The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-13
"To Protect not to destroy"

We take the following from letter writ
ten by correspondent of the n. Y. Times,
at Falmouth, Va, in the Department OF the
Rappahannock, under date Of May 81. 1t
shows the spirit which animatcs the rebels
and the utter iutilty Of dealing with them
otherwise than as enemies, until they indi-
cate repentant disposition.
"Contrary to the conclusion with which
an expert philologist would naturally arrive,
an army OF Occupation is an army without
occupation. Ii is the dull monotony OF camp
life, the tedious routine OF unimportant du-
ties and daily nothings that wear upon the
spirit of the soldier, and not the ,wearisome'
ness of his marches, or the hardships OF the
biyouac." a great rust creeps over every
thing in camp, you can brush ii away from
the lock of musket, but it is much more
difficult to clear away the corrosion from the
more delicate and complicated machinery OF
the soul. One tires of bodybuilding, sick
ems OF standing guard over rebel property
for the benefit OF owners who are bearing
arms against him in the Confederate armies.
The proclamation-"We come TO protect,
not to destroy you"-bas grown stale by re-
petition; it has fallen so often upon contu.
macious rebel ears without bringing back
the iaintest echo of loyalty or good feeling.
that our soldiers are tired OF hearing it ut
tered-loth to further carry the merciful
edict into execution. scarcely blame them
for it was not tor this that they enlisted
They camc to put down the rebellion, and
not to pat the backs Of those engaged in it.
When we first entered Fredericksburg, the
inhabitants were in terror; they knew that
they deserved punishment, and expected 1t
would be meted out to them unsparingly.-
The consequence was that they were humble,
thankful to know that their lives were to be
spared. and grateful for the slightest favon.
Blu, they have changed oil that, since becom.
ing aware that our mission is to protect them
to soothe their wounded sensibilitics, and allie
yiate in every possible manner the dscomlorts
they have brought upon themselves. An old
man. with all his sons absent in the rebel
army. and openly regretting that his rheu.
matte cracking shoulders are not capable Of
bearing q musket, too, comes in unblushing-
ly and demands guard for his property. Al
woman, whose husband Is first aid TO rebel
Generals staff, and whose only proiessed re-
greet is that she has not two husbands to give
to the lovely cause instead Of one, two plan.
tations to sacrifice, obtained careful guard
for her premises; the grass plot in front Of
the house must DO untrodden, not blade
disturbed; the graceful outline Of tho fence
must not be broken by the abstraction of q
rail to kindlc Ere, and the sentry who
guards the property shiveringly PAGES his
lonely rounds in the performance of thank.
less task. II the day reveals gap in the
hedge. the soldiers nearest the scene of den.
relation are turned out to the invigorating,
but not cheerful employment of splitting
rails to rebuild it. The argument Is that
this is not done from consideration for rebel
property, but that the crops may be pre-
served, and families saved from suffering.
If it is not giving aid and comfort to the
enemy to assure them that we will kindly
take care Of their wives and daughters, SUI
peranua,ed fathers and decripit mothers,
that the husbands and sons may DO enabled