The Portland daily press., 1862-08-07
COMMUNICATIONS.
From the N. Y. Christian Enquirer,
Army Correspondence.
CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, VA,
Iulu d 1870

D->@AA OA VOL ~ Ahn<bLhithcDOho.N a A.,
July "a, 1852.
Will it shock your Protestant nerves to be
told that the army in this Department is rap
idly coming to a strong belief in an American
Pope? So 1t is, nevertheless, and with good
reason. Before this Pope came into power.
our soldiers were rapidly forgetting that there
was anything to do except to guard the houses
and wheatfelds of rebels; the Union citizens
OF this vicinity were treated by many of our
high officials with sort OF cool contempt:
traitors were assisted and comforted; mails
were carried frequently between Frederics-
burg and Richmond; loads of salt, ETC., moved
In the same direction, while far and wide
through the ranks of the army, and in the
breasts Of all Union citizens, burned hot
flame OF honest indignation. The Union SEN
timent was thus kept down and silenced; a
practical premium was offered to treason: the
rebel received from some officials in temporary
power, more courteous treatment than the I'm
ionist; and men, driven from their farms by
the rebels because they would not take the
Confederate oath, felt bitterly that theirvworst
foes were in the Union household. The last
Provost-Marshal of Fredericksburg has sub
jected himself to so many charges of this sort
that the Union citizens have at last brought
his case before the authorities at Washington.
do not care to recapitulate their charges but
If true, they are certainly of the most serious
character.
But this dark day has passed, and all now
draw deep breath of relief, and take fresh
courage. You can feel the change in the very
atmosphere. There is not bayonet in this
army whichhas not thrilled with this new cleo
tricity; there Is not Union citizen whose eye
does not utter the general congratulation. |
have rarely witnessed a more marked and graft
flying change of feeling 1t is beginning to be
understood that this is war; that Union man
Is almost as good as a rebel; that treason is a
crime, and not a mere difference of opinion:
that our Provost Marshals and Generals do
not come here to eat drink and be merry with
rampant, outspoken traitors, but to encourage
Unionists, and to crush out rebellion.
See what the last week has brought forth al
the Inspiration of the general orders of our
new Pope. The two dashing raids of our
brave New York cavalry well-nigh up to the
rebel Notifications around Richmond-you
have heard all about them-wl assure you
that our army has been, not dead, but only
sleeping.
Thank, as you will, the gallant officers and
men who SO fearlessly penetrated the enemy's
country; know the former, and can testify to
their brave fidelity. But there was one man.
the guide on both expeditions, whose name
will probably never reach you through the pa
pers. He Is the manifest Virginan have ev-
er met with; he is one of the most determined
Union men ever saw. Start not when add
that his skin is black, for should be proud to
see him wearing the same shoulder-straps
now wear. For two months he has been
perpetual thorn in the side of treason. Brave
to fault, knowing every inch of the country,
cool, crafty, and sagacious, he bears upon his
shoulders Websterian head, for which fifteen
hundred dollars reward has been subscribed.
paid in, and offered by some of the rebels of
this vicinity. Seventy-fve cents day paws