The Shasta courier., 1862-04-12
Letter from the Seat of war.

ceived letter from Mr.. Henry C. Mofatt,
well known in this county as one Of the pro-
prietors of the Shasta Republican. paper
formerly published here. We are very po-
litely permitted to make some interesting
extracts. The letter bears date March 1st,
and is written from Fort Henry, Tennessee,
and the writer is attached to one of the Mis-
souri, regiments
was in St. Louis when the shock
of war came and Sumter fell, and amidst the
fiery elements where loyalty and treason
struggled hard for the mastery, there was no
time for doubt or room for the faint-hearted.
The streets were thronged with treacherons
miscreants, crying 6 death to the Unionists," I"
and loyal men were murdered in my own
sight. Women promenaded the avenues of
fashion with secession emblems displayed
about their persons, to encourage their
friends and admirers to 60 on in their iiend-
ish work The hour looked dark and gloo-
my for our country when we first made the
attempt to crush this wild and reckless spi-
rit. was among the first of those who met
in secret council, and resolved to resist this
wrong and oppression. We enrolled our
names to stand by our country and against
all its foes. Every night the Union men
came pouring in to take up arms. We form
ed clubs, companies and regiments, and re-
ceived our arms so quietly from the brave
Lyon, that the rebels were not aware of the
storm that had gathered and was about to
burst in their very midst. They had formed
beautiful camp, and had collected together
their choicest spirits and thousands of sup
porters. The 10th of May came, and it was
beautiful day. The city had on its gayest
attire. Long avenues were filled with car
riages and people passing to and fro, carry
ing luxuries to brave friends who had said
that they were not afraid to commit treason
against the country that had given them lib
erty and protection. l spent the morning
looking round and observing the countenan
ces of tho passers-by, knowing as did that
before night the stars and stripes would float
in that city and camp, or over the ashes of
one and the bodies of the other. The faces
of the rebels were bright and triumphant,
of the loyalists sad and cheerless. At II o.
clock went to dinner, and at the table. could
hear tales of how finely things were working
over at camp-that they would have the
Arsenal in a few days, &C., &c. was then
expecting the signal, and was so uneasy that
l could NOT eat As went out on the street
my Captain passed me, saying 4" be ready"
On my way to my room, the signal was CIV
en-. Heavens what a change! In mo-
ment horsemen were to be seen riding furi-
ously in all directions. Policemen were as
founded that their cries of " stop'' were un-
needed. Men came pouring into the streets
with parts of uniforms on, and the balance
in their hands. Windows, doors, and places
of business were suddenly closed. Our peo-
pleorle were notrushing viii lily around. They
were directing their steps towards the differ
ent halls where their arms were stored, ard
where they had been drilling. The massive
gates of the Arsenal were thrown open, and
the proud and determined Lyon rode out at
the head of his column. TLen it was, when
l first saw the long line of cannon and bayo-
nets, that first felt hope for our country.
When they reached the centre of the city,
they were joined by the Reserve Corps, num-
be ing four thousand The mad shouts that
then rent the air up to Fort jackson were
terrific. The Germans wore evergreen sprigs
in their hats, which gave them jaunty and
careless appearance. In less than an hour
we were around their camp, our artillery
bearing upon them from every side, and
greeted them with a demand to surrender
Some submitted gracefully, while others be-
came frantic, and commenced firing on our
troops. 1t was returned by portion of the
Germans, and for a while the bullets fell
pretty thick. l could see the wounded and
dead and the gay crowd had seen in the
morning, men, women and children, were
running screaming in all directions, terror
stricken. Then came a cheer from the
throats of these 700Omen, who had been NAL
treated and abused for weeks, as the word
went round that they had surrendered. The
| day of retributon had come, and terrific
was the blow. Then came long line of
traitors, without arms, moving slowly to-
wards the Arsenal. Their ranks were filled
with the aristocracy of the city. The night
following was terrible one. Meetings were
held, threats made, and mobs congregated.
We all stayed at our various halls with our
guns loaded. After this we held the sway.
We have drilled, studied and
marched through mud, snow and rain, built
fortifcations, slept ON our arms for weeks,
watched for the enemy, pursued them, made
reconnoisances, built forts and bridges,
waded streams, seen the horrors of civil war
carried to a community, and in fact nearly
everything else, except the stars and stripes
go down in disgrace. Wherever our regi-
ment has been it has been successful. = \
Then came the great battle at Fort Donel-
son. We thought tha. we were not to be
there. Moffatt's regiment was a Fort Hen
ry-Ep.l While sitting around our camp
fires we could hear the roar of the cannon.-
Later the news came that the rebels were re-
inforced, and it was doubtful how the tide
4 L., -, IL IL.