The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-10
An Army Letter.

We find the following letter In the Iowa STAN
dard, published at Usage. Iowa. 1t was written
by E. +. Merrill Of that place, formerly Of
Saco. The editor of the Standard says Mr..
Merrill speaks for himself, il he is Democrat
"You ask what I think Of the war! Ny
mind in regard to Ii, has not changed much
since teft home. only in few particulars.
had no idea OF the extent Of this rebellion
Men women and children in the Southern States.
oil unite In cursing and denouncing our gov
eminent. There Is nothing too bad for them
TO say, or too mean for them TO do. They will
be loyal citizens by day. doing business with Us,
and at night take their horses and guns and
70 out and kill and rob all the Union men and
soldiers that they can find.
There Is town opposite this place, on the
Arkansas side. called Hopeheld. The citizens
have al proiessed to be Union men : and within
two or three weeks, three Steam Boats, that
happened TO land little above there, have been
robbed and burned, and some OF their crew
murdered by guerrillas. An investigation
proved that these guerrillas lived in that town
OF HOpeield and the result was, some troops
were sent over with orders 10 burn them out,
which were obcyed to the letter. They did not
leave single thing standing OF once pretty
and pleasant village. saw IL burn. The sight
was grand and IL lo0ke'l right; IL accorded with
my ideas in regard 10 the mode ot conducting
this war.
But when will this all end All. that is the
question. Now, must say see no end but
by fighting, and nothing but disgrace to the
North in compromise. So you see, my only
conclusion Is Of the darkest and most despon-
ding character. We have in this country too
many roya. families, too many that are aspiring
10 be kings, Military dictatOrs, or something
of the kind. II the South succeeds in her de-
sign. the next move Will be n division between
the East and West. War will be the conse-
quence. and the East will have TO submit and
then will come individual states setting up Cor
themselves, and SO il will go. see no end, no
peace. But let Il come. have No feelings in
common, with any party that will propose
compromise with these Southern miscreants at
this late day. We have the blood OF friends,
and an insulted flag to be avenged. We have
the taunts and jeers Of these Internal hfl. hounds
60 mcite US on 10 deeds Of blood and carnage.
No, as much as I love my home and friends.
and rs much rs love, and | sometimes think
more than love my children, and as much as
desire to come home and spend the rest OF my
days happily in their society, yet do not ask
il, neither do desire il on any such condi.
tions. We must fight them-fght 10 the bitter
end. We have men and means, and say make
them feel our power compel them like mean
1ow-lived ours rs they are, to come on their bend
Ell knees anu sue TOT peace. WOnuer III our
friends mt home ever think of the mounds they
are helping to rSisc on the banks of the Miss
issippi, and in fact all over this Southern HI,
flor Il is nothing else) in the course they are
pursuing in regard To this war. Why can't
they, for the sake Of the poor soldiers that are
here in an enemy's eOsnt-y, sacrificing their
lives ON the field and in the camp, in thou
sand different ways and forms, lay aside politics,
lay aside their demagogueism for little white
and let US have chance 10 fight n short tine
untrsmmeled, without having every pull OF
wind that blows from that direction a bucket
OF cold water dashed in our faces to cool our
ardor and discourage US.
IL we are whipped. aud at last have to retreat
we may thank the North in great measure,
for all our disgrace and the defeat Of our arms.
So cpd this as commenced, By saying, our
only hope rs in fighting
Fight then. lay waste their country, destroy
their towns and cities, take their property,
cripple them IN every way (; give them no rest
night nor day until they shall beg for mercy,
like the poor peniteat whose eyes are just open
cd to see the wrctehedncss and horrorot his
situation"