Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-08-06
HOW THE REBELS MUST BE TREATED

DEMOCRAT
The following letter from Col. J. S. Wilcox,
of tho Illinois sd regiment, was read at "a war
meeting held in Elgin on Monday July 18th
Col. w ilcox was conservative" Democrat
when ut home. Read what he says:
HEADQuARTERs SD RECT ILL.,, Vol. \
CAaP MONrGoMERY, near COrinth, :
July 18th, 1862.
FRIEND RArNoSD Nothing OF interest
trausprcs in TINS branch of the great Union
army. To-day is copy Of yesterday, and to-
morrow will probably be a fac simiie of to-day.
There seems to be a lull in the bloody strife
of war, since the terrible bat ties before Rich
mond, yet in the seeming calm, both parties
are but pausng TO regain breath and grid
their luins for iiercer strife. Circumstances
constantly changing the relative positions of
men and things, frequently requires that the
policy of men and governments should be cor
respondinsly changed and believe the time
has come now, (perhaps it came long ago,)
when the policy of our government toward
these dainnable rebels should be materially
changed. While the strife was going on in
the border States, where there were undoubt-
ly quite number of really loyal men, it
well enough to guard and reconstruct their
railways, and 10 protect persons and property;
but now stand upon the Northern line of
State whose inhabitants, in their miserable,
arrogant, vicious ignorance, are all rebels.
they saw fit to destroy their railroads, would
not interfere, but Oh the contrary. if not thor
oughly done, | would finish the work. II
they wished TO burn their cotton, / would use
their com and bacon for my army, leaving
them entirely destitute. Instead of feeding
these wretched women aud children who use
the food we give them, in carrying to their
husbands and fathers in the rebel army intel
lgence OF our strength and position, gathered
while reaching their hands to receive our
bounty, would tell them to look for food and
shelter to those same husbands and fathers.
] tell you these men chuckle with derisve
laughter to think they can leave their fami-
lies and property safely in our hands, and
have us feed the one and guard the other.
have done with that policy which by placing
guards over every farm house, village and city,
aud along the lines oi every railway, has so
weakened the fighting front of our army that
in every encounter these accursed rebels have
numerically superior force compelling our
brave boys to fight against odds. Such
slaughter as we suffered before Richmond,
makes true heart sick. | say let these guards
be withdrawn. II the rebel property may, by
any possibility, be liable to become useful to
the rebels, in prolonging this unholy strife,
burn il destroy it. Let our men join their
comrades with the main army, and in battles
let us have a force equal, at least, if not su
perior to that Of the enemy, and then if wild
bands and fathers slain in battle, let them be
widows aud orphans of dead rebels. II homes
must be made desolate, let the hearthst ones
OF rebels be cold. We pass over their coun-
try and leave it produce more food for rebel
support than when we came. | would leave |
At a blackened waste We have men enough |
IN the army to do it. Suppose we should
march 10 the gulf, carrying ruin and desola-
ton wherever we went when the tale was |
told to Georgia, that the Union army has re- |
ally devastated the State OF Mississippi, and
Eas upon their border to utterly uproot and
destroy everything upon which rebellion could
exist, how long would they be in returning to
obedience TO the law / tell you not long.
They, in their british ignorance, cannot com
prehend the meaning OF the term magnanimi-
ty. Our mildness they believe to be the re-
suit of cowardice. You dare not treat us
Otherwise, say they.
We have too long supported and pampered
Them with our right hand while we warded oil
their blows and softly admonished with our left.
believe in giving it to them with both hands
aud foot, tooth and nail. We need larger
army, and | hear call for more troops has
been issued by the President, Now think
aud know that this army can be Increased
from fifteen to twenty per cent. very easily,
costing nothing, but saving to the Govern
ment. Take my regiment Tor instance we
have about 450 men for duty, OF these over |
sixty are constantly employed on extra and
daily duty, driving teams, loading and un-
oading wagons, cooking, etc. Plenty of ne
gioes offer their services (and in these capaci-
yes would do good service) for the extra |
ruy, pay these teamsters, etc., draw IRON |
Iovernment
ny employ ing the negroes. these sixty or