The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-04-23
Another Letter In Vindicati0n Of
Major Bruce.
HEADERS u. S. FORCES ON THE RIO)
GRANDE, BROWNSVILLE, Texas,
March 9th 1884

Major Bruce.
HEADERS U. S. FORCES ON THE RIo)
GRANDE, BROWNSVILLE, Texas,
March Goth, 1864.
EDITOR HAwK-EYE Il am in receipt
| OF copy of your paper containing letter
Of Mr.. Geo. G. Eaton, of Lee county, in
which that gentleman, undoubtedly
through misunderstanding of the facts,
attacks Major Bruce, of the 18th Iowa In
fantry, in very severe and undeserved
manner. The facts in the case are these
Under its former commander the 18th Iowa,
though always noted for its gallantry, was
also noted in the Division to which it has
from its origin been attached for its laxity
Of discipline and disregard Of orders and
army regulations. To such . point had
this reached that in the month Of Septem-
Der last, in an inspection report made by
Col. Dudley, Inspector General of this De-
partment, 1t was pronounced, as In its pre-
sent condition, 'unft TO bear arms" Maj.
Bruce was then placed in command of the
present, and has by hard work and close
attention to his dnties so improved its
condition that on occasion of the last in.
spection in drill, discipline and military
appearance, it ranked the best in its Divi-
sion, and, have no hesitation in saying,
is to-day, in all that makes a regiment,
equal to any from the State of Iowa.
stands higher in the estimation Of Major
General Heron than Major Bruce, and the
complete change he has wrought in the
condition Of his regiment has won for him
the admiration Of his brother officers,
while doubt if there is a man in the regi-
ment who looks upon him as his 'bittey
enemy" or in any other light than good
and efficient officer, who is doing his duty
well and fearlessly towards his country
and his regiment. As late as December
last, symptoms of characterization exhibit
ell themselves in this regiment, and, in
pursuance of his duty, Major Bruce pun
ished severely, though none too much so,
one OF hs 1ne BY h s1
rushed into the place where he was tied
and cut down the prisoner. Major Bruce
ordered him again tied up, when certain of
the men seized their guns and gathering
around the prisoner, in defiance Of the OFF,
GERS, again cut him down and released
him.
Certain of the mutineers were arrested,
tried and convicted by a general court
martial, for mutiny, under the 7th article
of war. On the evidence of Maj. Bruce as
to the previous good conduct OF Messrs.
Panlk and Brockway, the Court, instead Of
infiicting the usual sentence for such a
Observation-Disclosures them to the Dry Tor
tugas, as Mr.. Eaton states in his letter.
of the Court was made known, Maj. Bruce
drew up, signed and presented to the Maj.
General commanding, paper asking tor
the pardon Of those two men, on account OF
their previous good conduct, and the belief
that they were unaware at the time OF the
enOrmity Of their offence, and were peni-
tent. This paper was approved by Maj.
Gen. Heron, sent to New Orleans, and a
pardon granted. The men are undoubt-
eddy released, and looked for daily to re-
matter Mai. Bruce did nothing but his du-
himself liable to arrest under the articles
the position he holds. Paulk himself con-
fessed to being the person who cut the pris-
oner down, and was therefore most severe
fleet on the conduct Of either of the two
he u brave soldier-tried and found true
But courage and devotion to our country
are no excuse in the army for violation Of
its laws. They are the common attributes
of an American soldier, and have become
but little worth, unless accompanied by dis
cipline and strict obedience to orders. Mr..
Eaton has lunintentiOnally, / hope done
a great Injustice to q brave and good Of
ficer MAI. Bruce) who is doing his duty
we'll, and has reason to be proud Of his sue
cess, and under whose command his regi-
ment, the 10th Iowa Infantry, has become
one of, if not the best drilled, disciplined
and equipped in this corps.
RIO GRANDE.