Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-07-09
Army Correspondence.


month two years ago in response to the
first call for men to crush this rebellion. l
believe I left it with promise to write to
you occasionally. as interesting or anus
ing incidents might occur in our trials In
Dixie. Permit me here to apologize for
my long silence. and If in tho midst oi
weary marches in alternate heat and cold
now feasting and now almost famishing.
my promise to write came to my mind it
was speedily forgotten by being put aside
for more favorable opportunity. until at
last l have came to the conclusion that il
did not write soon. my term of service
would be over and my hnredeemed prom
iss stare me in the face. The 17th Regi-
ment, as yDu are perhaps aware. has been
mounted and newly armed with the spen-
Ger repeating rifles. is now one Of the best
in the service. Though the frst Regiment
in the three years service from state Of In
diana. we have not been in an. of the great
battles Of the war, we have always been in
the very front but strangely enough have
always been on detached duty, where the
great battles Of the west havo been fought
We have escaped them all, SO that though
We have grown veterans in our country's
service and in innumerable skirmishes, we
have still among us the familiar faces that
first started out with us. and but few of
our comrades have met q violent DEATH
But though we have not been tried in the
fiery furnace Of great battle. we have all
confidence that when the old Regiment Is
called upon for her share of the blood that
is to redeem our country we will not be
found wanting in courage and manhood.
The health of the Regiment j, excellent
Not one of The boys from Marshall County
is, believe, sick at present writing
Everything here is quiet. and hot days
with frequent showers is the order OF things
When not out scouting. we amuse our
selves watching the great armies Of the
Union in other fields. as the grim god OF
war claims his sictims amid the rush and
clash Of battles. We are spectators to all
these scenes OF blood. The army of the
Cumberland has not yet opened it's SUR
mer campaign and given its quota Of blood
to the page Of history. that. already dotted
with battles. viii through all time make
in the annals of our country the year
1863.
l see by the papers that the valiant edi-
tor of the Plymouth Democrat has got
himself into trouble with the military au-
thortiss by his outspoken and blstan,
treason. Why the government permits
such reptiles to hiss under its covering.
aid the rebellion with all the power their
cowardly natures arc capable we soldiers
in the field cannot see. No other nation
upon earth would permit. fof moment.
the utteranoe Of such treason as comes to
us from the copperhead press Of the north.
Cowards and traitors to the best govern
ment upon earth. there is no excuse, no
covering that shall hide them from the just
vengeance Of an outraged people and the
contempt of mankind. Cowardice and
treason 60 for to make up what is known
as the copperhead party. Cowardice. fo'
every man with spark Of courage in him
would take decided stand for either one
or the other side. Traitor or Patriot.--
Every courageous man is one or the other
1t remains for towards alone to make uE
mp the third party. Strange people these
Butternuts are, truly. They love liberty
they say. but will raise no helping hant
when the demon of treason assaults hel
Temple. They love liberty of speech ant
freedom Of the press but are too cowardly
to fight for and sustain those rights wher
assailed by armed treason. They are full
Of sympathy snd indignation when som'
traitor too blatant in bis treason finds tn,
heavy hand of an outraged government
laid upon him. But no word of sympa
thy falls from their lips when the southern
unionist flies through the dark night int,
the mountains-his pathway lighted b.
bis burning house. and his ears yet ring
ing with the shrieks Of his helpless wifi
and children as they were driven fort
from house and home 10 wander unit
charity takes them in. or they reach I'll
lines of our army. To hear them talk yo'
would think these copperheads the wors
abused people in the world. They whin
pitifully about federal usurpations: abou
the right of personal liberty; about fre
speech and free press. and are at the sam
time striving with heart and hand to uproa
the best Of governments. The main sprin
Of ell their actions is defe etion to th
principles efpoPular government. Of dem
ocracy. and love of traitors if not ,reaso
itself. They work and talk and fight fo
the success Of . rebellion that started on
with denial of the accepted truths Q
Democracy: . denial Of the God give
rights of man; rebellion that is strivin
Z BY force to over.urA the great fabric of thi