St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-07-16
LETTER from MRS. aWlsSHELm.

.ITTsR from ms. sW1ssHELm.
Regular 3cor..pon dt"ee s.s ! /,
/ / SwAsHlxoros, July I'd, 1858.
Dean WlLL,-1 wrote few days ago,
o N, from Philadelphia whittier
lad gone on my way home for weeks
rest and to bring her. My feet arc suff-
.ring from SO much walking in hospitals
md I thoughtI could rest them travelling
aud get back here before the next fight
should ell the wards with new patients.
Those have been specially attending are
out Of danger or dead, and l wart 50 much
to see St. Cloud if but for one day and
bring N, that l blinded myself to
the magnitude IF the rebel invasion of
Pennsylvania-thought I could 60 and
come baak while Lee was getting forage
and be here before the fight he mi ht
have near Harper's Ferry. Preached Phil
adelphia on Saturday night, ten minutes
too late for the western train, and in. the
morning found such deep seated convio-
ton that there would be a great battle at
Harrisburg, that I waited for it two days
20 that I might go and help tend the
wounded. When Tuesday morning came
and no fight, but news that the rebels were
falling back toward Baltimore, I conclu-
ded their object was Washington and
thought if I did not return Immediately
I should probably not get here, as the rail
road was menaced. I came to. this con-
clusion on the street, and, without saying
goodbye to any one, took the first train
and came on.
My opinion still is that Washington is
the object Of all this Pennsylvania inva.
sion-that it was simply flank movement.
Whether it will succeed and Washington
fall into the hands Of the traitors remains
to be seen and to my mind is exceedingly
doubtful. Harper's Ferry has been evac-
uated by the Federal troops, the guns spik-
ed, the magazines blown up, the forti6ca-
tions part tumbled and troops removed,
which shows that the Union leaders do
not hope to capture the invading army,
and invite them to leave. A great battle
is reported as going on to-day, near Ship
pensburg, between the army Of the Poto-
mac, Injured to defeats, and Lees exultant
troops. The fact that the Pennsylvanians
went to ditch digging and crept behind
mud walls instead of each one turning out,
with such weapons as he could get, and
shooting his rebel, shows that they will
not follow up their invaders with anything
like energy, if they do it at all, and l
should b. nothing surprised to have the
remains Of Mead's army come pell NELL IN
here in day or two as Mcdowell S and
Pope's did from Bull Run. If that army
is defeated nothing can save Washington
but the hesitation Of the rebels and I think
they will not hesitate for there are rebels
enough here to attack and betray forts
enough to let them in. It is thought
treason here to utter such sentiments, or
give voice to whisper that the Union
cause is not going on swimmingly; but
at the risk of being called traitor, coward,
croaker, I rciterate what I believe to be
the possible danger Of the present hour.
l do not in any sense despair Of the Re-
public. l have no less trust in God than
those who think it treason to expect, or
admit the possibility of anything but VIC
tory; but God works by means, and I do
not see that He has as yet directed to the
means Of victory. He has not given us
repentance for past sins. AS nation We
are still oppressors Of the poor. 1t does
not shock US, as people, that innocent
persons, born poor under the protection Of
the laws Of Free States should be forcibly
carried into slavery. As people we
would offer up millions Of American citi-
zen as a sacrifice to win back the CON-
thercial copartnership Of an organized band
of man thieves ane pe9.red traitors
What right have we to expect Gods
blessing on our arms? 1.'
Men talk of trusting in God just as if
We had some claim upon Him, when the
fact il that utter destruction is no more
than this Government deserves at the
land of Eternal Justice. Thus far God
has been fulfilling His threatenings Of