Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-07-24
Letter from Capt. Mckee.
We are requested to print the following
letter from Capt. MCKEE;
CAMP PECK, near Washington,

We are requested to print the following
letter from Capt. MCKEE;
CAMP PECK, near Washington,
July 4, 1861.
FRIEND MILLs:-I have waited for a
long time to hear from you. When at
Madison | wrote TO you and never received
any answer, and Of course, expected re-
ply.
After leaving Madison we lad a very
pleasant trip 10 Washington, stopping one
day at Harrisburg. We wero met by
crowds Of people,-men, women and chill
dren at every station along the route
more enthusiasm was shown than | ever
expected to see on any occasion. Itwould
sstonish you to see the intense excitement
and feeling exhibited by the women; they
e1celled, if possible, the men in their mani
festations of JOY, and their welcome to the
soldiers as they advance in their travels to
the seat of war. In some instances, yes,
in many instances, you could see tears start
ing from the eyes Of people who had new
er before seen us. When the cars would
move off, after having stopped but mo-
ment at the depots where they were con-
gregated, IN some instances strangers would
think it the separation Of old friends. Not
a farmhouse was passed in the free States
but had handkerchiefs and banners waving
and flying, and the ladies as well as men
seem to have abandoned everything else
to the promotion of the glorious cause
we are enlisted in.
The historian who shall record the great
events Of this epoch, and who fails to award
to the women Of the time at least one-half
of the credit of the brilliant victories which
await our armies will have committed great
injustice to the kindHest portion of commu-
nifty, will be looked upon as peryerer of
history; his works consigned to oblivion
and he forgotten, as he should be- When
those citizen soldiers who are now in the
service of their country shall in after years
sit by their hearth-stones, listening to the
reading, by their children, of the history of
this great war for human rights and human
liberty, they win not be satisfied unless the
little incidents of womanly kindness and her
magnanimity of heart are related therein.
1t must speak Of the sad parting Of soldiers
from their wives, mothers, sisters, sweet
hearts, and the last expressions Of those
virtues and noble spirits, their adm onitions
to pursue religious and virtuous habits, to
stand by the good cause to the last, and to
die, if they must, facing the enemy and
fighting brayely in the cause. | tell you
candidly, that | believe that the individual
who is not made better, and who is not en-
coulaged by the many exhibitions Of wo-
manly patriotism and womanly devotion
and virtue as brought out and exhibited in
this great struggle of a free government
for its own existence is fitted only for an
inheritance with traitors, Jeff Davis and the
balance. Every little kind office perform
ed by the hand of woman, every word of
encouragement, every kiss given to depart
inc soldiers, must be remembered in max
ing up the history Of this great campaign.
1t is the remembrance Of them now by
those in action that inspires them to acts
of daring bravery and adventure on the
field. Every individual must endeavor now
to make himself worthy Of the meeting
with these dear hearts which are in wait
Ing for him on his return.
This war must put an end to the insti-
tuition Of slavery. And should something
now by US unforeseen, happen which would
cause the defeat Of our arms, it still makes
no difference with the ultimate destiny of
this institution. | have conyersed with
some of the slaves have met here. They
say they expect better times after while.
don't think that insurrections among them
will amount to much, from the fact that
their extreme ignorance will prevent
the formation Of any fixed purposes or
places among them, and consequently they
cannot design and carry out any definite
plan of operations. The negroes on the
plantations seem to be ig lorant, almost, of
the existence Of a great North; and at the
present time all the knowledge they haze
is derived from rumors set atioat amongst
them. The fact is, strange as it may seem,
If the negroes on the plantations here were
to be now freed and turned loose with full
permission to 90 where they chose they
could lot, without great difficulty make
their way to any Of the northern states
That this deplorable state Of Ignorance does
exist among the slaves is true. But Oh!
if there is just God, how | pity those who
are responsible for this damnable and de
plorable state Of human degradation. The
determination Of this institution, is ct most,
now but question Of time. You and !,
if we live to the allotted days Of man, will
have seen it exterminated. God grant that
it may be speedily accomplished.
We are now stationed about seven miles
from Washington, in Virginia. We will
probably leave here for more active scene
ii a day or two. We are within twelve
miles az large body Of the enemies forces.
All we want IS to get at them. CHS "sa-
cred soil Of Fs5ginio," if located il GRAFT
would not be entered under the
graduation act for the next twenty-five
wears. The dit thrown ont around our
mineral holes looks better. ! verify believe
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