The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-08-06
LATHE Rock. july

n ~ -
EDITOR HAwK-EYE:--Since my former
letters no important military movement
has taken place. Although the enemy have
not been idle, yet the severe punishment
received by them at Jenkins Ferry, deters
them from assailing any garrisoned point.
A plan existed, and perhaps now exists, on
the part Of the rebels TO force our defensive
kansas and Missouri to their depredations.
Thus far the plan has failed. It is true
Shelby with two thousand men crossed the
Arkansas river, and after scattering his
force to gather food, did concentrate his
command At Clarendon and seek to block
ade the White river but he was promptly
driven back with loss by force sent down
been .'awkwardly'' about the mountain
country. The railroad has been obstruct.
ed twice, but only for few hours In each
instance, and this work it is ascertained
was done by two or three men. The occa-
sional turning up Of rail. or shooting into
. train can hardly be prevented in q coun-
try like this, or indeed in any country. The
route and at Duvalls Bluff, and any at
tempt by Shelby, or any other man, 70 sew
er our connections, will be most promptly
checked. The movements Of Kirby Smith
and Rice are known, but any purpose be-
you'd ? general system OF harrassing our
line 81 defense II not unfolded. The Opin-
ION ie held by some that there win be .
direction, and that while the mounted men
cross the Arkansas and divert our atten-
ton and energies TO : rear attack, An ad-
vance In front will be made with the ex-
pectation Of taking Little Rock and Pine
Bluffs. The failure Of Shelby to accom-
plish anything must have postponed any
immed1ste movement ia the front, al.
<h~<
bodies Of the enemy are in motion. It IL
certain hewever that at this date no con-
siderable body Of rebels are within strik-
ing distance. Nearly every day some Of
our men come in who have escaped from
Tyler in Texas. The intrepidity and hard
iho0d Of these men cannot be- very we'll
over. estimated. Passing the rebel guard
strange and hostile country. must b tray.
ersed on foot, generally without shoes aid
With little clothing, rivers to b crossed and
f0od to be gathered from negroes or friend
~ citizens - may be, while BY night and
day the sudden coming Of rebel scout
or the rapid approach Of the bloodhound,
is dreadful. lam informed that seventy
nvs o. our men have escaped IN this way,
!. The exact political position Of Arkansas
IL not understood BY anybody here. It
was bad enough before, but the Proclama-
ton Of the President, a. presented to ID in
late papers, seems to consign the whole
subject to condition Of hopeless uncer-
tatnty. 1t would have been well il Arkan-
- had been LEFT alone by politicians for the
present. Military rule in ! tebellious
country Is wholesome and answers every
need-crtminals are arrested and promptly
punished, and the lives and property Of
good citizens are N secure as they ever
can be. There 4 ! judicial system Ii ex-
istsnce under STATE Organization, bnt II il
poWel!ess. The Department Commxnder,
with the advice Of his Judge Advocate.
performs the duties Of 1 supreme court bet
ter that any. Of their citizens. however
skilled IN the law, could possibly as. Y.
, Inc controlling argument used last year
II mvor 81 immediate State re-ofnnnixa-
sion, was that = majority Of votes could 10
nad lor q free constitution. whereas IL pub
!io action was deferred, it would lead to
bitter dissensions and possibly retard the
cause OF freedom. The proposed free con-
stitution was adopted, the State officers
inau&urateo, and the movement stopped.
Inc legislature met and passed bills, none
o. wnIcn g can learn are enforced. The
cenatots elected have not been recognized
Oy ConeIess, and although money is need
e3 " suPPoIt the State officers, not one
cent mus nr has been received by the
AIessuIe1; think, therefore, the machine
msy ~ auowed TO rest. Let the one hun
urou onco nolaers show their zeal for Ar
1ansaS ~ en1sting during the war and
running the state in debt bv the issne If
warrants on an empty tressnrv eav
this as - friend Of Arkansas and = ha,;evo
II is the FEELING NJ the hest &C.,.