Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-02-27
Gen. Rosecrans' Letter.

Gen. Rosecrans has been one of our most
energetic and successful Generals. He has
been in earnest from the very beginning Of
the rebellion. His victories have been re-
peated, important, and decisive IN their
character. The resolution of thanks sent
him and his army from the General Assem-
bly, of Ohio. on the occasion of his great
victory after four days fighting at Murfrees-
boro, are replied to in the following sensible
and patriotic letter:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE }
CUMBERLAND, MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn,
February 3, 1868.
To the Honorable the General Assembly of
tie State Of Ohio:
The resolution of thanks passed by your
honorable body to the army of the Cum.
berland, its commanding General and his
Staff, has been duly received and published
to the troops of this command. On behalf
of all, return you heartfelt thanks.
This Is indeed war for the Constitution
and the laws-nay, for national existence
against those who have despised our honest
friendship, deceived our just hopes. and
driven US to defend our country and our
homes. By foul and wilful SANDERS on our
motives and intentions, persistently repeat
ed. they have arrayed against us our own
fellow-citizens, bound to US by the triple
ties of consanguinity, geographical position,
and commercial interests.
Let no man among US be base enough TO
forget this, or fool enough to trust an oil
garchy of traitors to their friends, to
civil liberty and human freedom. Volun-
tary exiles from home and friends, for the
defence and safety of all, we long for the
time when gentle peace shall again spread
her wings over our land but we know no
such blessing is possible while the unjust and
arbitrary power of the rebel leaders CON
fronts and threatens us.
Crafty as the fox, cruel as the tiger, they
cried, No coercion while preparing to
strike US. Bully-like, they proposed to fight
US because they could whip us five to one
and now, when driven back they whine out.
" No invasion :" and promise us of the
West permission to navigate the Mississippi,
if we will be good boys" and do as they
bid us.
Wherever they have the power, they
drive before them into their ranks the South
ern people, and they would also drive us.
Trust them not; were they able, they would
invade and destroy us without mercy. Abb
solutely assured of these things, | am
amazed that any one could think of "peace
on any terms"
He who entertains the sentiment is fit on
ly to be a slave; he who uiters it at this
time is, moreover, traitor TO his country,
who deserves the scorn and contempt Of all
honorable men. When the power Of the
INSCRIPTIONS rebel leaders is removed, and
the people are free to consider and act for
their own interests, which are common with
ours under this government, there will be
no great difficulty in fraternizaiion. Be-
tween our tastes and social life there are
fewer differences Than between those of the
people of the Northern and Southern prov
inces of England or Ireland.
Hoping the time may speedily come when
the power Of the perfdious and cruel ty-
rant of this rebellion having been over
thrown, a peace may be laid on the broad
foundations of National Unity and Equal
Justice to all, under the Constitution and
the Laws.
remain your fellow-citizen,
w. S. ROSECRANS,