The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-30
p,,prJNGTON WEEKLY HAWK-EYE|
- PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING,
BY G.. DUN II A N.
Curious Communication from
the Rebel Army TO their Con-

Curfous Communication from
the Rebel Army TO their Con-
greSS.
We clip The following from late copy OF
the Atlanta Itteligencef
CONFEDERATE coNGREss-A VOICE FROM
THE ARMY.
In the Confederate Congress, on the
morning OF the 10Th ult., the President laid
before the Senate a communication from
Gen. Hardee, and other general officers, re-
latiye to the organization of the army,
which was referred 10 the Committee on
Military Affairs.
The following IS the communication re-
ferred TO:
ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Dec. II, 1863.
To the Congress Of the Confederate States:
In the existing condition OF affairs Il is
hoped your honorable bodies will pardon
the variance from custom Of addressing
YOU from the army. 1t is done in no spirit
of Gictation, but under the conscientious
conviction that the necessities of the coun-
trv demand the voices and labors OF all,
and that delay, even for thirty days. IN en-
acting proper measures, may make pre-
sent disorder incurable, and the dangers o.
the moment olnnipotent for our destruc-
ton.
In our opinion, It is essential to retain,
for the term of during the war, without re-
organization, the troops now in service to
place in service Immediately, 1or the same
Term, all other white males, between the
ages Of eighteen and fifty years, able to
perform ANY military duty; to provide for
placing in service, at the discretion of the
President, for the same term, all white
males between the ages Of fifteen and
eighteen years, and between fifty and six
ty years of age; to prohibit substitution 4:
to prohibit exemptions, except for the ne
cessary civil Offices and employments Of
the Confederate States and the States; TO
prohibit details except for limited periods,
and for carrying on works essential to the
army to prohibit discharges, except in
eases of permanent disability from all du-
ty; TO prohibit leaves and furlOughs, ex-
cept under uniform rules of universal ap-
plication, based. as far as practicable, on
length Of service and meritorious conduct
to prohibit. to the greatest possible extent,
the detail of able-bodied officers and men
to post, hospital or other duty; and to
sters and hospital attendants, with the ar
my and elsewhere, able-bodied negroes and
muiattOes, bond and free.
These measures, We think, if promptly
enacted as laws, so as to give time for or
ganizing and disciplining the new materi-
al, would make our armies invincibie al
the opening Of the campaign of next year,
ry and conquer peace before that CAM
paign shall be ended.
We beg further to suggest that in our
opinion, the dissatisfactions, apprehended
or existing from short rations, deprecia-
ted currency, and the retention of old sol
dlers in the service, might be obviated by
allowing bounties, with determinations in
favor OF the retained troops, an increase ol
pay, the Communication to enlisted men OF
potO ho fc
value thereof to officers.
We have the honor to be, very respect
fully your obedient servants,
[Signedl w. j. HARDEE, Lieut. Gen.
C.L. STEVENSON, Mai. Gen.
b. f. CHEATHAM, Maj. Gen.
J.C.BRECK e, Ma. Gen
J. C. BROWN, Brig. Gen.
EDM'D. w. PE1TUS. Brig. Gen
A. w. REYNOLDS, Brig. Gen.
JOHN X. JACKSON, Brig. Gen.
!Addenda.]
sign this with the reservation that ap-
prove the Presidents proposed system Of
permanent consolidation.
PR. CLEBURNE, Maj. Gen.
&c. HINDMAN, Mai. Gen.
JOSEPH H. LEWIS, Brig. Gen,
d. G. GOVAN,
Col. ID n. c. Reg, Riddles Brigade
approve the above, except that portion
which has reference to exemptions, anG
the proposition to place in services those un.
der eighteen and over fifty years of age.
believe that old men and boys would be o
more service at home, and that ministers
Of the Gospel and necessary number O
physicians and teachers should be exempt
NJ. p. LOWRY, Brig. Gen.
Fourteen other Brigadier Generals sigr
the above. }. II. Sharp, Col. commanding
An0erson's brigade, approves the dOcu.
ment, but would favor consolidation o.
regiments and no increase of pay.''
When the communication was read in
the House OF Representatives, Mr.. kee.
nan, OF Georgia, moved that it be referred
TO the Committee on Military Affairs. and
printed.
Mr.. FOOte, OF Tennessee, made some
desultOry remarks on the subject of The
communication, in which he alluded to The
disposition manifested by some persons te
create military despotism.
Mr.. Perkins, Of Louisiana, said that i,
should not be permitted to go to the coun.
try that the Inference was to be drawn
from this communication that the off.
GERS of the Army of Tennessee were in
favor of military despOtism; and he
considered the allusion Of the gentleman
from Tennessee to that subject entirely ora.
tuitous.
Mr.. Foote endeavored to reply, when Mr.
Keenan, called the question.
Au0 SHOdkeE IulCU NuaS tuO PAlNlIcke o
the gentleman from Tennessee had ex pired
Mr.. Foote still endeavored to reply, bu
Was ruled out of order.
Mr.. Wilson, of Texas, expressed himsel
10 similar terms as the gentleman from
Louisiana, and alluded to the highly i'm
,aglnative character of the gentleman from
!ennesseein being able to extract from thi'
Aocument an idea upon which he coult
tism.
The question being again called just a.
MI Foote was endeavoring to reply, it was
sustained; and the communication was
referred.
Under motion to reconsider, Mr.. Foott
succeeded in explaining himself. He had
not the remotest idea of attributng to these
oIlcers any desire to get up military des
potlsm. He knew them, perhaps, bette,
man any other member upon the floor, and
az, ae aoved, almost reverenced them but he
also loved the common soldier, and sym.
pathized with his sutierings, and was in f..