Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-09-10
A VOICE FROM THE ARMY.
" hat the Soldiers Think of Wisconsin Copper.
heads,


doubtless fair expression of the sentiments
of our soldiers in the field in regard to. the
action of the Copperhead Democratic Con-
vention of August 5th:
HEADQUARTERS Sd WIS. Battery
MCM1NSvILLE, Tenn, August 26.
DEAR HALvERsoN: Some days have passed
since I received your very welcome letter,
and the want of something new and strange"
to make communication interesting, is my
only apology for the delay in my reply.
From YOUR letter I conclude you are no
longer among those who shoulder arms in
defence of our Government, though | am
well satisfied your heart is, still with the
armies of liberty.
From the report of the Democratic State
Convention which has reached Us, | should
think there was nearly, nay, quite as much,
need of truly loyal men at home as among
the mountains of Tennessee. What are we
to say for ourselves, our State, and even those
whom we have classed among our friends at
home, when such rampant treason, open OPP
position to our Government, and loud-mouth-
ed SANDER against the noble men whose lives
have been, and are being freely offered, in
support of those principles which WASHING
EoN cherished, and the patriots of 10 pledged
themselves to sustain with their lives, fort
unes and sacred honors, is sounded like a
" bugle blast" from the "lake- bound" capitol
of Wisconsin?
We can with comparative Indifference.
brook a defeat of our arms in battle, or read
the insane rantings of the would-be Vice
President STEPHENS in his den at Richmond
but that such men as Fl. S. ORroN-to whose
services as a Champion of Freedom in days
past the State Journal pays noble tribute
and Judge Villas, to whom we listened with
pleasure no longer ago than last fall, while
he depicted with tremulous voice and fearful
eyes, the sad state Of our dear country, ex-
horting the people, for the sake of humanity,
of unborn generations, of Liberty and COP,
to throw off party chains, and come out for
the Government without any ifs" or butts"
to put their shoulders to the wheel and with
one mighty and united effort, crush the REBEL
ion, adding that then would be time enough
to daily with our little differences of opin-
ion which did not weigh a feather when COM
pared to the loss of " this heritage of ours ="
That such men, in so brief period, should
be found among those who propose to have
their own way adopted by the Administra-
tion or, as AM alternative, Withholding money,
men and every other MEANS required by the
Administration in the conduct of the war, is
indeed wonderful and saddening. Not one
jot or little more respect do | hold for men
of the north who entertain and publish such
views than for the prince, who encouraged
by their resolutions, puts forth new energies
to tear to pieces "this beautiful fabric, ce
mented with the blood of our fathers" anG
issues his "bulls" against our noble army
from the Capitol Of the rebellion. But, say
they, "you are Lincoln hireling,' mon
led emancipationist; you sold out the sacred
writ, you're tool in the hands of would
be, and even an accomplished tyrant, who
and would make himself King"
Poor fools that you could meet your jus
deserts, and instead of heaping insult and in
jury, mountains high, upon the heads of those
who are giving their very life-blood to pro
tect and keep sacredyour lives, yoor homes, ant
yoer property, reap the proper punishment O
| &c no &c +lo
who are engaged ia deadly conflict with thu
most accursed and causeless rebellions tn,
world ever knew. Say on, We Arnolds, tall
loud and fast, but thank the discipline brough
about by the glorious true champion of iber
ty who leads the army of the Cumberland
and whom your " chief apostle" Sat. Clark
berates as coward, traitor, &C., &C., tina
we do not break from our boundaries ant
mete to you the punishment you so Justly de
| serve.
| One consolation we have, even now
| thanks to none Of "your school y the yoic
givea us By the true men Of oar Legislature, n
the choice of rulers for oar State, and we have
and WILL use it, and when "water runs VI
hill of its own accord, or apples are founc
to flourish upon the oak tree, these men wht
utter the sentiments Of the leaders of the
convention which nominated FL. L. Palmer
for Governor, will, perhaps, receive the sup
| port Of the soldiers of the Federal army
Until then, watch out for repetition o.
| the response your " circulars" for votes re
ceived not year since. Think not it's be
cause we are all Black. Repu57icaus, that yor
are thus treated by the soldiers of this de
partment, for you know better than this
Many have always been Democrats, MANY
Republicans, up the & first gun )" now we are
the Sworn supporters Of the Government, the
Constitution, and liberty, scorniaeg all disti,ac
tie political titles, and rallying under the glori
Gus tri-colored flag, as patriots, to defend the
| best of governments against the assaults OF
vile traitors.
We were called the "mud stills" of society,
and g dung hills" &C., &C., for some years,
by those who have proved themselves your
superiors, by taking the field in defense OF
their faith; and it comes with i'll grace for
you to echo their " filings" at this late day.
The blood of many a brave and loyal man
will darken your skirts, when you present
your account at the bar of God and many a
widowed mother and orphan child will stand
by to charge you with the murder Of their
protectors, and sustain justice in decree Of
an eternal home among rebels, whose com
pany you so much desire, and whose inter
ests you keep such careful watch of now.
! hn,-n L., rnnccaSSinn On lattnr