The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-09-11
Atng Gotreapo aleute.
CAMP OF Sd 0. V. G., NEAR BRrDeEl
PORT ALA, Aug. 2jth le63.}
DEAR PIONEER:

land Mountains.
On the 10Th Of this month our brigad
broke camp at Winchester Tenn, an
marched across the mountains to Stephen
son, Ala, the march occupying thre
days, distance about 80 miles, SO yor
see we made pretty good time for noun
tain travelling.
We found the Divisions of Negey AM
Rousseau in quiet possession. On til,
night of the 29d, we encamped on til,
Tenn. River, about four miles above th'
town, and on the 23rd came here, dis
lance of about six miles up stream. Oul
camp is on the summit of a wooded HILL
about leo feet high and about half mile
from the river. The rebel pickets and
patrols occupy the opposite bank, in what
force we cannet tell, but from the horses
they bring down to water, there are plen-
ty of them. Our pckets and theirs, fire.
quently meet in boats TO exchange pa
pers, and swimmers from either side ven
ture near enough to the hostile shore to
hold converse on the affairs of the day.
they say Gen. Joe johnson is at Chata.
nooga, and thai they will give us battle,
rather than give up the place.
A single glance at the map will show,
that it is the strategic as well Geographi-
cal centre Of tho Coniederacy.
Rail Roads diverge from here to every
r'gion Of the South; and its occupation
by us,would cut their main lines Of com.
munication with the gulf States. It's
Importance to US would make it worth
while to risk a battle for its possession -
East Tennessee, the most loyal portion
of the South, would be delivered from tie
iron rule of Davis, Benjamin & Co., and
North Carolina, already dissatisfied with
the Richmond despotism, would soon be
purgcd from treason. Once in this noun
tain strong hold, Gen. Rosecrans will b.
in position, to cooperate with Foster in
North Carolina, Gilbert in South Carroll
na,o or make demonstration on Richmond
to assist Meade. .E
On taking all things into consideration,
it is not probable, that we will be able to
occupy the place without another great
battle. We all expect it, but no one doubts
the result. This army was never defeat
ed, aud closely pressed as the rebels are,
| don't think they can mass force sulli
cIent to crush us. n
The army is in fine spirits and talk Of
occupying the ground Of the foe as con
lidenly as if it WAS a fore gone conclu-
sion.
One thing grieves and vexes us, and
that is, the DoIdn ess of the Butternuts al
home. | conceive it to be one of the
greatest OF our mslortunes, that the great
leader Of the Northern democracy, was
taken from us at tho beginning OF the
war. Had Douglas lived, his influence
would have bound together the discor,
dan! elements, and made the action of the
people united for the Union. Such dem
agogues,as Pugh aud Vallandigham could
not have made use of the name of De-
mocracy to disguise their treason.
Let the people remember the dying
words of tho illustrious senator. "Tele-
graph to the president, and let the col
umn move on" Words uttered in the
delirium OF fever, when the soul of the
great stateman was ready to take its flight.
Words fit to be the watchword of the ma
ton. "Let the columns move on" Did
it show that the great lawgiyer Of the De-
mocratlc party, was in his hours of health
and strength, meditating on the means of
stopping the war, lar from it. But they
will tell you, that the war has changed
from its original and legitimate object Of
restoring the Union. The object of the
war has not been changed, but the mode
OF prosecuting it has, and | thank God
for it. know how it goes to stand guard
on rainy night in early Spring, to keep
men from tying horses to the trees in re-
bel peach orchards. lhave seen large pla,.-
ta'ions being worked by slaves, and the
products turned into the rebel granaries.
We, who are here, can see that military
necessity, demanded that this element Of
strength, should be struck from them and
that the armies of the Union, should be
to fight rebels rather than guard
their property. But why try to convince
men whose prejudices blind them and
who are willingly led by traitors.
But the sum Of their vilainy is known,
keep it before the people. The copper
head leaders do not hope for reconstruc-
ton of the Union, on the basis of with