The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-06-13
Letter from a Rebel.
INTRODUCTION.

nave recently very unexpectedly recely
ed from J. Gill SP1vEr, formerly o
this place, but now an officer in the reb
ell army. with my reply thereto. pre-
sumo IFS publication is within til
bounds Of propriety, for he has volun
starily given me The liberty to "sho,
this letter to any persons who ma
wish to see it." and the requests L
peruse it have already been numerous
These extracts contain all OF the lette
tina, is of interest TO the public
have taken the liberty 10 insert iw,
or three words where they had beer
omitted in The original.
]. w. ID.
THE LETTER.
HD. Gas. LIST. ARKANSAS CAvALRr.
Vicksburg. Miss, May 9th, 1868.
JOHN w. DAY.
Gsar Sir write to you because
you are the on..y person can write TO-
that can now think Cf. without leading
TO suspicious. which wish 10 asoid. L
rs my desire that those Interested IN NE.
IN any manner mhatever, may hear iru!m
me.
am III command of lhe Isl Arkansas
Cavalry at present, in the absence of
senior officers.
When | left you all. which | am now
satisfied saved my life from the re-
ports We have of the MANY of like sym
palhies as myself nho have lost their
iives-I had no idea of n'eiing The
army; but desired only 10 fni safe
Place 10 remain until the war was over
But upon The change of policy Of tie
Federal Administration from a war OF
constitutional limits, 10 war OF subju-
CATION and ruin, hesita,ed no loager,
and entered tie ranks as private; bat
was soon promoted 10 Aljutant Of the
l6sh n. c. Reg't., afterwards made
Captain by order of Presii' n; Davis,
and transferred TO Isl Arkansas Sharp
shooters and afterwards was made
Assistant Adju.an. General. and then
: transferred to my present command.
have been through mos, of the bat
ties fought in the Wesi. having been
swice wounded. and captured at Corinth
last October. Twas confined in Nor.h-
ern Bssiiles for several months. but
finally exchanged. But of the fights l
have been in, none equallei in bloody
tierceness. the fight week ago a. Por;
Gibson or Grand Gulf, where our big
ade and another one held Grants whole
army in check for abou: 10 hours. If
he had advanced, he would have cap
tured us all.
Let me make prediction. Gen
Grant WiU neyer take Vicks6urg. L.
may be evacuated for strategic reasons;
but will never be taken by force of arms.
The great victory in Virginia cheers US
all very much, and We are determined
10 emulate the heroic example.
But desire peace. wish to return
10 my old home once more, and, start
ing life anew, l yet think Heaven has
reserved in the future much happiness
for me and US all.
Yours. J. GILL SprvEy.
THE REPLY.
OsKALoosA, KANSAS,
June 10Th, 1868.
]. Gill SPIvEY,
Comd'g LIST Arkonsas Coval,y, G. s. a.,
Vieks6ury, Mss,ssippi
SIR. = Yours, dated at Vicksbu.g.
Miss. May 9th, and mailed a, St. Louis
June 9Th, 1868. was received by me on
the 9Th inst. l can only account for
The mailing Of your letter at s.. Louis.
upon the hypothesis that j, was carried
from Vicksburg to the former place by
some copperilead traitor rebel spy. or
secret agent Of the pretended govern
ment known as the c. S. A., who has
been permitted to pass the federal lines
under the garb of loyalty 70 that real
government, Of which | am proud 10
Be subject, tho United Safes Of Amer
lea.
The reports you have heard. that
"msny Of like symparhies as yourself
have lost their lives" if they came to
you Is statements OF what had occur.
red In this region Of the loyal North
- against suspected individuals simply
ior the opinions they entertained, are
base fabricAtions, conceived in treach-
cry and uttered by traitors to deceive
Tue MISSES at the South Not a single
man has been killed or driven from his
home on account Of his sympathy with
The rebellion, though there are. l have
no doubt. many Of like sympatl'ics"
with you. in Kansas. who as richly de-
serve to be hung. repeat il. that
no man. even though suspected Of en-.