The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-04-01
From the 25lh Iowa.


soldiers. PEARL p. INGALLS,.
From the 25lh Iowa.
T FAYETTEVILLE, n. c., March Is, 1865.
DEAR HAWK Heaven, we
are again in communication with the outer
world. Arrived here yesterday evening.
Orders came round a little while ago that
q mail would be received for a short time.
thought would drop you hasty line.
There is an old legend in connection with
the speculations that were ahoat relative
to the fate OF Sir John Franklin, which
runs misunderstanding upon the notable
fact, that at the Poles the sens are open,
free from ice. This, in connection with the
theory Of an ancient GeolOgist, that the
Earth is hollow, within which theory To-
Gates the Garden of Eden, or Paradise
spoken of in Holy Writ, belonging to the
interior world. The legend conveys the
Pole, that the current carried him within,
and that he has thus receded from our view.
The history of Sherman 8 march has been
somewhat analogous, and also may in
some degree strengthen the theory above
spoken of. Sherman went in from Chat
tanooga North Pole,, and came ont at Sa-
vannah South Pole. the favorable results
of which visit are known and read OF by
all men. Our victorious leader knowing
the wishes of his followers, again led US to
the interior. Sailing from Beaufort in the
open sea, near the South Pole, vanished
from the outer world. No doubt the spec.
ulaiions as to our fate have been as giori-
Gus as were those IN regard to the great
Arctic adventurer-this difference your
people had faith that Gen. Sherman would
again come forth, having passed through
the Eden" Of the Conisderacy-leav in
his wake destruction, devastation. and
death. Ali good patriots are responding
Amen" ''Thus shall it be- done to Beel-
zebub, yea, even 70 South Carolina, the
princes of Rebeldom, thy sins are many
thou art brought 10 the stool OF repentance
with sackcloth and ashes dost thou cover
thyseif-ashes espec:ally-ihe smoke Of
thy torment ascendeth to the heavens:
there is weeping. wailing and gnashiny
OF teeth" it had been better fo- thee hadst
thou never been born. Subjugation, ami
hilation-thy Just retribution--the correc-
tive Of thy own choice. Your numerous
and Intelligent readers will please return
with me aud trace on a map '.Sherman's
Winter Quarters" A few general remarks
as to the disposition Of forces, and I will
confine myself4o the route traversed by
the 18th Corps, to which our command be-
longs.
FROM Savannah our forces moved by
land and water to Beaufort and vicinity
eorganizing-making hasty but COM
plete outfit of clothing aud suppi!es-we
set in the most Indictment season Of the
year, on the grandest campaign Of this
eventful war. The l4th and 10th Corps,
with Kilpatrick's cavalry on our left; the
18th Corps on our right, occupied q breadth
OF country from 80 to so miles.
From Beaufort the 18th corps crossed the
Coosaw river, passed from thence to Poca-
taligo, a station on the Charleston and Sa-
vannah railroad, passing through the dis
- ,r>h 1~,srr
Lexington, Richland, Fairfield. Kershaw,
Darlington. Chesterfield and Marlborough.
touching at the following points and eros
sings: McPhersonvllie. hickory Hill /;
crossed Big Salkeha,chie a, Buford' >
Bridge, the Little Saikehatchie at Oatmar' 8
Bridge; struck the railroad ut Bamourg,
crossed South Edis,O atHolman's Bridge,
North Edisto At Penn's Bridge, near Or.
angeburg, taking direct route for Coium-
bin; crossed the Saluda and Broad rivers Il
short distance above their junction.; thence
in tue direction q; Camden. passing up the
west side OF the Wateree; crossed near Lib
erty Hill, passing through same: thence TO
Flat Rock; down the west side OF Little
Lynch creek; crossed the Main creek al
Tliier's Ferry; crossed Black creek nesi
Beaver, thence direct for Gheraw: crossed
Great Pedee, taking direct course for this
point.
The principal object of the campaign
seemed to be TO destroy lines OF conmuni-
cation and resources of the enemy. This
was most effectually accomplished; hun,
dreds of miles of railroad were destroyed
so US to be irrepairable during the war.
! There is now not single line OF com.
munication between South Carolina and
the civilized world; hardly mule to draw
the pillow; not slave to drive 1t; cotton and
cotton gins consigned to the flames. In
short the whole land made desolate.
| Not to be tedious, but it would probably
| interest YOU to speak of some Of the par.
ticulars relative to the taking OF Columbia
Our brigade, composed of the 4th, 9th, 18th
3Oth and 3lst Iowa, was assigned the work
The 18th and 18th corps had driven IN the
rebels from the west side OF the Congaree
they (the rebelsl took position on the east
side of the river; a strong sk1rmlsn nne
was observed in front, above and below
the city. In fact, we were expecting quite
q battle. There seemed to be no definite
information as to their forces report salo
from ten to thirty thousand-and IN the
face of such uncertainties the following
hazardous scheme was settled upon ina
our brigade waste be ferried across IN pom
toOn boats, under cover of night, to gain ;
foothold on the opposite side, protect thu
crossing, and if there were signs OF evacua
ton of the city to advance and occupy it,
Notwithstanding this dangerous enterprise
4 there was no faltering on the part OF tn
4 Iowa brigade of the LIST division, 10th corps
They seemed to be proud that such a re
sponsible part had been assigned them.-
! The universal response was, 1--WE golf WI
4 perish.
4 The process of crossing was 80 slow tina
l,onl y two OF our regiments were across BY
daylight. a dense fog, however. ,favoret