The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-04-26
An nas. renne.see va, ..

CAMP TRIUNE, 1sT REe. TENN. CAvALRY)
April %, 1868.
Mr.. EDlroR:-Dear Sir.-Allow me to
write a short article for your most ex-
cellent paper, which has more character
in u camps than any other sheet. 1
claim nc position in the army higher
than a private, yet l know what East
Tennesseans have suffered; having had
to scout for four months before / could
reach the Federal army. And I think a
private soldier, if he demeans himself
aright deserves as much respect as a
Major General. The one exposes his
life for big pay, the other for a mere pit
auce; at least the private can claim as
much unbOught patriotism as the officer,
and that is all that should command re-
spect in a war like the present one.
We, as East Tennesseans, are pecu-
liarly situated. Our homes are in the
hands Of a bloody and cruel enemy. We
know not how soon the fends incarnale
may murder u fathers, and brothers,
and even our mothers and sisters, that
we have left behind US, They have
murdered the kind mother while attempt
ing to save her beloved so1, and why will
they not do the same thing again? Let
a man commit murder once, and he can
commit the same crime a second time
with more ease. But If they do not
abuse the persons Of our friends, they
will take their corn, wheat, and bacon,
those things they must have, or perish,
and leave them in a state Of complete
destitution-a condition more deplorable
than death itself
This is no overstrained picture, for the
rebels are now in a starving condition,
and every man OF sense knows they will
let their enemies suffer before they will
suffer themselves. How much the poor
soldier, cut or from all communication
with his home, fears that his wife and
little ones will suffer for the want Of
food, and how it gladens his haart TO
hear, through some poor refugee who
may have made his escape, that his
friends still live, aud have the common
comforts of life. Our only hope is that
the Government will Immediately relieve
our portion Of the State. Oh! what hours
Of anxiety TO the poor refugee soldier.
We are all waiting to see if the authori-
ties intend 10 send ms back in the direc-
ton Of our homes. II those who COM
mand as only knew how it would gladden.
our hearts, they would say, Go, join Gen.
BURNSIDE, penetrate East Tennessee,
whip the rebels, and hborate your homes.
Isometimes thinkthat we as soldiers have
been treated badly, yet am not disposed
10 complain. When this rebellion FIRST
broke ouS every public journal praised
the noble hearted East Tennesseans,
who, in spite Of all opposition, held
the Star ~Spangled Banner aloft,
aud claimed that they were loyal
And those ih power told us to hold out
for a short time, 4nd we viii come to
your relief, il we have TO come through a
wall Of living fire. Bot how is Il TO-
day Two long years have passed away
and cur people are sill pressed be-
meath a despotism more cruel than shat
Of Austria or Turkey. Rebel Middle aud
West Tennessee have been redeemed, at
least to a great measure. The Govern
ment has spread tho broad wing Of her
protection over the disloyal portion VI
the State; yet a people, who have ever
been loyal, are len TO grapple with the
gra monster Socesh. We don't Ike 20
Gshs oyer Ni@d!o Tennessee SOIL while
tie rebels are Insulting or friends and