, 1863-10-01

From the London Newe, Sept II
The following letter has been Addressed to
Karl Blind ty Frederick Hccker, the well
known German Republican leader, nov
colonel In the Federal amy, and one Of the
first Germans tlat raised d regiment In sup.
port Of The Federal cause:
CANT OF TIE Sin REC. Ill. !
WALNUT RuS CHURCH, NEAR
(Post mark Of Washington, Aug. Az
Mr. DEAR FR1EsD--As you See from the
subscription, your letter reached me yester-
day in the camp, Oh this blood.soaked soil Of
Virginia, The devastation
and desolation Of this part Of the
country you may easily imagine. I
write the present letter on the half destroyed
pu]ret ct chapel in ruins, where my head
quarters are. Ny brave regiment, which has
been cut down to the number Of 350 men, is
encamped In the grove that surrounds the
chapel, under the well known small shelter
tents, which every soldier mas to carry him
EeH The granite rocks that are found here
in mcst bizarre shape, are converted ftnto
truly gipsy life, with a touch in It Of the
ancient German mlgTations.' You should see
the cleyeruees and agility with which our
weather beaten fellows erect fhe "cAnyass
city," ard fix up beds laid out with Virginia
fealhels II. c. tW1gs Of fir trees) In manner
at once neat and, as far as 1t goes, comfort
able.
y The powers Of endurance which OUT
soldiers in Ame1ica md the American horses
posfees, eau only be fully understood by
those who bave shared in the fatigues and
prlyatiops Of u var which hns now entered
pean army, down to the last man and horse,
would, under similar circumstances, be in d
tarwolze plight. There are no yillsges round
here where troops could be quartered, nor is
there system Of roads as in Europe.
The rebel a1mT IL in sorry condition. The
symptoms OF an approaching dissolution Of
GUS II ChaIleston be taken, the end Of &C.
cession will come with giant steps. There
Will then only be for some time guer1lla
war against brigand5 and bushrangers, and
tnis fii b. .Sa concluded y, With ca7al5Y and tn-
AtGettysburg the rebels were terribly cut
some four hundred pieces Of ordnance below
forth, the harvest must be bloody one.
Whole lires ot the enemy were lying there
rank and file, officers and men, rs though
they had been moved down at one blow. As
the battle rsged 30 long, and the dead could
Lot be buried, the corpses became swollen
through rain and sun, and had an appearance
hundreds Of horses lying abont dead. Tie
wounded being Oh the ground helpless for so
1opg time, worms soon appeared In the
wounds. At Hagerstown an attack should
hAye been made, but a council Of war decided
in contrary sense. Les has taken posi-
tjon as If bis whole army were ranged behind,
feInt, In order to cover his retreat. II We
bad attacked him, Ee Wou1d have been auni-
hllated. Our troops were animated with the
hest spirit, and asked energetically to be led
again into battle.
Exchsnged prisoners that have just returned
describe tie ktste Of the rebel army, after the
battle OF Gettysburg, IS one Of complete dis.
solution. The enemy could have easily been
driven Into the Potomac at Williamsburg.
The i,resolntion Of our generals has eayed
Lee. It III true, ne too would have suffered
heavily. and a defeat wou1d perhaps have led
Lee 10 Washington; but after all, only be that
dares can win and an enemy that has been
beaten may be supposed to be capable OF
second defeat.
Thus We marched simply behind the re-
treating eaemy, until We entered our present
to be ready for marching. + 1t is
enid that Lee Inns received succor, and means
to outflank us. Nous te7ros.s If
I hare o little moro leisure win write You
more. With hearty greetings to yon and your
family, ever yours, T. HECKER.
KM1 Blind: Esq, London.