Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-05-05
Letter from the 33aRes't.
HEADQUARTERS $50 RFGT Wis. Vol. +,
Camp near Memphis Tenn. Anrii ".

few Of my thoughts and observations upon
that all absorbing topic, ''the war;" which
you are at liberty TO dispose Of as you
deem best-Ihat is you can read and use
them, or pass them by unread, and un.
noticed, without disappointing the writer.
The health OF the regiment has consid-
erably improved since March 9th, at which
time it left Moscow for this place ! he
toys are in fine spirits, and all officers aud
men seem to be longing for an opportu-
nifty to do something that vii tell III
conquering The rebels and traitors, and in
establishing the authority and power Of our
government.
The men in general seem to take mach
interest in the company and battaIlio"
drills. and within the last few days, great
improvement is percei,ahle. The weather
is warm and exceedingly pleasant, the
roads are good, aud the country is again
clothed in green.
Our camp is upon land just rolling
enough to render it beautiful aud health :;
cur tents are good and new, and we have
plenty to eat; so can not ANYTHING I"
prevent our having pretty good time, at
least while we remain here.
1t has been so long since | have been
able TO do my duty as soldier, that the
BOYS may o. jet TO my chasing myself
with them while speaking of What the reg
iment has done, is doing. 10 going to do
or Is DESTROYS OF dong, by using the pro-
nouns are, as and orr, Int rs an, equally
as much interested AS they, | hope that
they will pardon me, if found guilty, even
though nv power to act is not at present,
equal 10 that Of n great majority "f the
company, d, which has, | believe, SIX men
unable to do duty.
During most of the past winter have
been unfit for duly. but as my disease is
rheumatism, think that am in 40 i'm
mediate danger; aud that although ma>f.
OF course endure some pain, yet while
many poor soldiers IRE now sutf -ring far
worse with feveis, mortal wounds and the
various maladieS and casualties which are
ever attending the habits aud lives Of all
soldiers, causing them the most acute pains,
aud pangS of Sutf rings, | have no reason
TO Complain; and as | am only one Of The
sacrlficers. and my disease only one Of the
many inconyenienceS from which il Il nee
esSarv that We should suffer. IN order to
successfully carry on war a. gigantic
As the one in VIII ich We are now engaged.
think that | have no reason to he lia-
bealfened nor discouraged. And il is Iny
wish aud Intention To do all IN my power
10 sustain or government, and l.: the
end, To secure perfect freedom and free
.peech. except in times of war. 10 every
m4n. woman and child. OF whatever na-
lion, color or complexion. who claims a
home, or Processes desire to have one IN
any part % any one II these once partially
United States, people Of which Coin
pose nation once great and powerful but
with an ulcer at ltS heart, whlch has ever
since the birth OF the Republic. been fys-
tering and working the ruin of a govern
ment which has lead all others; yet for
a long time, its people we're prosperous
and happy; but now The p ,iSonous matter
is bursting forth, its dread effects are loom
ing up before US, and ruin is staring us in
the face, aud the great nation Is apparent
" suffering the throes and of cath but W.
hope that honest men >killtul surgeons are
treating the national ea,e. on If not SO now.
we hope that soon God f,sarlng men may
be chosen 10 prescribe for and direct the
aft, of the country We SO dearly love;
and We hope that 10y paying the penalties.
Inflicted upon Us as nation, for STRIVING
10 pervert the laws Of God and nature re-
lief may speedily come 10 its sorely sfflc
ted peoI l.. The ulcer III the nations
heart is slavery. TIE suffefings caused
by, and the burdens of this war, are the
pains We are caused to endure, and the
penalties we are forced to pay. by this all
degrading, nation ruiulng institution; th.
curse of which. 10 destroy root and branch
| would freely givemy life. CoutI gain
such an end, or do SO much good, conii
We ford to make such sicrific-; the nj
couli we'll spare me if | coull srcurr to It
rep SO great a privilege, As that Of living
and growing without molestation IN
knowledge. truth and the power Of doing
good.
Bat it is not for ne to he instrumental
in doing 50 much good. and AT present and
Tor some time past, ! have been unable to
do any thin III tile line Of a private soldiers
duty, vet it is not mine To niurmur, hui
to want ill God makes known to me what
he would have me to do. BY giving ma
strength and an opportunity TO do il; then
| viii endeavor 10 obey the command,
"wl,atsoeyer thy hand findeth to d. tiia'
do with all Thy might"
In my opinion the war will close when
our people repent ieiore God, vt the SINS,
committed by cauntenancing and perpetu-
ating. in WAYS too various TO mention, the
greatest Of evils. that Of reducing human
b-iugs to he degrading bondage o slavery.
We All knew il TO be wrong. that Heaven
could not approve our course; therefore u
WAS our duty tospeak aud lator faithfully
against its extension or perpetuaiion, hui
We did not do that great and Imperative
duty. and now we are paying the penalty;
SO knowing it TO be jnst, to be the pun