Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-04-19
Interesting letter from n Rebel
koJdsRr

Interesting Letter from n Hebcl
Soldier.
tThe following letter is from a MARYLAND
gentleman now serving in the Confederate
army. II Is addressed to- lady in this city
The writer was young man of great promise
whose friends are deeply grieved ut the
wreck which treason has made of his pros
poets. He possessed peculiar gentleness
and amiability of disposition, which mani.
tests itself even under present circumstances
He gives a sad picture of his position
rcpcntant of rebellion. despairing of success
but resolved to bury his shame in the ruins
of the cause which tempted him to dcstruc-
ton. The recipient, being loyal to the
Union, has no hesitation in making public
whatever she learns respecting the position
Of the Rebcls-believing that neither friend
ship nor feeling should stand in the way OF
duty.-EDa
HOSPITAL c. S. A.,
RICHMOND, Va, March 3lst, 1862.
wrote to you some months ago, my dear
c., and then thought, as / said, for the
last time But somehow, notwithstanding
your well known scorn for one holding a
position, voluntarily assumed, in what you
call the Rebel ranks, despite your persistent
silence when Kind word from you would
he treasured beyond pricc-in the face of all
these, | again write to YOU. Had health and
prosperity continued with me, perhaps
might have had strength to keep my resolu.
tion to maintain silence toward one who
fear will never forgive me for entering the
Confederate service; but the heading Of my
letter will tell you that ] am in that saddcst
of all places q military hospital.
APRIL lst, 1S62.-I wrote yesterday until
my strength utterly failed, and now resume
my pen, hoping to be able to finish this
cpistlc, for one of my comrades leaves this
place tomorrow and has promised to despatch
II / told M We YOU Mterday how poorly our suf
fcring soldiers were attended 10. No doubt
| humanity made you sorrow that even Rebet'
suffered so. But C, what think you i:
the fate of the sick and wounded Unior
prisoners among us They are cared for, Of
! course; but our surgeons naturally sec first
to preserve the lives of their own men.
How am spending my strength in bcha
of the enemies of the Confcdcracy But my
mind prcgnantly rcverts to their condition
and my heart is full Of pity for them; for
though We fight against each other, cannot
forget that they We're once my brethren
Why, We never took prisoner that die
not hasten to see if he should prove som,
former friend. Twice found it so, and yol
can Judge how painful were those meetings
Besides, our men who have been released
from Union prisons tell how kindly the,
were treated while there. The account
excited so much attention among our troop
that the exchanged prisoners were forbidden
to give further information, or to cOnvers
on the subject with our men. Since ! hav
lain here, surrounded by suffering and death
| have thought much of the causes of all tln
sorrow and dcsolation; and ! am convinced
that we of the South had better borne ia
greater wrongs than we endured, or feared
than to have brought such ruin on on
country. In the North they tell us compal
ative prosperity reigns; but in Nirgini
whole villages lie in ashes; homes are desc
lated, sons husbands and fathers lie j
untimely graves poverty inyadcs home
where hitherto his presence was undrcamc
of; servants, loved and trusted, prove iaitl
less. All the ties of life are severed, unC
disowncd and unrccognizcd by her sistC
nations, the Confcdcracy struggles bravel.
but fear yainly, for her existence, before
foe whose power she could not measure.
We might possibly overcome the immen,
army already brought against us, for thoug
inferior in point of numbers, men fight dc
these rcpcllcd, who knows what countc'
hosts would spring Ia arms from the teemir
population of the North fear our cau'
is hopeless, and this feeling dispirits o,
army, and palsics them on the battle ticl,
Some are willing to surrender and make Il
best terms they can, while Others swear
fight until death. Our official councils a
: divided. Some would stand bravely stan
bravely and conquer or die; others insist {
| caution; and this extreme prudence keel
us rctreating until We are ashamed. 81
= trust me our army will yet make u despera
stand, and prove, despite our late rerels,
that We are not towards.
As for me, C, may not leave tn
5 place alive for though am SO much bett
/ than have been, the doctor tells me tn
!. danger is not yet past, and that If persi
= in exerting myself us am now doing,
writing this long letter, fever may Supervel
and result fatally. Let it come. have l
= wish to live TO see the South subdued, al
Y through future wears to bc scorncd as
c traitor Ii recover, the moment can vie
Z my sword ] will return TO my post, and
4 least dio like man. do not say this
g boasting or defiance, for really regret IN
r ever participated in rebellion; but | ha
/ done il, and cannot retract with hone
Therefore, if our cause must fail hope
: fall with it.
6 The time s short The Federal army a
e moving rapidly upon us, The final strugg
II cannot be far distant, 1t may be the Ia
T. time can ask il will you not send ft
I lines not to the Confederate soldier,
c Rbal, if you will call me so; nor even to t
former friend but TO sick and sufleril
l man who longs to know you have still sol
4 sympathy for him.