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

us, which was almost as good as the dark
ness of the night. Sharp diminishing com.
menced about daylight and continued un-
til the surrender of the city. Anxious fears
were aroused rs to the fate of our brigade.
Many thought we would be OverPowered,
and as there was no retreat, we would be
rushed into the jaws of death. There was
but one sentiment with us, "victOry or
DEATH"
To our pleasant surprise the enemy's
skirmishers gave way and . flag of truce
accompanied by the major met US on the
way aud soon our command moved, with
our banner to the breeze, floating proudly,
and occupied the city.
The enemy had been evacuating all the
previous night. There had been about
1900 troops under Beauregard in and
about the city.
We remained at Columbus for few
days, destroying public works and MA
cnlnery, tearing up railroads &c. The city
was left in ruins. Some buildings had la
ken tire through carelessness, some by ac-
cident, aud some were fred by drunken
aud unprincipled soldiers. 1t was a heart
rendering sight, such an one as never
wish to again behold, woman and chill
dreu, rushing frantically from their houses
into the streets. Many have been trying
by trying 60 charge the soldiers as having
been the authors Of it. But after thorough
investigation, all, even the most of our
enemies, have come to the conclusion that
this SEEMINGLY inhuman act was brought
about by force of circumstances, and pure
~ accidental.
From Columbia we marched for Cheraw,
an the Great Pedee, from thence to Fay
etteville where we now are.
The plans of the enemy in regard to con.
centratinx his forces have been "a complete
failure. We have met with but one little
opposition, and we think that the enemy
scone to the same conclusion that we
have That Sherman can go whore he
wills"
Our troops are in fine spirits. Thers is
not sick man in our regiment. With q
outfit of shoes, coffee and hard tack, we
will again strike hard blows, for this seems
to be the only way to bring speedy and
permanent peace.
All is conjecture as to the future, but we
think the last ditch is nearer than ever
before. Orderly calls out "mail closes in
one minute and half" Hoping have
not wearied you, I bid you adieu.
WIN. GREGG.
BLAKEsBURG, Iowa, March "a, 1865.
EDITOR OF HAwK-EYE:-You will do as
favor by inserting in the columns OF
your paper the enclosed receipt aud state
:nent Of Mr.. John w. Johnson, as it will
give general satisfaction to all to see that
the money has been received at the proper
point. SARAH ADAMS,
President of Ladies Aid Society.
CAIRO, Ills, March Is, 1865.
Mrs. SARAH ADAMS, President Ladies Aid
Society, Blakesburg, Iowa:
Dear .Siste7-Your note OF the 9th mat.
containing $40 from the Ladies' Aid Socte-
ty, tor the benefit OF suffering White RetC-
gees at Cairo, was received on last even
ing. I wish in response in behalf of the
here to tender to the Ladies OF Rlnkesbasg
donation in behalf OF these sufferers.
assure you the money will be most .iu-
dicously applied. and we shall ever re-
member with profound gratitude the no.
bic, humane, ph.lantnropic Ladies Of
Blakesburg, for their prompt response TO
our appeal.
May our Heavenly Father bless you ali.
May the rich blessings OF muniticent
Providence be yours. God grant you all
in this world peace aud prosperity, and IN
the world to come life everlasting
We are now receiving good deaf of as.
sis,ance from the Union Commission,
which is doing an extensive and noble
work, by which, with privrte aid we re-
ceive, we will be able to provide much bet.
ter TOR these distressed refugees than we
have done for some months past.
Very truly yours,
JOHN W. JOHNSTON.
Agent and Supervisor of Whi.e Refugees
at Cairo.