The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-31
HglpQ'Rs s0rH Iowa INFANTRY.
'orB BRio-, lsr Divy lbrH Army CoRrs
Yours, DC.

W AlhtT MISS, July "a, 90
Ma. DEAR SIR: This evening /
was sgreeably disappointed by finding
letter from you IN the matt. IT was very r
but none the less agreeable
on that account.
You are well aware that for years my
vote has always been in opposition to
yours, and have no assurance that we
should agree on many points of State pol
icy now, but am proud to extend to you
the hand of fellowship in the great un-
dertaking of destroying this monster So
cession. The manner in which you speak
of my Gate City letter is, of course, graf
flying, but perhaps is little two fat
tsring. In that letter it was not my aim
10 speak my own sentiments alone, but
those of the whole Regiment and army as |
far as they came under my observation. !
was not at all surprised that some Of my
former friends charged me with office
seeking, for epithets and abuse always
have been made use of to supply lack of
argument. 1.-THE statement be true, near
ly every Democrat in this army has turn
ed Office seeker, for the sentiments CON
tanned in that letter are their sentiments.
just before leaving Millikins Berd Mai
Gen. Steele, an old Democrat, said that
if any one had told him year ago that
he would ever endorse such sentiments
he would have been tempted to shoot him.
Gen. Sherman expresses himself in like
manner. Now, am willing and anxious
that these self elected Judges over my ac-
tons and motives should know that
have no anxiety for their friendship.
! have enlisted in this war for three
years, and will never leave it while life
and health permit me to remain until re-
belllon is crushed. | have already risked
my life and health in several hard fought
engagements, and while am writing this
am liable to be called at any moment to
face death at the cannon's mouth. NV
blood has stained one battlefield, and the
next may be my last. None can tell. |
counted the cost and expected. when |
started, TO fight, bleed, and even die to
save this Union intact. While such il
my purpose aud intent can |, as a man
OF any common sense, look at men whose
course fayors disruption as any other than
my enemies. They encourage the rebels
IN their uuhoiy undertaking by their ex-
pressed sympathy. The rebel army is
encouraged and sustained by the repeated
assurances of their leaders that the North
ern sentiments being divided. They quote
Richardson, MahoDy, Vallandgham, Cox,
VOORHEES,, and others of this ilk, in tones
OF triumph. The admirers and defend
ers OF these men are equally guilty with
them. They then are guilty Of OPPOSING
cause which deemed worth risking m
life Tor. How, then, can | call them else
than enemies, and as such, place no esti-
mate on their good or evil opinion. I
wrote two carefully prepared letters to
Mon'rose to these who always before an
swered me promptly-they never have
been answered. Those letters were writ.
ten IN As gentlsmsnly and friendly terms
US was capable of using. Ii cannot then
be that they took umbrage at the manner
lua' as natural consequence, the infer
enee Is drawn that the matter in them
contained must be the rock of offence-
Inc sentiments l claim to be truly loyal
Ahhough not clothed 10 the language Of
crittendsn, Wright, or DougI.. mo-,
YET IN the eioquence Of Broacb D,cl;n
SOB, or Butler, still from their
and truth defy an answer wb,,h -,
be considered reasonable or ss,;se..
ny any sensible impartial Judge. L.,
not those foolhardy men who are oppossd
70 the war think that their opposition ca n
stay its impetuous course. They u,av a.
Well endeavor 70 stay the hand OF the
God Of nations. They must either 90
with thus uds, which preslains freedom