The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-01-29

stitutions.
like the firm, manly course the Pres
ident has taken, through moro than one
crisis-even in tho removal Of Fremont,
after his (Fremont's,) proclamation. Has
he not most Enthusiastically said, by word
and decd, that he wars not against an in
stitutiou, but for the very vitality of the
Government Then, there is another
thing for which we should feel grateful,
the policy of McClellan--so averse 10 a
shedding of blood. He don't seem to
think that 10 kill out rebellion he need
to kill out the rebels, but simply cause
them, like Jonah's gourd, to " dry up"
Of course, we expect hard fighting;
but not blow until every man shall
know his work, with degree Of certain
ty of performing il thoroughly. Then
the blows will fall hot and heavy, thick
and fast, no moro Bull Runs, but victory
or death. That Bull Run affair has sunk
deep into the hearts of the Third Michi-
gan boys-although we did all our work,
and even covered the retreat Of Mellow
ellis army, yet the stigma sticks! and
must be wiped out some day or other.
suppose the troops who have left for
Kentucky will see service soon. We hear
a rumor of an engagement in Kentucky,
near Paducah. l am very anxious to hear
all the particulars, as there is an old Of
fice-mate of mine there, in the Chicago
Light Artillery.
I hold to the belief that nearly all wars
are the result of ignorance. Is it not by
tho most damnable lies that the ranks OF
the rebel army is filed up9 They think
that the Government is bent on freeing
their slaves-that we are abolitionists oil
the darkest hue. Hence they wish us in
hell, and do their best 10 send us there
which is all very correct if what they
think be true. We may thank abolition
sermons, resolutions, gas, and personal
(insults,) liberty laws for all that. Now,
/ no more believe that fire-eating is the
legitimate sentiment of the South than
abolition is that of the North, and mis-
understanding in this respect has aided
jeff. Davis d Co. in their nefarious "A
ron BUR- scheme of disunion and secess-
ion.
When l returned from the battle OF
Bull Run, l stopped over night at Fort
Corcoran, with the New York Sixty
Ninth Regiment. The poor fellows spun
yarns about the battle till midnight
enough to fill book; but one narrative
struck me in particular. One fellow, q
Sergeant, told of how they took rebel
battery, and were charging after the reb-
els. On their return TO reform into line
the ground around was strewn with the
dead and wounded. He heard one pool
fellow crying most piteously for water
having a little left in my cantccn,
| stopped to give him drap, and what
the divil should l find but id Louis
lana Zouave. All! sure, now, BY the
howly Moses, I've a strong notion 10 spade
yer flght!'' The dying man replied i'm
ploringly, "For the love of Jasus, give
me just one drapF "And what could |
do but give the poor fellow the very last.
He was badly wounded, and all cut up
with splinters of shell. Troth, says !,
and what could induce We to take up
arms against the Government |" "And
sure" he said that aye were set Of
black abolitionists, coming to fraa the ma
gers and to give them arms to fight them
WITH Now, said /, sure, and the id
spalpecn that towld ye that same lies like
HI, and the howly truths not in him y
He seemed as though he didn't under
stand me, and while raised his head, so
he might rest aisy-lfkc, he said never a
word for sometime. Then, poor lad, he
h'aved sigh, and said lie, 81 tell We
what, it's hard, hard, to fight against the
stars and stripes!"
Now, it seems TO me that about the
best prayers that preachers could offer up
to Heaven (thcy most generally pray to
their congregational is for the good Lord
to open the eyes Of the people North and
South TO what is just between man and
man, State and State. y
Yours Truly, w. II. ID.