the seeds of disease gathered in
those swamps while we remained so long
III that miserable pest hole of disease and
death. We have lost number of our
most valuable men on this expedition,
among whom We're three commissioned
officers, Captains Warner and Webb, and
Lieut.. Spooner. We left them on the 1st of
September, at Duvall's Bluffs, afflicted
with this malarlous fever and juandice so
prevalent in this country, but were yet
able to go about. They all three obtained
leave OF absence and started together for
%tI,o g
White River, Lieut.. Spooner at Memphis,
and Capt. Warner got as far as Hannibal,
Mo. They were all three noble fellows
and excellent officers, and their death has
cast gloom of sorrow over our entire reg
iment
Lieut. Spooner, from Centerville, whom
you knew very well, and who came into
our regiment at it's organization as Second
Sergeant OF Company G, had by his ener-
gy, application and devotion to duty.
worked his way up to Lieutenancy; and
although quite young man, exhibited a
great deal of military talent. He had won
the affection of his superior officers by his
duty, and was a fine looking, brave and
promising officer.
We are now having battalion drill two
hours in the morning and Brigade drill in
the afternoon of each day. 1t il good ex-
ercise for the troops, and they are all be-
coming very pfonclent IN all the. evOlu- |
tons Of drill.
The boys are all in fine spirits and are
willing soldiers-ready for any emergency
required of them in the great struggle to
put down this causeless and wicked rebel |
lion. They are filled with hope that it's
termination is near at hand, and God grant
they may not be disappointed.
Surely when this rebellion is conquered
and peace once more declared-when the
passions which gave rise to this terrible
struggle have. subsidized, we shall be the
better friends from the traditions of the
personal sacrifices, the evidences of Ma
tional valor and personal bravery, that the
war has developed on both sides.
Yours fraternally,
L. NJ