The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-23

We went into camp on the river bank
above the town. The population OF
Brownsville is now near two thousand,
mostly untutored Mexicans, many Of
whom live in houses of dirt, poles or weeds
placed vertically and covered with hay or
Unframed cow -hides. The only wonder is
that vicinity, even in the remOtest cor
ner of our republic, could be found where
turptude, ignorance, filth and torpidty
held supreme rule without the slightest OPP
position.
On the Mexican shore the ricks Of cotton
doomed up like mountains as far as the eve
could reach. This, the citizens told us, had
been transferred from this shore by the
rebels, who have been hauling it hundreds
Of miles, from the very commencement of
the war up to the time we approached the
place. IT is great misfortune to our cause
and equally fortunate for the enemy that
this clandeStine commerce was allowed TO
proceed SO long without interruption.
Soon after our arrival General Nandever
asked TO be relieved of his command III the
18th army corps, which was granted. am
not able 10 state whether there were anv
tears shed or not, without speaking OPP
prObriouSlv. About the same time Gen
Dana was announced AS corps commander.
The I4th November Col. Clark obtained
permission from Gen. Banks TO go to Iowa,
for recruits, hoping TO BE- able under the
late call 10 fill the depleted ranks Of his
regiment. The same day Battery +, First
Missouri, and our regiment were detached
and started for Point Isabella Oh the coast.
We were urged forward at a rate which
bid defiance to ease and comfort. Scarcely
had we time to examine the noted battle
grounds Of Palo Alto and Rescca de la
Palma, over which we marched. Ensconc-
ing ourselves for the u ght III the Ravine OF
the Palms, which is the English Of the last
named battle-ground.
The country ovcrwhich our line OF march
extended is Il wild uninhabited district.
except II few ranches here anG there at long
intervals, with whom we could only hold
pantomniic converse. There seems to be
no timber in this part Of Texas: al is prai-
RE, large areas of which is covered with a
shrubby evergreen called chapparrel, and
4 iuxuran, growth Of priclly pears. In
terminayle herds Of cattle were feeding
along our way, and the prairie wolf could
be seen scamperiny away, alarmed at our
hostile appearance. We met a train Of cot
ton proceeding towards Brownsville, in
blissful ignorance of the late change etfec-
ted III that cotton mart. A small guard
from our regiment gave them lesson in
"squad drill the first evolution being
fright about, march.' The cotton and
teams were brought with us to the Point
and turned over to the Government. We
arrived at Point Isabella late on the even
ing OF the 10Th inst. This is a small town
whose occupants had all gone from home.
/ Early the following morning we en- barked
on the U. 5. steamer Warrior, and proceed
ed 70 Join the expedition under Gen. Ran
som. off Araneas Pass. After little una
yoidabe delay the General landed the Goth
Iowa, and the 18th and Nth Maine regi-
nlents, on Mustang Island, where they
| found 4 small force OF the enemy, about
one hundred, and a few field pieces, all of
which they captured. The 10Th Iowa was
J fs+t l,.ll D,,A LII tl,.
| ded the main force on san Joscph's Island,
/ the next link in the chain OF Islands to-
wards Galveston We proceeded 10 the up
I per end ~ the island. and in a sklrmi,h
with party OF rebels the Generals Order
/ ~ killed MAJ. Hill, the rebel commander.
4 Here we We're joined by Gen. Washburn,
ana the first brigade of his division.
/ Little time was lost in crossing Espirito
| Pass into Matagorda Island, which is the
next link IN the great chain, and about for
/ " mile, long. This island was held by
nearly seven hundred rebels, whom we
| iound in strong fortress on the upper
end, which was built To command Caballo
Pass, a deep channel separating the Island
Il from the peninsula OF the same name
! When we moved upon their works and
found them so formidable, we expected
warm work, IN which We were disappoint-
ed. After one days bombardment from
redoubts thrown up in u single night, the
| reDeIS eTchnt oHiHeS. pom taking pos
session OF the fort, called Esperanza, we
captured few prisoners. nine seige guns,
and two field pieces. The enemy had ex-
i ploded a part of his magazine and other
wise uetaced the interior OF the work: yet
II is one of the strongest and most com
plete fOrtresses | have ever seen in Rebel
dom. The fort is garrisoned by the I'D
| Iowa. Also new works are being erected
for the more complete defense of the Pass
which is regarded az being OF great impOr.
lance.
From present indications we expect soor
to move Oh Galveston. having been largely
reinforced. The 18th army corps now holds
nearly all the coast of Texas the prestige
OF rebel arms is broken here, and if We
move soon Galveston may be in our hand,
before this reaches you.
Gen. Warren, OF your city, is here.
The 3ith Iowa. and ID and 18th Maine in
fantrv regiments now compose the Sd brig
+ AIDE, OF I'd division, OF 18th army corps, I'm
/ der Gen. Ransom, y young, efficient ant
worthy officer. He exercises us in the ev
! oiutious OF the brigade drill three times
Week.
The health and spirits Of the troops arr
, excellent. Our tents and mess-chests wer,
taken back to New Orleans: a loss we cal
, not we'll endure.
Col. DUNCAN, Major Kern and Surgeon
COffman, are in excellent health also lou
, Adutant," than whom there is no better.
Very truly. MILES.
!. Arrival Of John Maria