The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-03-26
general ]. r.. Smith to his soldiers
HEADQUARTERS 8THDy., 10TH ARMY CoRPs,
NEAR MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 10th, IS.

. lhAOQOE2AbAhh LIND ANIL VAh ANN SONhh
NEAR MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 10th, '63.
FELLOW SOLDIERS: We are called upon to
cooperate with our brave companions in
arms. whose proud lot it is to precedS us in
the advance upon the enemy's works. Most
Of you, by your prowess on many a well con-
tested field, have already proven you devo-
tedness to the noble cause for which we battle
the restoration of the Union and the perpe-
tuity of the institutions bequeathed us by our
fathers. Those among us who have not as yet
had that opportunity, will, feel confident,
emulate the %vaIorous deeds Of your veteran
comrades and prove to the world that the trust
of the Federal Government in its citizen SOL
diery is we'll founded, and that the honor Of
the national flag is safe in your hands.
But, soldiers, armed treason in your front
is not the ony foe your patriotism has to con-
tend with. A far more dangerous, because
a more specious enemy turks in your rear
Designing politicians at the North, to whose
lust for power love of country is an easy sacri-
flee, would seek to p~aralize your efforts by
their insidious arguments, and, even to bind
Won to the deep disgrace that d~esertion entails
upon the faithless soldier, at the bar of patri-
otism and of honor. Soldiers To these mach
nations fail not, even for a moment, to oppose
the enobling thought that you are soldiers of
the Federal Government, sworn to maintain
its sovereignty, right or wrong"
What means may best conduce to establish
its supremacy, is a question which the neces-
sites of war havs transferred from the narrow
views of party to the broad and uncomprom-
ising arena Of nationality. n South, de-
spise the spirit of our country, desplse history
which has ever branded with failure the at
tempt to harmonize together two antagonis-
tic principles-freedom and servltude-has
dared to declare ii her purpose to rear a Con-
federacy whose corner stone shall be slavery,
Such is the issue. She herself has made 1t, and
with what justification is amply evinced by
the entire history of the Federal Government,
which has at all times not only refused to in
terfere with the rights of the peculiar insti-
tuition" but has never failed to uphold and
shield them wherever such rights c%onstitu-
tionaIly existed. Hence it became necessary
to issue a counter proclamation elnancipating
the slaves, for the corner stone once shattered
and broken the whole fabric must fall. Yet
such is the measure against which Northern
treason hurls its shaft, Of which it would
make use Of as an argument to induce us to a
dishonorable peace, forgetting, or pretending
to forget that the proclamation, ASA matter
of policy, was never entertained by the Ad-
ministration until the fortunes Of war had
necessitated it as a last resource against III
t~ervention on the part of Europe.
To-day the nations of Europe recognize that
at length our cause is the cause of freedom
To-day neither England nor France dare in
teryene in favor of slav e-holding treason with
out belying their avowed policy during the
past sixty years.
Forward, then, fellow soldiers and, reas-
sured of the Justice and sacredness ofOur cause,
let not our efforts cease until the Union shall
be restored in its full integrity, and our glori-
Gus banner wave triumphant over a land for
ever reclaimed from treason and restored to
its former glory, peace and prosperity.
JOHN Il. SMITH,
Brigsdier General,