The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-07-02

1HE DEVASTATION OF WAR,-Au army
inevitably marks its path with desolstion
although every precaution may be taken
to prevent needless destruction Of property,
1t makes little difference whether -
passing army is friendly or hostile to The
people through whose territory it marched
In some cases the people Of the rebd
States have confessed that the invading
Yankees were more considerate and mef.
ciful than their own troops. But either
sweeps the country clear Of its edibles md
commits great deal of destruction in meo
wantonness. A correspondent with Gen
Sherman's army in Georgia writes:
The section Of Georgia through which
this army has passed is literally stripped
OF everything; what little the rebels lit
has been absorbed by::our forces. I W.T.
messed q sight yesterday which pray
may never witness again. I have seQ
death on the battlefield in all of in mot
horrid forms; have seen whole platooa
OF brave men melt away before the ira
storm OF battle, but was never 90 viyidly
impressed with true realization Of u
horrors of war as was yesterday. Iarols
LED far up winding ravine between tho
ranges OF hills. When q considerable d.
lance from camp came upon about TWEEN
ty women, girls and children, huddledto
gether, partakers Of each Others wretch
edness among the hills, in state Of s1r-
vation. Close by was q rude, newly
made grave, where one of their number
had been laid in the ground, Who thu
SAID starved to death. Such . group Of
misery never saw before. No couch but
the ground, no shelter but the pitiles sky,
and not q mOrsel of food! I turned fum
the scene sick at heart that I could do
nothing for them, and to think that their
lawful protectors were Just across the bills
engaged in fierce battle for tho destruction
Of their country.
We camp on large and beautiful planta-
tons, and spread desolation unavoidably
before US. As We advance, we makequite
as clean sweep of live stock a. the enemy
have of their slaves. When abandoning
their plantations all the blacks are run FUR
tner South. We have been told that tnoy
are moving them by thousands Of Late, ana
tnat THIS was very much of . slaye-Armea
district. 1t must be so, as the amount o.
LABOR done on plantations this season
great. The large fields ofcorn, wheat rye,
condition, indicate the prosperity o. tne
country. In most instances, the tnhaol-
tants Zee before US; only the poorer CLASSES
remain at home. It Is truly heart-sickeu,
ing TO see so beautiful country ravaee
ana destroyed; these fine farms and plessr
ant homes are truly unequalled u any
country, but the hand of war will iay
scourge on them that century cannM ~
face. On nearly every farm We notoso -
cotton gin, in which were stored tnousa1nS ".
OF collars worth Of the finest coeSon. =.
the 18th we again confronted the enemy
Cassville, who FABRICATED the town ana " n
tended to make stand; but late - tneI
ternoon he evacuated the place, eng ~
forces occupied it. During the oafue ~
inhabitants vacated the town, which - \.
sacked and pillaged by the SOLDIER. ~ =.
entering one house, we saw soldier oO1
ned in the habiliments Of some soutns.aI
lady-black silk dress, q pink Of . pon1n s"r
white kids, hoops, &C.; while on tne 49, 49,
in mutual ruin lay a large and costly w.
that had been hurled into q 300 mn' w.
added to the confused mixture was q ~
initiated piano, q smashed sofa, Dio. ~
chairs, &c. While making my way % ~ ~
camp, I saw splendid oil-painting q ~
Surrender of Yorktown" suspendee IT, -
the side of an old supply wagon, loI .s,s
qualification and classic tastes OF WV
mule-driyer.- Springtield Kepaolscdn'