Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-02-10
For the Delaware Gazette.
NOT ES IN DIXIE.
XIV.
PUREYsBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA,
Januarv 2lst. 1863

Star DIVISION OF the 10th Corps crossed th
Savannah opposite the city on the 18th ms
The 18th Corps had several days previousl
embarked on transports and gone to Pocataig
0ia Hilton Head. The 18th Corps crossed th
river at Savannah on the 18th and marched il
the direction Of Grahamsville The I4tl
Corps oD the same date marched up the righ
bank of the Savannah designing to cross tina
river at Sisters Ferry. The lst and Sd Divi
siOns of the 2Oth Corps moved up the left banl
of the river, and on the 18th inst. the for
mer reached Pureysburg. Thus the main por
! tion of the army has gained footing on South
I Carolinn soil and the initial movements of q
new campaign have been made.
Yet this grand movement, whatever it may
be destined to be, is at present at dead lock
1t is as true of individuals in military as any
other kind of life that imam proposes and God
disposes." The puny belligerents of this
world are as nothing when opposed by that
unreasonable Power which rules and sWays
the universe. The armies of earth move forth
in proud, triumphal array often 10 be taught
by the simplest laws of nature their utter de-
pendence and helplessness. Cambyses under
the witheriDg sun Of a tropical desert and
Napoleon in the midst OF the singing blasts
of Russian winter, were thus made to know
that the most splendid armies are not proof
against those inevitable laws which sway the
elements and are themselves controlled by a
higher power than that of man.
1t may be that this army, hitherto so highly
favored in all respects, may also be about to be
taught lesson of this kind. Fer the last
ly falling. This low, fat country is being
flooded with water and the roads are already
impossible. Even in dry weather the surface
is boggy and treacherous, but few hours rain
render it terribly so. The passage of q few
army trains will at any time cut through the
thin crust that Overlies what seems to be a
fathomless bog commensurate with the coun-
try. But now, after this long continued storm
the stability of the soil is almost gone The
swamps have swelled to vast lakes enveloping
the roads and creating unusual currents which
carry off the bridges and float the corduroy
The trains and artillery are immoyable and
the troops can perambuiate their camps only
by wading shoe-deep in mud.
Thus the army is water bound at the very
outset of the campaign. 1t is fortunate lor
the Red Star Division that it happens 10 be
at Purysburg, a landing on the Savannah
seventeen miles above the city. Here there il
no difficulty in obtaining an abundance of sup.
plies by means of transports sent up from be-
low. Mountains of barrelled pork aud pyra-
mids OF pilot-bread are already beginning to
adorn the primitive wharf of this rustic entire
pot. The U. S. Gunboat, Pontiac, lies anch-
ored in the channel opposite, sready to salute
with thunderous and fiery welcome the first in.
sOlent foe that dares mOlest this newly estab
lished line of communication. Thus situated
We are prepared to ''let it rain," unless, per-
chance the storm continues, long enough tC
drown, though it cannot starve US out Of our
camps.
This locality. (lor l cannot call it a town.
has been named with an alarming license o
terms. The "burg" consists, in all, of three
buildings, at least one of which has been de-
molished by the "vandas." The excuse for
this vast destruction of property lies in the in
clemency OF the season, rendering necessary
the use of boards and bricks in the conatruc.
tion Of quarters.
Pureysburg, whatever may have been its
past grandeur and glory, is likely hereafter to
be numbered among the forgotten landmarks
of an obsolete era. When the busy camps
that are now pitched around it shall have been
removed, desolation and ruin will mark its
site. The garrulous water fowl shall here meet
in unbroken cODclave, and the mOping owl
hoot his complaining notes undisturbed save
by Plutonian contraband who cometh to rum
mage the army debris, sic transit gloria Con-
federacy.
There is some consolation for the eHnua ol
our mud-enviorned camps in the current re-
port that Gen. Lincoln and his army were SINH
larily detained at this point in the Indian
Wars. There is also, perhaps, some honor to
be found in being the humble successors OF
this patriot General even in misfortune. To
pursue the same difficult paths as those whose
valiant swords framed our infant Republic
ought TO be an encouraging coincidence for
those who fight to save our nations life. Car
rying the same flag that they carried we difer
from them only in bearing it up against laI
more dangerous and violent opposition. But
let us not disparage their triumphs or detract
one iota from their glorious and selfsacri6cing
patriotism. Rather let US gather hence that
inspiration which is our proper incentive and
without which this war would be merely whole.
sale murder. Noble patriots, worthy progeni
tors, immortal founders OF our freedom, may
We, the heirs of a priceless heritage, following
the same weary ways they trod and for the
same lofty ends, never cease to honor them in
heart or deed, OF prove to be unworthy de.
sceudants OF
''The sages,
Who, in the days OF yore,
In combat met the foeman,
And drove them from the shore
Who flung banners starry field