The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-02-28
THE VOICE OF PATRIOTISM.
Gen. John A. Logan O,hls Yellow SOls
dlefOs


HEADouARrkRs, 81 Drvlsros,) d
80. 18th Army CORPS, IN
.@- memphis, Tenn, Feb IL, 1862 81
Ny Fellow Soldiers:
Debility from recent illness has prevented and
still prevents me from appearing amongst you,
as mas been my custom, and is my desire. 1t is
Tor this cause deem It my duty to communicate
with you now, and give you the assurance that
your General still maintains uushaken confidence
In your patriotism, devotion, and in the ultimate
success of our glorious cause.
! am aware that Influences of the most dis
couraging and reasonable character, well call
cuiated and designed to render you dissatisfied,
have recently been brought to bear upon some
Of you by progressed friends. Newspapers, con.
tanning reasonable articles, artfuly falsifyine
the public sentiment at your homes, have been
circulated in your camps Intriguing political
tricksters, demagogues, and time-servers, whose
corrupt deeds are but . faint reflex of their
more corrupt hearts, seem determined to drive
our people on to anarchy and destruction. They
have hoped, by magnifying the reverses Of our
arms, oasely misrepresenting the conduct and
sisndering the character OF our soldiers in the
field, and boldly denourcing the acts of the con.
stituted authorities of the Government as un-
constitutional usurpations, to produce general
generalization in the army, and thereby reap
their political reward, weaken the cause we have
espoused, and aid those arch traitors of the
South to dismember our mighty Republic and
trail in the dust the emblem of our national
unity, greatness and glory. Let me remind you,
my countrymen, that we are soldiers of the
Federal Union, armed for the preservation of
Federal Constitution and the maintenance of its
laws and authority. Upon your faithfuIness and
devotion, heroism and gallantry, depend its per.
petuity. To US has been committed this sacred
inheritance, baptized in the blood of our fathers
We are soldiers of Government that has always
blessed US with prosperity and happiness 1t
has given to every American citizen the largest
freedom and the most perfect equality of rights
and privileges. 1t has afforded US security in
person and property and blessed us until under
its benefcent influence, We we're the proudest
nation on earth.
We should be united in our efforts to put
down rebellion, that now, like an earthquake,
rocks the nation from State to State. from cen.
tre to circumference. and threatens to euguph
US all in one common ruin, the horrors of which
20 pen can portray. We have solemnly sworn
to bear true faith to this Government, preserve
its Constitution and defend its glorious flag
against all it's enemies and opposers To our
hands has been committed the liberties, the
and happiness Of future generations
Shall we betray such trust! Shall the bril-
lance of your past achievements be dimmed and
sarnished by hesitation, discord and dissension,
whilst armed traitors menace you in front and
traitors intrigue against you in the
rear? We are in no way responsible for any
action Of the civil authorities We constitute
the military arm Of the Government That the
civil power is threatened and attempted to be
paraiyzed, s the reason for resort to the militia
~ tn oS1 fho civ H.
oppose or obstruct) in the exercise of their au.
thorty is our Office, and shall we forget this duty,
and stop to wrangle and dispute while the coun.
try is bleeding at every pore, on this or that
political act or measure, whilst fearful vail of
anguish, wrung from the heart Of distracted
people, is borne upon every breeze, and widows
and orphans are appealing to us to avenge the
loss of their loved ones who have fallen by our
side in defense of its old blood stained banner,
and whilst the Temple of Liberty itself is being
shaken to the very centre by the ruthless blows
.. traitors, who have desecrated our fsg-ob-
structed our national highways, destroyed our
peace, desolated our firesides, and draped thou
sands of homes in mourning?
Let US stand firm at our posts of duty and of
honor, yielding cheerful obedience to all orders
rom our superiors, until by our united efforts,
The Stars and Stripes shall be planted in every
We can then return to our homes and through
the ballot box peacefully redress all our wrongs,
# any We have s1 % -
Whilst rely upou you with confidence and
pride, blush to confess that recently some of
those who we're once our comrades in arms have
80 far forgotten their honor, their oaths and
their country, as to shamefully desert us, and
skulkingly make their way to their homes, 4
where, like culprits, they dare not look an hon
est man in the face. Disgrace and ignominy
If they escape the penalty of the lagl will not
only follow them to their dishonored graves, but
will stamp their names and lineage with infamy q
to the latest generation. The scorn and con.
Tempt of every true man will ever follow those
base men, who, forgetful of their oaths, have, 3;
like cowardly spaniels, deserted their comrades 4,
10 arms in the face Of the foe, and their country
IN the hour Of its greatest peril Every true
hearted mother or father, brother, sister or wife,
will spurn the coward who could thus not only q
disgrace himself, but his name and bis kindred.
An indelible stamp Of infamy should be branded
upon bis cheek, that all who look upon bis vile
countenance my feel for him the contempt his
cowardice merits. Gould believe tha. such con.
duct found either justification or excuse in your
hearts, or that you would for moment falter in
our glorious purpose of saving the nation from
wreck and hopeless ruin, would in.
woke from Feisy the greatest hoon, a common u
grave to save US from such infamy and disgrace.
The day is not far distant when traitors and
towards, North and South, will cover before the i
Indignation of an outraged people. MARCH (.
BRAvELY ONWARD! Nerve your strong arms to 81
The task of foyerthrowing every obstacle in the
pathway of victory until with shouts of triumph d
he last gun is fred that Proclaims US united
people under the old Flag and one Government
oATRIoT SOLDIERS This great work accom-.
,lished, the reward for such service as yours o,
will be realized; the blessings and honors of d
,rateiul people will be yours .g
JOHN A. LOGAN, Brig Gen. Comd'g
The Baltimore American, one of the truest
'apers in the country, in an article on General
.osecrans' noble letter to the Ohio Legislature.