The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-04-30

A00IncI OOmOOEauC 0Vl01CI SRC0ASe
We are permitted by friend to copy
the following extracts from private let
ter received by him from Ssrgt. M. w.
Whitney, of the Goth Illinois Infantry.
Mr.. Whitney is resident of Browns
vile in this county, and has besna Dem
ocrat from childhood, but has become
Disguised with the traitorous course OF
the leaders of that party in their oppo-
sition to the war, and the putting down
of the rebellion. We ask for it care
ful perusal.
Camp of the Goth Illinois Regiment
Vista Plantation, La.
April 18th, 1868.
Dear Friend.-Yours Of April LIST
was gladly received and read with
much pleasure. 1t does me good to
hear you denounce those cowardly cop
perheads who stay at home and play
their sneaking intrigues against those
who are endeavoring to end the war,
in the only way it can be ended hon.
orably-compelling the rebels to return
to their allegiance to toe government.
Not only that, but these traitors are
using what little influence they do pos
sess in endeavoring to induce our SOL
disrs to desert. But am happy to
say that as yet they have not succeeded
in inducing man, that is man, to
desert his country in this hour of her
peril. Of course there is certain few
who do not possess the courage or the
first principle that goes to make NAN,
that may be induced by these traitors
to desert. Some of this class they have
got and probably will get more, but /
have yet to hear of good Union SOL
der who has been induced to leave his
post. A creature that could be pre-
vailed upon to desert at this time,
should be discarded from all society,
and have the mark of Cain set upon
his forehead, that his disgrace might
follow him to his cowardly grave, and
there be buried in oblivion with those
through whose influence he deserted.
In your letter you say that you have
become an abolitionist, l confess that
| don't much like the word, but how !
am to help being one myself and still
be loyal to the Government and true
Union soldier, is a question 10 which
can not give an answer that will even
satisfy myself. Abe says that the ne
groes shall be free, and l am his sol
dier, sworn to assist in enforcing the
laws made by or coming from him, and
how l am to be good Union soldier
and not an abolitionist ! should really
like to know.
AS you are aware, / have always
been good Democrat, but in order to
save the Union, [ am willing that that
and all other parties, if necessary, shall
be buried in the hottest corner of pur-
gatory. What we soldiers are fighting
for is to re-establish the Union with a
government so good that every State
will cling to it like babeto mothers
breast. One sogood that it will take
more bayonets to drive even South Car
Dina latter the lesson she shall have
been taught out of the Union than il
will now take to bring her back.
But enough of this. know you
are true blue, and this kind of talk vii
do you no good, unless it will serve te
let some of your copper-head friends
know how the soldiers feel toward.
them, for assure you that this is but
small portion of what nearly all OF
them would say could they meet these
home-traitors on equal terms.
We have been in but one fight since
you left-at Britton's Lane, Tenn. II
was small fight, but brilliant VIC
tory. for us. The goth and 3Oth Illinois
and one company of cavalry completely
cleaned out about seven thousand Of
Armstrong; cavalry.
Remember me to all friends.
Yours truly, MILTON W. WHITNEY,.