The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-06-03
correspondence Of the Perrysburg Journal.
VIEWS OF A SOLDIER.

l Ems. Journal: In reading the varion. papers
Of the day, find that the people remaining at
home almost unanimous in their expressions Of
gratitude to those whom they term their "nobls
and patriotic friends" in tho army Now, nv
friends, we, soldiers are not fighting to receive
honors from others; but we fight for the perpetual
ticn of our government, our homes and our free in
sttutonS yet it can but do us good when we feel
that we respected and houorcd in this cause
We often find the following and similar sentences
, published in the papers-whch are quotations from
speeches or resolutions made or adopted at times
when you meet together for the purpose Of forgani1
ing or advancing the interests of Union Leagues
and at such times, when we soldiers are in
clined to believe that sensation is too much the rul-
ing principle:
ave love YOU for your patriotism we honor YOU
for your Kindness of heart and gentlsmnnly deport-
nent IN the euemys country net we only, but
all who shall read the history of this struggle for
maintenance Of frue government will admire your
undauncd bravery ON the field Of b ufpe
I'VE therefore bid you God speed in the noble
work M which you are engaged. In you we have
the fullest confidence aud while we urge YOU on
toa full discharge OF the duties which you have as
snmed, we Internationally pledge ourselves to
stand by you, and afford all the aid aud comfort in
our power In pacuniary point of view, we will
give the last dollar to your support in the prusecu
ton of the war. And when your thnned ranks re-
quiro filling up,
owe will rally round the flag, boys"
| have no doubt but the above are the true sen.
tments OF many Of you, and while in a state Of ex-
eitement might be applicable to the people in gem
eraI; but talking, when our sympathes are aroused
by the presence Of others, and doing when by our
selves, are two different things. 1t will do to say
that you will give the las, dollar to our support in
tho prosecution ofthe war-but soldiers "cant see
it,"
You say that you Internationally pledge YOUR
selves to stand by us and afford all the aid and
comfort in your power. Now you value the in
teress OF your country have you done it heretofore
answer. "No" And here permit me to explain
myself.
When | was requested to assist in getting up
Captain Spailord's Company, for the G7th Regiment
in the fall of 1881, was told To sav TO all married
men to whom spoke the subject that if they
would enlist, their wives would receive five dollars
and each child one dollar, per month, while they
should remain in the service; but nineteen or
twenty months have passed, and many such wives
have received but worry little, if anything aud in
receiving what they have, have been shamerully
abused by others who to-day enjoy the pleasures
of use to their country, and of less purpose to God
Some who have made application for that which
was promised them, have been coolly refused from
the fact that they not absolutely in starving
condition. Others who could dress well with the
proceeds of their husbands, or sons labor have
been compelled to appear in public in tho cheapest
apparel, or have it said ofthem-" They are extrav-
aganty dressing at the expense of the county"
Suppose that you had fulfilled these promises
how, think you, would we regard your pledges?
Hut have been told that this was only calculated
Tor those who were the most needy Very we'll.
linen why have not they who were the most needy
received 1t? To my own knowledge, wives Of
commissioned officers have received more Of this
hInd than those of priystes and furthermore there
were no such exceptions made at the time we were
eni'sting men, but they worc made after our ranks
were full and we were standing and bleeding un-
der our tattcred banners, TO save your homes from
the ravagcs of the invader
God pardon for having lured men into the
army 10y making such promises. was sincere at
heart when told my comrads so and So see
my error was putting too much reliance on
the arm of man. When our families are respect
fully treated, when asking for that which has been
|
are patriots at home. You may think I SPEAK
roughly, but the truth will touch none, save those
who deserve it. Soldiers cannot regard the fair
promises and resolutions published in the papers
as anything but mere show, unless former ones
are fulfilled
My friends, We don't say this in complaint. for
! long GRE tins We have learned on whom 10 rely:
but desiring TO possess some philanthropc princi-
| pies ourselves, we have a peculiar desire to see
in'sers represent themselves as misers, and not
publish to the world what they are going to do,
ana forget at home what they never intended to
do fear that am too ungrateful to YOU in my
comments, but the truth is, our families lie near
est our hearts, next TO our country and when
men promise SO and so for our wives and little
ones and then as soon as we find ourselves in
the enemy's land, fail to remember us, we can
but regard their good intentions with great deal Of
doubt but should you stand by the following,
hereafter, we will pledge ourseyyetsp stand by
you and yours, though the sun oRldafsl1fe should
set while We strive on the battlefield
with these sentiments of love to YOU and the
Union, and the old flag which is so dear to US
| all, we are determined to use every means in
our power IN the prosecution of the war to a sue
| cessfu issue.
We say to you, our brave countrymen, that
our wishes, our prayers, our purses. and, if need
| De, our blood, shall be given to sustain YOU in
| your hour OF peril. We have no politics and no
| party, but the Union and the Constitution Ii
there are those with who will attempt TO pol
lutte our groat mi ssion with any peculiar or parti-
ran views, we will repudiate their desecraton of
our high and holy purposes. II there are money
changers in our midst who would speculate upon
the wants of the sodieFy, will scourge them from
our dominons. We unitedly pledge to you and
the great cause TO which you have dedicated your
all, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor
While you guard us from the hands of the rebels,
we will guard you from the treaohery Of domes-
tic traitors"
Now, my friends, in the above you have assumed
great responsibilities, which will be hard to carry
out You cannot accumulate wealth under this
pledge. We have staksd our all on the issue of
the war, and you only asked to bring your
ressures to the altar of your country, when cir
cumstances require it.
You say that TO us you pledge your honor II
in the future you keep this pledge, you will in
our estimation, wipe all former stains away.
have been told by meu Of our county, that We
went into this army for tho purpose of making
money; but he who says so is a coward and
cHlumniator, and is devoid of truth and principle,
for the the love of money will induce but few
men to subject themselves 20 the flying missiles
of death for thirteen dollars per month
May you ever remember him, whose object il
is to speculate upon the interest of the soldier;