Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-07-16
THE CALL FOR TROOPS.

Northern homes. The echoes of its
thunder fill our Northern valleys. The
recruiting officer and the Government
4! speak of the imperative necessity for more
! volunteers.
/ We were not careless listeners to the
roar of that conflict which ragged with
such awful fury around the rebel Capitol.
Defeat, or victory involved the question
whether many who read the terrible tale
should still remain at their business and
homes, or 60 out to join their companions
in arms.
The result of that series of battles is
is now well known. III Was defeat!
Not defeat on the field-for our troops
fought with a valor which will be the adj
miration of the world, and were handled
with GOODNESS and kill which give i'm
perishable renown to those who guided
the course of the perilous fght,-but it
was no less defeat, though its cause was
in the cabinet instead of the field.
For more than year has 1.-The Grand
Army of the Potomac been the pet of
the Government. While the impetuous
soldiers of the west have swept the whole
valley of the Mississi ppi-bearing down
every misunderstanding right over fort
and battery, and nnfurling the Old Flag
over its own once mors,-that GRAND
ARMY lay for months inactive, the rebel
flag floating in sight of our own Capitol,
the rebel pickets almost within pistol shot
of the White House, the Potomac lined
with rebel batteries,-a space on the map
not half so wide as your hand dividing
the rebel host from the Nations Capitol
1t was calling to the pride of the people
thus to have defiance cast in our teeth
aud treason's banner Haunting before our
very eyes.
But we were patient We waited in
confidence for the time when our disci-
plined Iegions should be hurled against
the foe.
At length the joyful order came. The
Government was ready. The GRAND
ARMY moved, and we were told that its
onset would be as irresistible rs the fiat
of God. Slowly and cautiously it advan
ced. The spires of Richmond were in
sight. The bells of the city were heard
along our lines, and we all reasonably
anticipated a sure and speedy victory.
Then came week of dreadful dark
ness. Day after day, the army was
shrouded in the smoke of battle, and the
little news we had, was like fitful light
nings darling from the great blackness
of impending storm. At length the cur
tain lifted! Great God That GRAND
ARMY had escaped, as by miracle, from
utter destruction! Handled with un
equaled skill, and fighting with the des-
peration which is born of imminent peril,
that worn, bleeding and exhausted army
at length safely paused, eighteen miles
from Richmond! We were told to be
of good cheer, the army was safe! We
the attacking party, we, whose GRAND
q 81 fol-
thank God and be jub plant, because the
enemy had ceased to attack as! We
were outnumbered again.
There was gross error somewhere, and
the people wish to know where. We
have resources enough; we want the
Government to use them effectively.
There is call for 100000 moro vol
unteers. Wisconsin must furnish five
new regiments, and company must be
raised here.
The time has come for all whose stay
is not imperative. to go to the defence of
tue country. Every man must ald oy
labor, money and influence to fill the
ranks of these new regiments. Let the
st. Croix valley respond nobly now, as
she has hitherto. This war is for the
safety of us all-for all that is sacred in
the past--all that is hopeful in the future.
Reverses may come. Ignorance, imbecil-
ity, personal ambitions and unavoidable
mistakes may delay the hour of triumph,
but success is certain, for
| Freedoms battle, once begun,
BBegq0eathed from bleeding sire to son,
though bafied oft, is ever iron.
- This war will interfere with the
prosecution OF many kinds of business,
but no one need fear that George Newton
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