Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-22

WiNsoh, Y, W. aug. ~.
Mr.. EDITOR You have correspondents
from all portions Of the army, and from al
parts Of the world, Why should you not have
one among tho {" sneaksf" If you want one
I am in. sneaked over here to avoid the
draft, and don't care who knows It. I es-
poused the cause of the Union at the outset,
and united with the defenders Of my country
by joining the Home Guard. For months I
had my valise packed and held myself in
readiness to march at the slightest warning of
attack upon Cleveland. Little did I think
the lsng anticipated attack on my beloved
city would come in the shape Of an order to
draft, bnt come It did, and - 1 marched.
There are about fifty Of us here from
different sections of Ohio, and II Is the
opinion Of the citizens, openly and loudly
expressed, that We are the sneakiest looking
delegation that has yet crossed over. Having
nothing to do, time drags rather heavily.
One day is but a repetition Ofanother. Being
all able bodied men, with immense appetites,
provisions are getting scarce and very high,
but as we all intend to sneak away without
paying our board bills, it don't make much
difference to US.
We receive great many attentions from
the inhabitants. The women throw slOps on
Us from upper windows, and the men squirt to-
baeeO juice in our faces with the most distin-
guished urbanity. Being mea of peace and
opposed to all wars, what can We do9 We
have had serious thoughts ofwriting to Wash
ingtOn and demanding protection at the
hands Of the United States government. The |
other day some mischievous boys attached a
bunch Of are crackers to my coat tail, and /
ignited them, burning me very badly. I |
didn't mind the burns, but the smell Of the |
powder was sickening, and tainted on the
spot. have ustreceived an unpleasant in
terruption; little nigger boy stole up be-
hind me and slapped me in the face with a
rotten mackerel, folded his arms and smiling
ly observed the effect I gave him a quarter
and asked him if he wouldn't be so good as
not to interrupt me again As he went out of
the door he facetiOusIy turned round and
flung rotten egg at me which took effect in
the middle of my back Momentarily irri-
tated got up and shut the door in his face
regretted my severity the next moment,
but man cannot always command himself.
Idropped into saloon yesterday and called
for glass of ale.
Will you have. it on drqtfg" asked the bar
tender with a leer. Ishuddered and left amid
peals of derisive laughter from quantity of
two year old babies, who were rolling in the
dirt at the door. Good hoayensl the very
infants at their mothers breasts jeer at US.
About the only recreation we have is read
ing the village paper, which usually devOtes
a couple Of columns to the /" sneaks"
Good enough for sneak" is the invari-
able reply of our landlady whenever we com
plain that the butter is too vigorous and sin
ewy, the beef too athletic, and the coffee too
Opaque aud geld. We have to swallow the
insult and whatever the landlady chooses to
place before us. We derive a sneaking con-
ISOLATION, however, when We reject on the pc
riOds which will eIapse before she will get her
pay.
Without desiring to discourage enIistments
must say prospects over here are dubious
We dare not return until age exempts us
from draft, and as the most of US are under
twenty i've, it looks as though Canada must
be ourPermanent residence. self-cOnstituted
aliens from our country, dcspised and con-
temned by those among whom we are,
genuine Canada thistIes to irritate US con-
tinualIy,4 our condition is deplOrable. Talk
about what patriot endures for his country,
it is nothing to what sneak has to put up
with. shall not write you again from this
town, as intend to sneak away to some
other locality as soon as it gets dark You
may hear again from A SNEAK. 1