Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-12

well known III your community. He is now
captain of a company OF Illinois volunteers,
having early in this war left his business his
family, and his home, which were in one of
the great cities of the west to do battle for
his country, for the government, and for lib
erty. He has endured many of the hardships
of soldiers life, faced death in the hospitals
and on the field of battle. Yet his words
have the ring of Il brave and true heart; and
in the hope that their courageous tone may
inspire like feeling at the present time, 1
offer them for your disposal.
A SUBSCRIBER.
"Frum personal observation | am satisfied
that nearly the whole of middle and western
Tennessee are bitterly secesh, and from actu-
al ignorance Of the questions of the day. [
was shown by gentleman, few days since,
a paper containing a spe ech, claimed to have
been made by President Lincoln, in which he
says :-'lf L am elected, pledge myself to
issue proclamation giving freedom to all
slaves" This and similar reports are spread
abroad and believed. But do not think this
state, or any other except South Carolina,
would have left the Union, had they for mo-
ment dreamed Of war. The people universal
ly believe the opposition to their withdrawal
would consist only of feeble protest from
the authorities at Washington. After the first
grand uprising at the fall of Sumter, they
could not realize that by their acts, war was
really upon them; and they felt, at best, we
would make but faint struggle. Their ewes
were not opened until after the battle of Bull
Run. The spirit in which we net that defeat,
and the unfinching energy which was mani
tested in our preparations for another cam.
palgn, gave them their first insight into north
ern character; for they we had accepted
the issue, and would battle it out. Said an
old man to me, only yesterday, 81 knowed the
victory Of Bull Run would make the south
ern people proud for spell, but knowed.
too, as soon as the first shouting was over,
our folks would begin to see that they'd walked
up mighty ugly critter-and they did"
You, doubtless, have wondered at the en-
thusiaStlc volunteering of the southern people
but there is no choice for them. When the
call for men came the land owners said $50
to thr war, or you cannot remain on my land.
will care for your families, and you will not
have long to stay" &c. There was no other
way for the people to do but to go, and they
went In this and all slave states a fow
OWE the lands.
country rebel property was held sacred, and
the people hardly knew that war was upon
them, for they sold everything saleabe at
round prices; but Gen Rosecrans is pursuing
different course with Mr.. Gentry, for he
forageS upon them without mercy; in short,
he is giving them a taste of war.
In this state a vast majority are ready to
return to the Unon as they cannot do any
thing with us, and only pray for the hour
that is to relieve them from the terrible trials
that are upon them.
Just the other side of themountains lives a
wealthy man, who owns an entire valley of
splendid land, something over thirty thou
sand acres. His influence sent hundreds into
the rebel ranks. When he came he waited
upon Gen. Rosecrans and stated that Buell. in
his visit did not mOleSt him at all, and trusted
that the same treatment would be extended to
him now-hoped he could go on in the cult
Walton OF his crops, &C., &c. The general
listened politely and answered "Certanly,
sir, you can raise your crops; | will not hin.
der you in SO doing" The man departed
highly pleased, not thinking of the help which
it was determined he should have in the har-
vesting of those same crops. Our brigade
happened to be the one sent down to gather in
an immense field of potatoes which were Just
ripening, and before we get through with him
uS Will lcCl SOiHc VI tIlc WUSS WHICH lie has
made his neghbors suffer.
Rosecrans will take care that the old traitor
does not have great harvest TO himself By
the wealthy secessionists he is most cordially
hated, which consider the best of evidence
of his fitness for a general.
The more | see of this country the more
determined | am to fight this question out.
If it were Gas some claim mere territorial
war, believe | would fight hard before [
would relinquish this splendid state. 1t is n
rich, beautiful land, and if northern enterprise
and energy could develop its resources, it
would soon rank us one of the brightest stars
in our constellation of states. after this war
is over many sturdy fellow in the army of
the Cumberland will return here to pass his
days and establish homestead for his chill
dren. You doubtless have often heard the
question asked, supposing you conquer the
south, can you hold them? Will they not be
at continual war with you? If the same pop
ulatou as existed before the war, were to in.
habit the country exclusively, there would
undoubtedly be continual war; but society is
to be changed-there will be mixture of
northern men and northern sentiment, so as
to control affairs. Relieved of slavery, i'm
migration will soon people its rich valleys with
hardy, treed0m-loving community, and then
distinct nationalites will pass away with its
old'co anu ldHuSu drlSlOCraCleS, anu on their
ruins will spring up a splendid nation.
thank God that l. live in this the hour of the
grandest struggle that the world has ever
known; that | can have something to do in
this great work.
Your heart, know, has been made GLAD by
the splendid achievements of our armies with
in the last few weeks. l wish you could have
been here when the news of Meade's victory
reached us, and heard the cheeringi Orr
boys gave many round for the army of the
east, and great praise to their bravery. We
had a time Of general rejoicing, and felt for a
while as though we could '"wmp all creation I"
Some of us were rather eXtravagant in our de-
monstrations, and in the excitement of the oc-
casion found myself making Il speech to A
squad of mules, under the impression that |
was addressing a delegation of copperheads
and democrats, and denouncing them for as
sailing government that produced such fine
fighting men, and after the cooling off OF the
enthusiasm and excitement could hardly per-
suade myself that l had made Ueyy serious
mistake.
GEN FREMONT IN MIssoURI-The follow
ing passage concerning Gen. Fremont's cam
paign in Missouri is from the rebel Col. Est
vans E'War Pictures from the South, recent