Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-17
Letter from a soldier.
CAM DAWN. Mna. AprIl %. IsI

.f4 NAMr DAVIhb, mieo's April 20, looS.ps
DEAR BnoTHfR: In your last you complain
Of my neglect in writing; but the fault is In
the irregularity Of the mails, for have written
again ard again TO you without receiving sny
reply. But the cause Of my not answering your
last sooner was on account Of being ordered to
march at the time received II. We were
called out with two days ratlons and forty rounds
OF ammunition. We marched sixty miles In
twenty. four hours, carrying our rations, rides,
ammunition, blankets, eto., with heavy boots
and many Of us minus socks, which made il
rather TOUGH. as we bad not marched any for
some time Weary and footsore, We returned last
night, and after one days rest hasten to reply.
! want you to tell me In your next what you
think OF the present state OF affairs, and
whether you or people In general, In the North,
think there is prospect Tor things turning
favorable in our cause. The reason why / ask
this is not without cause. think the affairs
aud opinions of the North are misrepresented
to us on purpose to blind the soldiers and mis-
lead them. have good reasons for my sus.
picion, aud desire the private opinion OF one
uninauenced by party. fa
You have probably seen the account of the
66th Illinois voting on the PREsIDENT's Proc
LAMArIoN-Qhat 10 our regiment; formerly the
Abb hObimVubO VI w " ~ u Dut W FGtuEUs LUIS
account was false, as to this regiment, as we'll
as to others at Corinth. There wOs certain
set of resolutions drawn up by the Colonel of
our regiment, and others who were present; but
the resolutions we're Of different nature from
those published 10 the northern papers. We
we're on " dress parade" when the resolutions
we're read to us. The Colonel then stepped for
ward add said, che wishsd all that desired peace
restored to our distracted country, under the
OLD CoNsrITUrIoN, TO manifest IL by saying
ave." to which We responded most heartily.
Three cheers were then given for the Con-
ttitution as Il ia, aud the Union as IL was-thus
signifying our assent TO O restoration Of peace
on the came bas that il was 10 the happy days
gone by.
don't wish you TO think me down hearted
or discouraged; but when am represented as
one of a regiment that gave their universal az.
sent to that Abolition proclamation Of one who,
in my opinion, has tyrannically usurped our
liberties, can not remain silent; aud thus we
are represented without even chance to defend
ourselves.
The time may come when we can speak for
ourselves. Then these falsehOods that are now
palmed off on the people will serve as blots on
the already blackened character of those who
mistepresent us to accomplish partisan cnde.-|
We are allowed none bat Abolition papers in
this part Of the army, II being TREASON for any
one to be seen wish any other kind. 1t seems
hard for us who have sacrificed our all, left
home and friends, borne the fatigueA Of march.
ing, shed our blood in battle, stood by our dy
ipg comrades, who are dear to US, suffer-
ed the pings OF almost rtarvaion, for the
undying love we feel and EVER WILL
feel for our beloved country, and have
those cOwARDLY, LAZY VILLAINS at home mis-
represent US, calling rs TRAITORS" and try
ing to cut off all our liberties, just because we
happen to differ from them in opinion. Oh, for
the good old times when the Administration
was not the Government-when it was not
"treason" to criticise those In power, if they,
as we thought, erred. We are willing to tac-
ri6ce feelings, but not 10 be forced to abandon
all Of our rights to those in power, not to be
trampled upon, nor 10 see that good old Con.
stitutioD, once the guide and textbook OF our
people, our Congressman and our Executive,
soiled, or worse, blotted out. On what will our
Government rest, If this foundation is torn
away Oh, that our people could be once more
a unit, d people, . law-abiding people, with
more love for their country, their Government,
the poor soldiers who ore fighting for them,
than Office, power, or the Nj @ Err. II the
Constitution be iorong, right II at the polle, af
ter we quell this unholy rebellion. But. being
weary, must elose-hopng to hear from You
soon. -