Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-18
and they looked upon our army as their only

and they looked upon our army as their only
| friends.
| This was corroborated by Rev. DR.. Pierson,
seated in the audience, formerly President ot
Colledge at Princeton, Kentucky who, i'll the
the past 70 years, has travelled over nearly all
the Southern States. The DR.. asked the Gen
eral if be did not remember a circumstances
which occurred when our army was about to
cross the Cumberland for the first time. The
rebels were aware of our movements and sta
toned large force at ford masked their artl-
lery and secreted their troops in such man
ner that had not our forces been apprised OF
the danger dreadful massacre would have
ensued A negro, while the enemy was max
ing this disposition, secreted himself in the
grass, and watched every movement. The plan
perfected, the negroe crept from his retreat,
ran TO the house of Union man residing near
and engaged him to go and i.fornl our officers
of the trap. He did so reconnaissance was
ordered, and the negro conducted the com
mander to a hill overlooking the position of
the rebels and thus saved the army The Gen.
eral said he remembered this circumstance,
and then put-the following query to any Val
landighammer that might be present "Sup-
pose You were on picket, the enemy's cavalry
should come near, diSmount, and to take your
life or make you prisoner, and negro, ac-
quainted with their movements, should in
form you Of the danger, and your life was
saved, would you not feel kindly towards
him 20
The General then spoke of the Army of the
Cumberland said the people at home need
have no fears about it. Concerning the recent
changes made in the command of that army,
he said that while General Rosecrans had the
confidence and respect of the army, his sue
cessor, Gen. Thomas, was also honored in the
same way, and that whatever charges might be
preferred against General Rosecrans, nothing
could obscure the glory which Justly belonged
to the distinguished hero of Stone River. He
Ssld tnat no change Whatever could affect the
army-that its future career would continue
to be as brilliant as its past was glorious, and
that the honor OF giving the death blow to tue
rebellion would be given to the army now con-
centrated at Chattanooga
All that the army wants is Young, vigor-
ous men to shoulder their muskets and go
forth to till up the depleted regiments. Those
who preach compromise as a means of settling
the difficulty are talking treason there is no
such thing as peace except by crushing 0It
the rebellion. He saw before him men e.
nough to make three regiments larger than
any three regiments now in the field, and he
proposed if they were honest in their desire to
see peace restored that they enlist at once,
and help the army to accomplish its mission.
Alter brief aliuSion to the greatness and
glory TO our country land the still higher posi-
tion which awaits it in future, the General took
his seat amid loud and prolonged applause.
Mr.. Gardner then spoke of the absence of
Lit. Col. Commager, OF the 9th, announcing
that he had unexpectedly left the town, allu-
ded To the scenes through which that officer
and regiment, with the flag on the stage, had
passed, and the meeting adjourned.