The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-01-30
Letter from Illinois.
ROCKFORD, ILL.,, Jan. 10, 1868.

five. | omitted to mention as man OF note,
the member elected for this (the 2d) district,
Col J. F. Farnsworth, the distinguished COM
mander of the S,h Illinois cavalry. This
corps has been attached to the army of the
Potomac throughout the arduous campaign
in the Peninsula, Eastern Virginia and Mary
land, under Mcclellan, Pope and Burnside,
and only echo the voice of the army and
the country when say that for bravery, ac-
tiyity and daring, it las no superior, if it has
an equal among all Our volunteer troops. 1t
has seen abundance of hard service in the
campaigns alluded to. so that its strength has
been considerably reduced; but it has never
been surprised or defeated. 1t is more than
match, in every respect, except in the mere
matter of riding, for any equal number of
Stewards notorious rebel cavalry corps.
Several of the men of the Sth belong to this
city.
We are just beginning to get satisfactory
details Of the battle, or rather series of bat
ties, Of Murfreesboro, in which our 18th was
engaged. Letters from Col Marsh ard other
, officers, as well as privates, have just been
received, some Of which are published in our
city papers. All agree in SAYING that the
18th, though belonging to the right wing
under McCook. which experienced so serious
disaster on December 81, and though
raw regiment, commanded by inexperienced
officers and never before under fire. save in
few preliminary skirmishes, behaved with
admirable sallantry. Although the troops
on its right were by the suddeness and vigor
of the rebel onset. completely routed and
driven back, it never retreated until ordered
to retreat, and no farther than ordered. 1t
met of course with some casualties. Capt
Ward of our city was severely, but it is
thought not fatally wounded. One other
captain was wounded. The latest accounts
represent the loss of the regiment at s killed
and 81 wounded, and about an equa! number
missing. Among the killed was very ex-
emplary Young man OF this city. who belonged
to Capt Wards company, the Y. NJ. c. Asso-
citation Go. and who, as well as his captain.
! belonged to the list congregational church
here. The young man was respectfully con-
nected and is greatly lamented by all who
knew him.
The Legislature of this state is now in ses-
sion at Springfield. They have already filed
the vacancy in the l. S. Senate occasoned
by the death OF $. 4. Douglas, by the cleo
ton of VIM. A. Richardson. q Democrat
| probably not the best nor the worst of the
class that aspred to the place. The Repub-
| licans voted for orr excellent Governor
Yates but they are in decided minority in
both branches of the Legislature. BY the
way. the message of Gov Yates, at the open
! ing of the session, is i most admirable docu-
ment, full Of important statistical information.
showing the uaPxampeI career which the
state is running in population, in wealth and
] Il
and prosperous people. | intended 20 EN-
! body in this le.,er som. OF the facts which
shadow forth this wonderful development
but want Of space compels me TO limit my
self to one only. that Is. the increase If our
metropolis, Chicago. A recent census shows
the population OF that city TO BE- about 49,
! 900. | think equal TO tina. Of New York in
1920. Inc success of the Democracy in this,
AMI two or three other great states last fall,
apparently unexpected, seems to have so
eated the leaders that they are fairly beside
themselves. Nothing is too daring and reck-
less for them to venture upon. Sympathy
with treason, opposition 10 the war in which
we are engaged to put down rebellion against
the Government and the integrity of the
Union, are rearing their horrid trent even in
Northern Illinois. The Chicago Times
which assumes to give tone to the party, has
become thoroughly revolutionary and talks
out treason without disguise. It has recently
attacked, in the bitterest manner. New Eng
and. her observation-disclosures and civil
her Puritan character, her inhabitants, and
even the men of New England so thickly
scattered over the whole West 1t asSaied
large number of the clergymen of Chicago
because they reflected the spirit and temper
of New England. In short that paper came
out boldly for a reconstruction of the Union,
eaving the New England states out entirely
You will scarcely believe it, but it is true
that this precious scheme was put forth BY q
renegade son of Vermont.
Then, on the assembling of the Legislature
at Springfield, the same spirit showed itsel
IN an unmistakable manner-Democratic
caucuses were held evening after evening, in
which the most revolutionary speeches were
made to applauding hearers and it really
seemed to calm looker-on, as if these
traitors were determined to rush Illinois on,
OF the Union at once, and range her under
the banner of JEFF Davis. But fortunately
these men reckoned without their host. The
rational loyal men of the party began to re-
fleet on this course as utter madness. They
began to demonstrate and finally TO denounce
the conduct of these fre-brands. Whether
these men mean all the treason they talk has
been doubted by some. They mean mischief
OF some sort beyond doubt; they are bitter.
" hostile to the Presidents emancipation