Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-05-07
Army Correspondence.
MURrREEsBoRo. TESs.,
April Is, '6S.

ing IN leS OWu cdcuBtus anu Bfduu,
even in its inactivity. I would not
have you understand that this army is
doing nothing. The reverse is true
Much is being done. Heavy reconnoi-
tering parties are constantly going out;
beside the work Of fortifying, picket
duty, DC. The main part of the
army. which is here, is compactly eu-
camped around the town. For miles
the fields are white with tents. The
sight is magnificent. Encampments are
neatly laid out. and profusely decorated
with cedar trees, planted IN rows,
squads and circles, giving the camps
an air of comfort and neatness, very
gratifying to behold.
How long we will lie here. where
we will go when We do move, DC, are
questions which Of course cannot an
swer. Evidently this army is now
ready to move, or il necessary, it is
prepared to stay here, and hold this
place against great odds.
The health Of the srmy is fine. Of
6cers and men. look cheerful, contented
and happy. Since the battle, hundreds
Of sick and inefficient officers have re-
signed, and perhaps all the, coward
| Iy and disloyal ones have been dis
missed. Inferior arms have been laid
aside-each soldier carries a rifed gun.
The army has unbounded confidence in
its leader, consequently the fighting
condition Of this army, was never SC
good as il is to-day; and when Gen.
Rosecrans says forward. this army will
move with a will almost irresistible.
If you have any "copperheads" al
home, who are fools enough to think
that our soldiers are tired of this war,
and would willingly lay down their
arms, upon terms anything short Of q
total crushing out Of this Internal re.
beIlion. and complete restoration o.
the Union, let me say to them, never
were men more sadly deceived.
That we will fight this thing to the bit
ter end, that we can, and that we viii
terminate this war, in Just the way We
wish it terminated-is the universal sen
timent of our soldiers. Another sen,
timent equally prevalent and prominent
in the minds Of our soldiers, IS this:-
That after armed rebels are laid in the
dust, and the flag of the Union made
to float over every foot Of the South
they will return, and execute such pun
ishment upon those traitors at home
who have sympathized with this re-
bellion, wished in their hearts for oul
defeat, and the destruction Of our glori
Gus government and country, as theil
crime deserves.
This is not child's talk, neither vii
it be child's play, when our army i:
disbanded and our soldiers return tC
their homes. Their hatred for Northern
traitors is immense; and such men a:
VaIlandigham and DR.. Olds, may find
even the strong arm Of the civil law toe
weak for their protection; while men
less conspicuous, but equally guilty
will at least be branded with the infa.
nous epithet-tory. have the finger o.
scorn pointed at them, and be voted
unanimously, unfit and unworthy Of q
place in decent society.
Late arrivals from Dixie" confirm
the reports OF suffering and starvation
in the South.
A part of General Reynolds COM
mand returned to-day, from McMin-
vile, bringing with them l40 prison
ers; among them one Lieut. Colonel,
few Captains, and the wife of Gen.
John Morgan. II all reports be true,
the expedition has proved a great sue
cess. t
Gen. John B. Turchin. reported to
Gen. Rosecrans for duty some ten days
since, and / understand that he has
been assigned to the command of all
the cavalry here. He left this army
last summer, discharged Colonel
He comes back to the scenes Of his
former triumphs and disappointments,
Brigadier- General, and is immediate
ly assigned to command only second
in Importance to the chief command OF
this army. Thus has justice triumphed,
and Turchin is vindicsted. He comes
back to US, finding the whole army do
ing those very things for which he was
court-marlisled one year ago. Gen.
Turchin took proper view Of this war,
and had a correct notion OF the policy
to be pursued when be first entered the
service; but the trouble was he was
eighteen months in advance OF public
sentiment, and the notions OF most mill
tary men. ..i..t. 90 81 3.....,
One year has wrought wonderful
change in the spirit OF our Dreams
Men, who one year ago, held up their
hands in holy horror, and cried-touch
not the negro, are now loudest 10 their
demands to have him used, in every
possible way to benefit our Govern
ment; work him, arm him, and let
him help us fight for our liberties, and
for his, say they. Generals. who one
year since, were very careful Of the
interests of rebel citizens, are now laid
on the shelf.
No longer are our sensibilities shocked,
and our hearts sickeped, at beholding
Union soldiers guarding rebel property.
Thank God, these times are passed;
but their memory hsunts us still.
The roads are good. and the wealth
er very fine. Our Division was re-
viewed BY Major General Thomas few
days since.