Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-01-15
Army Correspondence.
i CAMP AT HELENA. Ark,
Dec 9th. 1851

~.
the columns of the RErUDLIcAN. to say a
few words to my friends in old Marshall
We have just come back from scout in
Mississippi. OF the society. / have not, of
course. seen much. but observe that they
all "know, heap make right smart
,corn, invite you to take q. Cher, and
''.sreckon that war is, bad enough thar or
anywhar," &C., So far as | have observed
both the educated and uneducated use these
and similar words and phrases, as / have
written them. They hardly maintain the
southern reputation for Hospitality. This
may, however, be accounted for in two
ways.--ln the first place many of them are
not more than half loyal. while others are
downright rebels; and none Of them are
fully in sympathy with the northern people.
l have not seen one who did not love
slavery more than the Union. 1t is not
wonderful, therefore, that we sometimes
meet with coldness among them; and. then
! war has terribly devastated their country,
and almost entirely stripped thousands of
their means of subsistence. This must OF
necessity restrict their power to be hospi-
table. called one day, with two officers
and the Chaplain of our regiment, at the
door Of Mississippian. and asked if we
could get dinner. stating that we were will
ling to pay for it. Our host hestated, but
said he reckOaedhe could get US up a snack;
meaning lunch. He swore piofanely
in the course Of our conversation, while
the snack was being prepared. Finally
all things being ready we sat down to the
table and according to custom The chap
lain gave God thanks and invokel lis
blessing. The man started back,-is that
minister of the gospel, lie inquired
Yes. said one OF the officers; this is our
Chaplain. Well, sir, said our host / ask
your pardon for swearing. / used to pro.
fess to be Christian myself, but the ar
mics have burnt all my fences, stolen my
horses. taken all my hay and corn for for
age. and I'm just ruined, and so I've taken
to swearing. but ask your pardon.
The Chaplain replied, if no higher pow
er than myself heard you it would not be
of much importance. There was spice
Of the gentleman in him after all, and
many northern man has taken to swear
ing for less provocation, perhaps.
The snack consisted of coarse corn bread
and bacon with a bit of flied chicken and
most abomihabe tea. lie would take
n othing from the minister. but charged the
officers and myself 40 cts. apiece. If he
had been in fourishing circumstances the
poor fellow would doubtless have given US
far better snack for nothing.
While our regiment was lying near
Old Town. by some oversight two Iowa
soldiers were abandoned. being left behind
sick, one of them being in dying state. in
an old church which had been occupied as
Hospital. Hearing Of their condition |
visited them. Two ladies had found them
out aud like angels of mercy had come to
their lonely cot to minister to them
Mothers and sisters and old friends were
all far away, aud as I saw these strange
women caring for these poor fellows with
SO much solicitude, anxiety and tenderness,
felt the tears of gratitude wclling up in.
to my own eyes as said to them-'.Inas-
much as ye did it unto one of the least
of these We did it unto me-" They bro,
cordials and food and clothing. and words
, OF comfort, such as women alone can
speak. God bless them. Their eyes fair.
ly rained tears as | sang--"Rock Of ages
cleft for me-
In many things the people are fully fif
ty years behind the times. They are very
apt to look upon oil improvements as yam
kee traps and humbugs. One man told
me that grating apple trees was so looked
upon in his neighborhood. Their aervant,
spin and weave on old fashioned wheel,
and looms, just such as were in use among
us fifty years ago, and so it is with almos
every thing. And such dirty. dilapidated
desolate. God forsaken villages as w
passed through never saw any where be
fore. We .christened them with sucl
names as Hard Scrabble. Skunk's Misery
DC. r.-.f
j Indeed, the whole face Of the country is
parched and withered as though the no
breath of Gods wrath was sweeping owe
: it, The emaciated inebriaie and debau
chee carries no more visibly upon him tn
seal of the divine disapprobation than doe
this slavery cursed land. r.
RS r hi7o" JosxPH N. Low, -
s'q1 Color Bearer 9th Ill. Cavalry.
p. s.. As for war news we don't ge
any; hardly ever get a paper. While a
| home the REPuBIIcAs was a weekly visi
tant at my fathers house from the first da,
/ Of its existence; SO you see we are ol'
friends
! had to give up wife and child. and al
lost all my friends when i left home 70
the wal, but did hope to retain this on
as the companion of my weary marches. a
the solace of my lonely hours, as one il
whose face | could look with confidence
and read lessons Of patriotism. courage an
good cheer. amid the fitful ebbings of tn
war storm. by the Pickering blaze of til
camp fire. or by the sickly light of the dim
, " burning hospital candle. But alas! thi
: friend that has hitherto stuck to me like
brother refuses TO visit me now When
most need and should prize it presence
4 So goes the world.
, Friends at home.-this is to you ALL
Please answer. Commence by saying
yours Of the 9th nit. has been received an
hasten to answer, &C., DC. j. N. L.