Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-08-08
Sentiment Of the Army.

The following is from a letter written by
an officer in the regular military service,
now in the field under General Meade. He
He is descendant of one of the most dis
tinguished of the founders of the republic :
"Dear-- You see by the above that
we have crossed the Rubicon for the third
time in my experience, and Heaven grant
that it may be the last, for ! am in hopes
that this campaigne will give the finishing
stroke to the rebellion, and add a new vic
tory to the glorious succession that has
marked this memorable month of July, 1868
1--WE were alarmed by rumors
which were circulated in the army to the
effect that the Administration had stopped
the conscription on hearing of the opposi-
ton in New York. This cannot be true, as
such measure would be the proof of weak
ness that would soon result in the overthrow
of not only the Administration but Of the
government it represents.
Il think by the time we have come down
to the cold, calm view of the issues at stake
uncolored by excitement or the glorious ro-
nance of success that we all dreamed of
when the war first broke out.
"The war has become sort of monoto-
nous background to the life of the people at
home, and its existence is only brought to
their minds by the few wounded soldiers,
the military accOutrements in the shop Win
dows, and the big letters in the newspapers.
AT first it was splendid vision of glory
and conquest; and now long, dcadening
tax on their patience and pockets. 1t was
an excitement which the politicians laid
hold of, like that of the japanese, or the
Prince of Wales. 1t was a novel sensation
70 ip1 n ,,e i,,h
fish breast-rather pleasant than otherwise.
He attended meetings, and voted rcsolu-
tions; hung out huge piece of bunting,
and declared his intention of standing by
the constitution of his forefathers. Ofcourse
it was not necessary to go and fght-his
neighbor could do that, and he was not
needed; and with compound of false
patriotism and genuine selfshness he await
ed the result.
"But the result was very far off, and the
excitement waned gradually away-thou-
sands of brave fellows went to their long
account, and their places must be filled
filed by a draft and then the situation is
changed. Every one is liable to 90, and
the wheel of the provost marshal, stern and
memorable as the wheel of Fate, may roll to
every mans tiresidc and take him away I;
and then the politician comes out in his
true colors, and says: The people are their
own rulers the draft is unconstitutional,
the peole carry on the war or not just as
they please l have sometimes felt like
saying, o for Napoleon, a Frederic, or Il
Cromwell IA man stern and strong-cven
unprincipled, ii necessary-but still tyrant
for we have come to that pass.
1--WE have come to that terrible reality,
that we must fight for our name and nation
0Fty, as the stern old Nctherlanders fought
the good fight, until the canals ran with red
Dutch blood, which cemcnted the founda-
ton of free, brave, uncompromised peo-
pie.
1--WE must learn that the man who shOul-
ders his muskct is not doing favor to the
country, as the volunteer seem to think
but obeying right which the government
has, to sacrifice every drop of American
blood, if necessary, and then call for the
women when the husbands are dead. We
must learn that other nations have done it
before, in far less glorious cause, and that
the conscript is more the soldier in every
sense of the word than the bravest volunteer
that ever drew breath.
II should like to have had a regiment of
drafted men, for with proper treatment, and
good organization, they can be brought on
Il par with even our regular army"