Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-06-27

Inc lolloWlng lettef was written ny
lady now in Fredericksburg, Virginia, TO
friend in this city, II gives sad ac,
cnnnt Of affairs there, and shows how
oyerkndly the rebels and traitors are
treated by the Union men at that place.
Although the writer is a true Union lady,
we are sorry to be informed that many of
her immediate relatives are secession SYM
pathisers,
FREDERIoKsBURo, June 90, 1862.
Dear Friend:
YOu will no doubt Won
der thus make so free as to write to you,
hut perhaps you will forgive this freedom,
and not wonder we should want to express
our feelings 10 some sympathizing friends,
when tell you why write claim you
as an old acquaintance of mine, and |
think you are of my husband, T. L.
NJ You no doubt have heard of
his fate and that of his brothers, and
others of our acquaintance long ere this
ii is to ask the sympathies and christian
prayers of our friends in Wilmington in
hchult of those innocent men, that have
been imprisoned already two long dreary
months, and no prospect of their release,
that ] write to you; and, also to asl, the
sympathies and christian prayers of our
friends III Wilmington in behalf of the
distressed and heart-broken families they
have left, and all the Union families Of
this vicinity Our distress of mind and
fear of the rebels is only increasing in
stead of abating. We thought when the
Federal army came here we would be safe,
bnt since then all the terror which before
We imagined has been realized. Our hus-
bands have been torn from our sides aud
sights by the cruel, unmerciful rebels. OF
all the families that came here from Mill
Creek Hundred, Delaware, not one hus-
band can remain at home, or if they do
it is in fear, while the secessionists feel
perfectly safe nnder the Federal Govern
ment. The army has been here more
than two months, and it does really seem
worse here for lis now, than it did before
they came, The Union men that escaped
Imprisonment have gone, over and over
again, and represented our cases TO the
Generals. They listen with perfect indif-
ference. The under-oiicers and soldiers
are eager and anxious to do, but they are
kept back by those that are superior in
power, but not in Judgment, l think
Gen Doubleday was placed in power in
Fredericksburg awhile. He was doing
all he could, he seemed to be the very man
for this place. The Union men were very
much pleased with his appointments. We
represented our situation to him he was
going 10 do all in his power; he was
about to have some Of the most influential
secessionists in Fredericksburg arrested
and held as hostages for our men taken
I prisoners but before he had time to ac-
: complish anything lie was turned ont oI
I Office here, and for what we do not know
without ii was he did not please some ol
the hot secessioniSts, and they complained
to the superior officer, and of course they
must be humored and pctted,
Well, dear friend, what are we to do
My husband has been away now tive
months, and have not heard from hin
but once lie wrote me few lines imme
diately after he arrived there, saving hi
was in Richmond, placed in the Tobacco
Factory with others. We know not
whether they are there or not now. We
have heard several times they have beer
sent away from there. Can there be no
thing done for their release Can ON
friends in Wilmington have no influence
in their behalf? They must really be il
4 suffering condition. ] think provision
is SO high in Richmond, that the unmerci
full rebels will allow the Union prisoners
To starye they are cruel enough for any
thing and we do know they are suflerin
for proper clothes, for they were take
away in their heavy winter clothes. The
have not a change with them, and VI
never have had an opportunity to sent
them any; We tried to do 50 but the
never reached them. We are unsafe her
now, the men are afraid to stay here. -
Three miles from Fredericksburg, ther
are no pickets out now AT all ; communicu
ton is free between here and the rebe
army this is why We do not feel safe
the rebels can hear of the situation of til
country and come in at any time, or the
can send in parties to carry off the re
manning 'Hl"H lltH. we dfe very nm
happy here, and | should not be surprise,
if every one of us should have to leay
our homes and go some place else 70
protection, or else turn to be strong dis
nnionists, which we never will Give II
yonr sympathies, your prayers, and you
influence in our behalf, and of our friend
in Wilmington This is what | ask i
behalf of the prisoners and Union fami
Hes here. Excuse this, and answer
you think proper
Your friend, A. S. NJ.