The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-06-24

WILLIAM MEDlLL, Pres t.
AMOS LAYMAN, Sec VI.
FROM HOOKER.S ARMY.
Soldieriag on the Rappahannock- Chdn.-
ces for Gtory-A lgarlikc Peopfe-Ap-
peol for did IN behaf of the Original
Leagaers, etc, etc.
ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
June II, 1863.
EDITOR STATEsMAN:-Through fear
that our friends may feel anxious for our
welfare out here ''among the pines, drop
you line to ease their minds, and at once
assure all those troubled with nervousness
on our account, that all are @as we'll as
could be expected, and in the full enjoy
ment of most mastery inactivity"
Truly, to be soldier in this Department
is no great shakes, and I would suggest,
as Uncle Sam is accommodating enough
to give his brave sons, who voluntarily
go forth to do battle, a choice of location,
to pitch their tents in this section of Dixie
| feel confident that newcomers cannot
fail to be delighted with soldering after
nine months campaign among US; and
if every one Of them don't return home a
|'kernal,' will guarantee the majority
to return confirmed nuts covered with
a shell of cheap glory at that. There has
been great deal of"glory" returned home
from this army,I am aware; but there is
! plenty left, and "dog cheap We manu-
facturc the article out here, from the raw
material, and for fear Of shrinkage, plaster
it OF thick. The last stock we used up
was rather green, but Yankee ingenuity
succeeded in making it salable, more es-
/ pecially that portion manufactured for for
eign markets We are great people, we
Army of the Potomac, and warlike peo-
pie, numbering great many braves, with
countless chiefs; reside, principally, on
the banks of noble river, to the sssunny
side Of which We sometimes migrate, but
being of domestic turn Of mind, as often
return. 1t may be that our people will
in the course OF time, take along journey
into the s.wildernes." Our head priest is
also of opinion that we will eventually be-
come travelled tribe, if he can succeed in
seducing us from the sayory scent of oul
: fathers kitchen. s'Soft bread" he in
forms us, is very unwholcsome, and has
a demoralizing tendency; in consequence
of which belief he recommends a change
of diet to ham, after which strange god he
recommends faithful and ,diligent search
j Now, we are very humble aud obedien,
; set of braves, but it won't do to try ano
cram Ham, or any of his. descendants, into
our .ssoft bread-basket." by long shot
4 That's what's the matter. If there are
any ambitious candidates for initiation into
our holy brotherhood, would say to them
come now, come Immediately, armed with
1 password, signs aud grips of the Omitted
Universal, Union saving, Soft head Leagu,
and join with us in opposition to any and
all who seek deprive us of the much
loved r'loaves.' We are the only simon
pure "Lcague" in existencc---the old Xxx
original League-s'born amid thunder and
baptized in blood, and if we cant lick
& the butternuts aud eat soft bread. who in
thunder can? Don't tarry in the 'scity Of
4 sin, else ye be damned, but
Like true soldiers who love their eaze,
i Come and be one of us;
4 We revel in soft bread and cheese,
Every SON of.a gun OF US.
We'll, if keep on much longer in the
above strain, may create the impression
that we are not such great people Out
here, after all-that we are too hight heart
ed, and (taking myself for example) too
hght-headed for the grave responsibilities
we have assumed; that we dance too much
and work too little We do dance some,
but who would not dance when uncle
pays the piper. 1t molly costs him $3.50, )
UUO per day for our tribe; cheap. dance
house, isntit? e
/ There is but very little transpiring here
to interest the general reader; cavalry
!. reconnaissance once in a while, artillery
duels at long range, and electioneeriny
drills at all hours, make up the items.
A new system of tactics has been intro
duced, the authorship ofwhich is generally
accredited to Forney, of the Chronicle and
Press, by means OF which he hopes to line
his pockets and pleass his master. He
manages, through the sspowers that be, Z to
monopolize the army circulation with his
paper, having full power, or which is the
same thing, his agents have, to confscate
I all other documents as contraband. No
wonder he crows loudly over his increas-
ing circulation in the army. 1t is not
love for his hireling sheet, but necessity,
which compelst the soldier to pay ten cents
copy for it. They must read, and it is
: the only alternative. q
/ We expect plenty Of fun here shortly.
The boys think our managers are making
preparations for a grand pedestrian per-
formance, to wind up with a hurdle race.
The track over which this is to come oil
is, of course, contraband, but it is gener-
ally believed the winning post is located
in sight of Washington. When it does
come off, I will give particulars. s.
Respectfully, sTYPO." 4