Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-04-16
Army correspondence.
For the GalIipolis Journal.
HrAp Quax'sisrH BArrERr. o Val
FRlHKlfr. Tenn. April z. 'e3.

HEAD QuAR's 6fH BkfrERT. o VA.
i FRAsKlIs. Tenn. April 2. '63.
Mn. HARPER.-SrR:-Probably som,
Of the citizens Of Gallipolis. would lik,
to know Why il is. that the Editor o
the Gallipoiis Dispatch continues e
harp sbout my short communication tc
the Cincinnati Press. He would make
believe, the local item published in hi.
paper some time ago, and which re-
ferrej to 10 my communication, was
small matter for me to take offense at.
Now IL he intended that. merely, as a
local item, be should have been more
particular in localizing. and not have
given the citizens Of Gallia and Pike
Counties. to understand, that their
brothers and sons had violated their
oath, and deserted the army. when at
the same time they were enduring the
hardships of soldiers life. and per-
forming their duties cheerfully.
But, Mr.. Harper, here Is the sequel
to this whole motter. When the Editor
Of the Gallipolis Dispatch put that To-
cal item into his paper, he had then in
his possession, list of the deserters
from my Battery, which was sent him
by his correspondent "Korporeal," in
communication for publication. ot my
request. Now. why did he publish the
communication and not the list Of de.
serters? He never has informed his
correspondent. "Korporeal" TIE reason.
Was it because requested its publi-
cation? 1t could not have been, be-
cause he claims before nv communi-
cation to the Cincinnati Press, he was
nv friend. Was it because it was i'm
proper for newspapers to publish de-
serters? 1t could not have been, be-
cause all Of the leading papers do it.
However, some newspapers do consider
such publications crime. but I was not
inclined to class his paper with such.
I don't know. Mr.. Harper. what you
think about this, but it looks quite but
ternutish TO me, and I will be unable 10
see it in any other light. until he ex-
plains Uhy he did not publish that list
Of deserters, instead OF putting local
item in his paper tnat was an insult to
the ! 9th Ohio Battery as whole.
1 am, Sir. most Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
CHAS. C. ALESHIRE.
CAMP GAuLET. Va, March Sd, '63.
MR. HARPER-DEAR SrR:-Having
received numerous letters, Of which the
following extract is specimen, | con-
cluded TO answer them through your
paper. by your permission. These let
ters are from friends 10 Gsllia and
Meigs counties:
SALEM CENTRE. MEIos CO.. o.,
March 22d. 1863.
81 seat myself to write you few
lines II is reported here
that you have turned To be a rank But
ternut Democrat, and | want to know
The truth about it. The Democrats
here are rejoicing over it good deal.
They knew that you w-re such true
man here. = But cannot be-
lieve it till hear from you"
How such a report got in circulation
I cannot tell, but ] will say that it is
false. | never was. nor never expect
10 be Democrat of the present polili-
cal creed. There may he time when
| will turn Democrat, but it will be
when Democrats cease to lie and de- {
fraud the public, when in Office; when
they become loyal to the Union and
laws Of the United States, and when
honest men can be found in the party,
to control the affairs of the State and
Nation, uhen elected to Office, then .
there might be possibility Of my turn
ing Democrat. | am in favor OF vig-
orous prosecution Of the war, and OF
using any means necessary to put down /
this unholy rebellion. II it is neces-
sary, take all the property of rebels
lands, slaves and all. l do not think
the slave Of rebel is worth any more
than the life Of loyal soldier, end
this is the sentiment Of the officers and
men of the 9lst Regiment o. vi.
Yours, truly.
ISAAC WILCOX.
Private in Company B. 9lst Reg't.
From the Cincinnati Gazette, 18th.
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