Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-26

April LIST, 1862 II wrote Yesterday IN
I'll my strength utterly failed, and now
resume my pen, hoping to be able 10 I'm
ish this epistle, for one Of my comrades
leaves this place tomorrow and has prom
ed to dispatch this for me.
told you yesterday how poorly our
suffering soldiers were attended. No
doubt humanity made You sorrow that
even rebels suffered so, But, c., what
think you of the fate of the sick and
wounded prisoners among us They are
cared for, of course; but our surgeons
naturally seek first to preserve the lives
Of their own men; and what nurse in
the Southern Confederaey but -oula
rather watch beside one Of their own suf-
ferers than by one whom they must con-
slider an invader? ] state the fact as
mildly as possible, for / know that in
your estimation these invaders are the
heroes and martyrs Of righteous cause.
| would not refer to their position among
us, but knowing the resources Of the Fed
eral Government, wonder why she fails
to send relief to the sufferers in our
midst ? Was there no one who so loved
the Union that he or she would come
even as prisoner TO attend to your
wounded here ? know your Govern
ment proposed sending Commissioners
here for the purpose, but the Codlederacy
refused to accept them, yet much might
be done by individuals.
Since have lain here, surrounded by
suffering and death, have thought much
of the causes Of all this sorrow and des-
olatiOn; and am convinced that we of
the South had better borne far greater
wrongs than we endured, or feared, than
to have brought such ruin on our coun-
try. In the North they tell us compare
tive prosperity reigns; but in Virginia
whole villages lie in ashes; homes are
desolated, sons, husbands and fathers lie
IN untimely graves; poverty inyades
homes whore hitherto his presence was
undreamed of; servants, loved and trust
ed, prove faithless. All the ties Of life
are severed, and, disowned and unrecog-
nized by her sister nations, the Confede-
racy struggles bravely, but ] fear vainly,
for her existence, before a foe whose pow
or she cannot measure.
We might possibly overcome the inn
mense army already brought against us,
for though inferior in point of numbers,
men fight desperately in situations like
ours; but were these repelled, who knows
what countless hosts would spring to
arms rom the teeming population OF the
North? / fear our cause is hopeless, and
this feeling dispirits our army, and pail
sizes them on the battlefield. Some are
willing to Surrender and make the best
terms they can, while others swear TO
fight until death. Our official councils
are divided, Some would stand bravely
and conquer or die, Others insist on eau
ton; and this extreme prudence keeps us
retreating until we are ashamed. But
trust me our army will yet make des-
perate stand and prove, despite bur late
reverses, that we are not towards.
AS for me, c., may not leave
this place alive; for though / am so much
better than have been, the doctor tells
me that danger is not yet past, and that
if persist in exertihg myself as / am
now doing, in writing this long letter,
fever may supervene and, result fatally.
Let it come | have no wish to live TO
see the South subdued, and through fu-
ture years to be scorned as a traitor. IL
| recover, the moment can WELD my
sword viii return to my post, and at
least die man. do not say this in
Boosting or defiance, for really regret
that ever participated in rebellion; but
have done it and cannot retract with
honor. Therefore, if our cause falls, /
hope to fall with it.
The time is short The Federal army
is moving fastupon us. The final strug-
gle cannot be far distant. 1t may be the
last time / can ask it, will you not send
a few lines; not to the Confederate SOL
nier, or rebel, if you will call me so; nor
even to the former friend; but to sick
aud suffering man who longs to know
you have still some sympathy for him.