The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-05-07

triot can. He gave us a short speech, in
the fort, day or two before we started on
the expedition, in which he tartly remarked
that "if he had his way copperheais, would,
soon hunt their holes," and believe # all
our generals we're like him, they would
hunt their holes and call for the rocks and
hills to fall Ga them to hide them from the
patriots presence.
A day or two since, CHANGED to meet
Within ashamed to acknowledge--the
Chicago Times--the most infamous rebel
sheet in the North, land looking over it, 1
espied a parasrap, or two, on the FIRST page,
headed "Feeling in the Army You will
find in the Times of the 10th Of April. :
read it, as it was concerning the army on
the Tallahatchee, and now, in this letter, in
black and white, pronounce il libel, an
unequalled Liei There never was any such
mess of trash shown to the soldiers, in a
body. And if it ever emanated from that
army it was produced by a few sore-heads,
like the correspondent who sent it. It is a
libel of the basest, injurious to our army,
which we proudly boast Of being patriot
host. OF course, we have a few flint. heads
in the army but this has become a neces-
sary evil, and soon these viii see the snare
in which they have been caught by harken
ing to corrupt trash which too frequently
finds its way into their hands through the
influence Of their friends Such friends are
not true friends Instead of encouraging
their friends in the army to 'hold out faith.
full and battle for the principles of justice,
the heartless nabobs lift high their reeking
hands and lmplore for peace at whatever
cost, even though it terminate in the down.
fall of the. happiest model selfgovernment.
Yes, it is their keenest desire to thrust the
poisoned dagger deep into the heart Of, the
government which. has so long nurtured
them; they gloat over the prospect of a d.
vided Union and the ,quivering form of q
betrayed government Frustrated by their
criminal treason. Soldiers, if you have any
such friends, let me beseech you to discard
them, They are not your friends. jus,
tics is fast claiming her Dues, and soon,
perhaps too soon for the copperhead to un
coil himself, he will be shared. The trap is
laid wide, and If; you persist in following
the Shiny wake, your presence may be
needed in tribunal from which their is no
appeal Take warning in time, resist the
tempter and become again a man.
The Union League Organizations of the
North inspire the soldier with new hopes, =
We are happy to see that our friends are
not dead to sense of the wrongs about to
be perpetrated upon our homes, and tn at
they are speedily organ izing to assist the
soldier in bis prvations. 1t refreshes ener-
gies which were fast dropping beneath the
heaving clouds of treason, blown up in the
North. We are now encouraged to go on
in the good cause. The Northern political
sky is donning brighter apparel, and as the
angry clouds of dissension are being hurled
back, the clear scroll appears in sublime
purity, and the laughing stars twinkle in
happiness. Yes, friends Of the Union, give
us your encouragement and support and
we will brave the storms and not disgrace
you. 1 firmly believa that, if It were not
for the aid promised the Rebels, and the eff.
forts so earnestly put forth by traitors in
the North, to denaoralise our army, the in
stitution ofrebellion would be but food for
the historian in a short time s.s g y
The Conscript act takes well in. the army,
and we wish it enforced. The provisions
are proper and just, do not alter them. II
it be resisted, and assistance is needed
send for men who have sealed their devo.
ton to the national emblem, in spilling
their blood upon the contested field.
The Emancipation Proclamation is fast
gaining ground, notwithstanding the william
ious Tie perpetrated on our regiment -
There is negro brigade now forming al
this place The colored soldiers behave
themselves well, and are fast perfecting
drill. e-.si.'ls AaS aaiA" e Use 70
Exctementin camp to-day! Paymaste +
smlingly "doughing" over greenbacks =
He is paying up four months, and one re.
markable thing is that the payments are
made exclusively in One Dollar Notes
Officers going to have the order, allowing
only certain amount Of baggage, changed
Can't force all the "greens" INTO one
pocket tsf 'Taa @Aa 20 Aaa sss'sE
There are but few new cases of sickness
now in the regiment; those attending "Sur
geon CalP' being, for the most, old cases,
and they fast convalescing. g
90. B,-Capt Joy are detached from
the regiment, doing Provost duty in town.
Poster and fsmilv-who, few years ago
"run'' the Ourlew House in Ottumwa-are
residing in this place. have not learned
his sentiments. #m IHl1 ri q
Snn To be Continued aga 4
not this letter, but my subscription. Send
along the Courier, it is staunch cid I'm
ion friend and l can't spare it's company
II if3i lsEusau sf6's1e Respectfully -
s2td Y2 BILLY CALDWELL %
To a II ,.t e.. s#
j. w. NORRIS ESQ. glfaG2 Z
Proceedings of the DeA MOimes
River Congressional AssOcia-