The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-07-31
CAMP 14TH IND. BATTERY,
Bethel. Tenn. July q, 1862.


MEssRs. EDITORS =" On Wednes-
day last, information was received that body
of rebel infantry and cavalry were prowing
about little town, some i2 miles from this
place-I have forgotten the name-wben the
commanding officer dispatched body of troops
to make them 'skedaddle." We left this lace
about A. NJ. and arrived at our destination at
ten, and found our "beloved friends" quietly
enjoying themselves, little suspecting that we
"abominable yankees, were so close upon them.
We drove in sheir pickeis, and having found
position for our artillery, we commenced Wig
orous fire. By this time their infantry had
formed in line, and the cavalry had saddled
their horses, and the former opened very in
effective fire. After an engagement of half an
honr, our infantry was ordered to charge upon
them. The rebels, not liking the appearance
of our bayonets, about faced and departed upon
the double-quick leaving all their camp equip
age, mules and wagons behind which, of course,
fell into our hands. Since that time, We have
heard nothing from them and suppose that they
have departed for regions more suitable to their
''peculiar tastes"
Gen. McCiernand has issued orders holding
all citizens living within two miles of the Rail
road, responsible for the condition and safety
of the road, and any person or persons violating
the instructions given in said order. will be Ii
able to suffer the penalty of death. They have
now in custody, at Jackson,a couple of citizens
charged with violating this order-of having
torn up the track, this side of Jackson, who
will, probably, suffer the extreme penalty of
the order,a several men were killed as the re-
suit of their villainy. This is the only way the
traitors about here, ever will be made to feel
the propriety of paying proper respect to these
orders. If more vigorous and strenuous poll
icy had been adopted when our troops fest en-
tered this State, the result would have been
more beneficial and encouraging to our army
and would have prevented all transactions of
this kind But as it is, they are impudent and
insulting, and Accord ngly our boys have to
take the law into their own hands, and chas-
tise them in the manner they deserve.
This (McNeary) Is one of the strongest I'm
Ion counties in the State. At the last election
they elected Il Union Sheriff by OUer 300 major
ity Orer all others. This gentleman, when
elected had to "take the bush, 'until,our troops
arrived, when he was properly installed. 1t is
also the home of the celebrated FIELDING
HURST, the patriot of Central Tennessee. As
soma of your readers are, probably, not aware
who this gentleman is, will give you short
sketch of him. He has been the strongest ad-
vocate for the preservation OF the Union, and
opposer of secession ever since the rebellion was
first inaugurated in this part of the State. Last
fall he made Union speech in Purdy, imme
diately after which, negro from Louisiana
was hired to murder him. Butthis hireling OF
unscrupulous traitors was killed by Mrs. Hurst,
while endeavoring to put his orders into execu-
tion. He was then arrested and sent to Nash
vile, and afterw to Columbus, whre he
was confined, to await his trial He remained
at that place until after the fall of Donaldson,
when he was permit ed to visit his family
being escorted by several soldiers and Cor
poral, Wisd ON of Purdy. When
they were ready to return, their prisoner was
not ready to be found. He next turned up at
Savannah, and proved of invaluable service to
our troops, as guide and leader of scouting
parties He is now raising regiment in this
and the adjoining county, and settling up"
old accounts, which, by the way, are very nu-
merous.
The more see of the Southern country, and
Southern institutions, the more l become con-
WINGED that slavery is more than curse to the
people and country. We find the poor people
of this State, the most ignorant, and miserable
set Of human beings that the world ever pro-
duced. There are DO public schools, and no
institutions of any kind, which seem to advance
and enlighten the poorer class, and in fact,
anything which tends to raise the people from
the low state ofignorance which now exists, is
opposed by the shareholders, with a vigor and
energy, that is worthy better cause, simply
because they think it would be injurious to the |
institution of slavery. There is also want OF |
that industry and enterprise, common to
northern farmers The farms present scene
of the most unmitigated neglect, and in short
the people seem to be too lazy to attend to
their own business, And why is tbis9 Sim
ply, because slavery predominates.
came here pro-slavery democrat, but now
an convinced that slavery and freedom cannot
both exist for any length of time in this coun-
ry. 1t must eventually be all slave or all free r.
erritory. Slavery is certainly incompalits 81