Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-03-06
foorrespOndenee for the Delaware Gazette-I
CAMP OF THE SD REeruEsr, O. vi,

FCerrespondence for the Delaware Gazette-J
CAMP OF THE SD REGIMENT, O. vi,
NEAR STAFFORD c. H, Va, Feb. 25. J
Editor Guzetie The weather in this local
itv alternates strangely between mild and
stromy. -0Be morning is clear and beautiful,
the birds are singing among the pines, the air
is pleasant as that of June; the next the
earth is enveloped in snow, and the elements
are so angry as to hardly permit Of outdoor
movements at all. Then the sun breaks forth
again and melts the snow, or we have pro-
tracted rain which effects the same result
Thus the light soil Of this region, being COM
posed Of clay and sand, Is almost constantly
kept in condition which little travel viii
transfer into that OF quagmire- 1t is easy
to see therefore that the present inaction Of
this great army is not selEimposed. On the
contrary every one is ready TO welcome the
day when we shall be able to break the spell
with which the Mud King has bound US. The
lassitude and ennui resulting frela-our pro-
tracted inaclion are more oppressive than the
hardships of vigorous campaign. Action is
the soldiers element, without it he becomes
unhealthy, mOrose and miserable.
On Sunday morning last, while fearful
snow storm was raging, and when the little
huts of the soldiers were many of them al
most completely enveloped in the Heecy folds
of the soft mantle that had fallen upon the
earth, suddenly the deep voiced artillery began
TO below all along our lines. Surely it must
have startled the " graybacks" who were
glowering in their mud forts over The Kappa
hammock, for even many of us did not at first
remember that it was the birth day Of Wash
ington. How appropriate that we should thus
eUen amid the storm, celebrate the memory of
the hero who gave us our republic. But how
singular the coincidence OF our performing
this act, at once within hearing Of the camps
of armed rebels and of Mt. Vernon! Well
might the sound of the Union cannon startle
the traitors from their dens on such an occa-
sion.
The grand divisions of this army having
been dissolved, Geu. Sigel has been re-estab-
lshed in command of the 1lth corps. In
Gen. Hooker we all feel that we have emphat-
really a leader, one who viii not send US, but
lead us against the foe That is just the kind
of a commander we need. In fact this army
needs less commanding than leading. It has
long enough been accustomed to obey the be-
hests of those who we're themselves unwilling
10 go to the fore front and show it what TO do;
fortunately, that class is fast being weeded out
and shufIled of. The firm course of the gov
ernment in properly Furnishing the man who
chiefly caused our second defeat at Manassas
has slightly Weakened up certain partizans,
grumbers and towards. Let us have more of
that kind of policy. If need be, let every
General and every subaltern be answerable
with his head for misconduct.
The question of arming the negroes seems
to create far less sensation among the soldiers
than among certain of their Democratic
friends q at home who seem peculiarly jeal
Gus Of our honor and dignity. A few cam
pagns have taught us better sense than to
claim TO ourselves alone the perogativc Of be-
ing shot and shovelled into trenches by iend
sh traitors. Most Of US are quite willing to
share this privilege even with negroes. All
the twaddle about the impracticabiity or inn.
propriety of this measure is tue completest
humbug. History furnishes us plenty of ex
amples of its successful application Thicrs,
in his history of the Consulate and the Elm
pire of Napoleon l, says of the army in Egypt
that d" the blacks of Darfur, bought and made
free, added as many as 500 good soldiers to
one of our demi-brigades alone" This i'm
plies that many more were employed in other
brigadcs The valiant French who had won
laurcls at Lodi, Arcola and Heliopolis, did not
feel a degradation in fighting even for con-
quest along with Darfur blacks bought and
made free" But when our national existence
itself is in jeopardy certain nice politicians
are offended at such project. Even in the
late war between France and Austria Louis
Napolean transported from Egypt large num-
bers of Turcos, most savage and blood
thirsty tribe of blacks, and sent them along
with his splendid Zouaves against the Aus
trians. And it is now said that he is about to
send legions of these despised blacks to assist
in the conquest of Mexico. But if even all
these examples. and many others that might
/ be cited, were wanting, We have that of Gen.
jackson, who employed negroes at New Or
I leans, and there found reason TO compliment
them for their bravery and gallantry. But it
is not the fear Of offending the dignity of the
army which disturbs these patriotic, ~ polti-
clans. It is their anxiety lest the negro armed
in the cause of freedom may vindicate his
manhood, and thus forever dsprove their aris-
tocratic notions Of caste. They have not yet
| forgotten Louissaint, who was to St. Domingo
| Wnat NapolSOn L was " FhHCe' AuG( aIS
apprehensive that another Louissaint may
spring from some obscure southern plantation
and fight his race into Fespectabiity. And
who denies that such may be theCase2 God
grant that ii may.
The health of the army of the Potomac
seems remarkably good. There is much less
sickness than might have been expected
Snow -balling is just now favorite amusement,
two or three companies are often seen enga-
ged in pitched battle" of this kind against
as many othersi positions" are often "storm-
ed" and "carried" with as much enthusiasm as
rebel battery would be. Would that moth
ing more seriues awaited our brave boys than
this harmless warfare. God is merciful in not
raising the curtain that hides the next cam
paign.
Long live the Republicl
| 4. T. SECHAND.