The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-07-02
9 Essa9g.ssna EeE=
: EgagsgagzgagsSs
From the s4th Iowa.

BATON RoUoE, La, June It'll, 1864.
DEAR HAWK ExE:-1n . mail which
struggled into our camp to-day were few
copies Of your Daily. Nothing coud have
been more welcome. Being Of that unhap-
py number whose friends had forgotten to
write, I reverted with eager interest to the
columns Of the Hank Eye for solace, and
while reading was suddenly reminded Of a
promise, made . long time ago, scarce
remember when, Of writing occasionally
how the Fates use the 34th.
In thinking Of the sad blunders and dis.
repute Of the Department OF the Gulf, we
sometimes fear the good people at home
will think less of us on account of our un-
happy association, and refuse us q place in
the chamber Of memory, while we are less
guilty than poor dog Tray, and are only
obeying orders; but better thoughts gain
ing the ascendancy, we know we have a
place in their hearts of which no i'll fortune
can deprive US 80 long as our part in s,,s-
tanning the proud name Of Iowa is per-
reflection to cheer the dropping spirit and
energize the weary frame, we have recently
passed through some Of the severest and
most unfortunate campaigns of the war
I refer to General Banks ridiculous cru
SADIE into Texas aud his disastrous expe-
dition on Red river; in both of which we
performed with alacrity and cheerfulness
the part assigned US. A prolix narration
Of the doings Of our regiment in these late
operations would, ut this writing, think,
be unipteresting to you as we'll as most of
your readers, and only narrowing up un-
pleasant "reminiscences of the General
miss-management and palpable stupidity.
But it is due to the friends Of the 34th to
know that fatigues and hardships were
never endured with more determined good
will and apparent cheerfulness than was
evinced by the officers and men of the star
regiment in the battles near Alexandria,
and on the terrible retreat to SimmspOrt
and Morganza. During the retreat of nine
days no halt was made for rest or Sleep
Of course there were some incidental halts,
such as were necessary to repair the road
and construct p0nt0ons.
Col. Clark, who has been commanding
the brigade since our departure from the
coast Of Texas, and Lieut.. Col. DUNCAN.
upon whom devOlved the command of the
battalion, conducted themselves with great
credit at the battle of Middle Bayou,
evincing the greatest GOODNESS and personal
bravery in the midst Of terrific shower of
shot and shell.
Major Kern and Adjt. Bryant also merit
great praise for their promptness and gal
lantry upon that occasion.
On the 18th Of last month, our division.
(the 4th,) was ordered from Morganza to
this place, to the no small delight of all.
with show Of remaining here q short time
to rest and recuperate our depleted strength
after the arduous but fruitless efforts in the
Trans-Mississippi Department.
We went into camp on the morning OF
the 10Th, in the rear Of the town. situated
in an open field, were exposed to the OBJ
pressive rays of the sun until the men gath
cred green cane and foliage from the neigh
boring forest and erected skillfully arrano.
ed arbors, which afford excellent protec-
ton; 1t would alnuse any ono to see with
what ready genius and artistic skill old
soldiers construct these Tuscan shelters Of
lattice work, or indeed with what address
they reduce everything to its most practi.
cal application, drawing comforts from re-
sources upon which any other class of per.
sons would perish for want.
Upon our arrival here the restaurants
were soon "gone far" the great mania be-
ing to enjoy square NEAL once more
without the dread Of the bugle sounding
forward in the midst of that interesting
ceremony. So suddenly emerging from
the extreme of barbarism into the extreme
of civilization, where mutton, ham. and
eggs, with an excellence Of cuisine unsur.
passed can be enjoyed, requires an effor,
on the part Of half-famished officers and
men to contain themselves. Strawberries
ice cream, claret-punches, &C., are luxuries
which can only be INDUCED in by those
| able to boast . recent intimacy with thu
Major Of the gold cord and heavy box.
This is = small, Anticipated town. with
low wooden houses, displaying a gross
want Of architectural skill, shady side
| walks and streets, sadly needing repairs
" Reu call 1t the extreme Of civilization