The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-10-09
A Base Slander Exposed.
headquarters Depot Camp Mculid Corps,
Mel7dmn HiU. D. c.. Sent Is. 1863.

Mr.. T. j. BIGHAM. Pittsburg, Pa.
SIR: | have noticed in the newspapers a
report Of mass convention held in Pitts
burg on the 10Th inst, in which you are rep
resented TO have said, in response to an in
duiry of one Mathews, as to where Wood
ward (meaning Judge Woodward, the Dem
ocratic nominee for Governor) was when
Curtin was attending to the soldiers wants !;
''that when Judge Woodward's gallant son
came home from Gettysburg, wounded in
both legs, his father told him he might be
thankful he got off so well-that he ought
to have been wounded in the heart for fight
ing III such cause"
AS my only brother capable Of bearing
arms, who has made two campaigns with
the State militia, has never been wounded,
lpresume that am the son of Judge Wood
ward alluded to in the foregoing statement,
which statement | desire TO brand, as you
knew it TO be when you made it, wicked
and deliberate falsehood. A cause SO weak
as 10 need such assistance must be weak in :
deed. A man so lost to honor and decency
as to use such means for partisan ends de-
serves to be drummed out OF respectable So
ciety.
AS the Lieutenant Colonel commanding
the I'd Pennsylvania Reserves, parricipa-
ted in the battle of Gettysburg, but was for
tunate enough to escape unharmed, except
slight injury TO my right foot, in which |
had been wounded during the Peninsular
campaign.
Just after the fall of Sumter, in the spring
of 1861, finding that war between the two
great sections Of our common country was
inevitable, under the call of the President
for three years volunteers, [ raised COM
pany in Philadelphia, which afterwards be-
came incorporated with the I'd Regiment
Pennsylvania Reserves. Any one familiar
with the business of raising volunteer or
CARNATIONS knows it to be an expensive un-
dertaking. Every cent that my company
cost, with the exception of the small amount
that my limited means enabled me to devote
,isS i,''1s erSl my 1atiits IL Bs.f -
Woodward. During all the time that elaps-
ed before my company was mustered into
service, lived i'll his house, and had, so far
as | needed it, his cooperation in my en-
terprise.
AS Major of the Cd Pennsylvania Re-
serves, participated in the Peninsular CAM
paign, and was wounded at Charles City
Cross Roads, in the right foot and left leg
by which wounds I am crippled for life
was taken prisoner, confined in the Libby
prison in Richmond, and, after being parol-
ed, was taken to my fathers house in Phil
adephia, where, for four weary months |
was confined to my bed, suffering intensely,
but with that suffering alleviated and final.
ly relieved, by not only the best medical
skill, but also by the constant, kind, un-
wearying attention Of my father, mother and
sisters. During all that time, as indeed dur
ing my whole life, no father could be more
kind, more solicitous for a sons welfare,
than was mine. Almost daily conversations
occurred between us, in which the war, and
the present and the future of our country
were discussed; and, although he freely
criticised, and often condemned, the manner
in which the war was managed by the Ad-
never did he utter sentiment
in sympathy with the doctrine of secession,
nor syllable of approval of the course ta-
ken by the people of the South; and never
did he say aught which was not calculated
to encourage me in the performance of my
duty as a soldier.
| have been thus full, sir, in my refuta- !
ton of your SANDER, not because you need
Or deserve this kind of attention at my
hands, but because this refutation must be |
made as public as was the calumny, and |
desire the public to have the exact truth in
regard to this matter.
In conclusion, sir, [ will remark that it
is poor encouragement to our soldiers in the
field to find that while they are toiling and
fighting for their country, lying politicians
at home are using them as the instruments
Of their partisan malice, and such an in
stance as this is fair illustration of the
pretended love for soldiers which certain
parties parade so constantly. That love
must be sincere indeed which, while it over
ays the soldier with fulsome adulation, stabs
10 the quick all that he holds near and dear.
GEo. A. WOODWARD,
Late Lieut.. Conadg. I'd Pa. Reserves,
MAJ. Invadd Corps.