The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-11-07


On Nashville a Chsttsnooga Rsilroad. (
Tennessee. y
DsAs Bsor9ra We are still encnmped
at Boiling Springs. do not know how
long we will remsin here; but think We
will spend the heat Of summer al this place,
an vety'souy 10 hear that any one should
for an instant entertain the thought OF re-.
.sis,ine the laws in trying TO crush this un-
holy rebellion. You stated that people had
different opinions about this war. do not
doubt that, but I wish To know where they
get proof or what makes them think that this
war is only carried on 10 free the darkies
I had begun to think that people at home
had got over that Illusion: but it appears
instead Of them getting over II, they are
getting worse. I tell you it is an illusion
a great mistake. II Is not the policy Of the
Government TO free the slaves. but il is do.
ing all in its power TO crush this rebellion
and restore peace TO our country; bn, IL
peace Is to be obtained only IN letting Jeff.
Davis and his hirelings gain their unholy
object, I solenniy declare I would sooner
have my bones to bleach under q Southern
sun.
II IA slmost year since I enlisted, and
during this time I have been enabled 10 see
3 great deal. as have passed through four
slave states--Kentucky, Mississippi, Ten
ntssee and Alabama. have seen buudreds
OF times how slaves are treated. I have
been TO plantations where one man owned
300 slaves - all OF whom were treated
worse than dogs. We meet with them ev.
'erywhere-a great many naked OF nearly 30,
snd have to work esr,y and late, while, the
master remains in his mansion, which has
been bought by the swat OF his slaves
Thus ne sets IN bis honse snrou nded on all
sides by his wealth, which he obtains only
N making negroes and selling them. I
have seen slaves here as white as yau or I
The scripture says there sre evils among
men that God in his own good time will
punish. Now am convinced that slavery
is one Of those evils, and should II be tres.
passing 10 free the slaves in order to put
down this rebellion, why all eight. n i,
must be, II must. If this war will free the
slaves | believe it TO be the work Of Cod. I,
is through Him ell things are done, and
without Him nothing can be done.
But let me tell yon we are not fighting Ia
free the slaves, bnt to protect and save one
OF the best Governments under the heaven
and the man who thinks that the South will
gain the day is greatly mistaken and mus
DO entirely ignorant Of the great movement,
Of the day. But in order TO crush a rebel.
lion like this and whip the number Of foe,
we are fighting against, will take time. I,
cannot he accomplished in month or 4
year, but let IL take as long rs il will,
though they may hold ont for awhile; vet
I am convinced that God will restore peace
in his own good time.
I have marched over six hundred mi les,
and every step Of this distance we drove the
rebels before us, whipped them when they
male a stand at Green river, Kentucky,
at Mill Spring, at Fort Henry. at Fort Don
e'son, at Shiloh, at Island No. 10. You
see they are continually losing and not
.aining anything; and the more men we
have the sooner will the rebellion be over.
Iswear I woald sooner shoot the man n
the NORTH who would resist the laws in
drafting than shoot rebel here ia the South
But I AN convinced that we are not fighting
TO free the slaves. for hundreds Of negroe,
that let their masters and came into oul
lines, were returned ps fast as their masters
came 10 claim them.
l do not zee what makes you think we
are shedding our blood 10 free the negro -
Congress passed a bill to conh,ca,e rebel
property. Now this 10 perfectly right
There are great many citizens here who
are good Union men so long as we are in
their midst; but as soon as we leave then
they will do us all the injury in their pow
er. Heretofore we have guarded the prop
erty Of such men - never touched any Of il
but that is played out. Instead of guarding
we now confscate IL.
would like to see you all, but it is i'm
possible. do not wish 10 60 home unit
this war is over and traitors punished.
YoWs truly.
/ F.. Duss,
Co II. ist Reg'to V. I