Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-04-17

ally of their ThAyer proclivities. We have
several in our company who supported him
last fall for Congress, but they have denounc-
ed him one by one, until the last political
friend of the wonld-be Congressman in our
company has EXPIRED. e., their Thayer
proclivities have died; and here is the ex-
piring sentence Of the last one who deserted
him-"I think Thayer must be demented, as
was John Brown. or else he would not act
the d-n fool as he does" u Tt9v.t 80
Yours in friendship, F.A 80
s...,,,-,.,.,,,,.-..- ,-e Both Iowa.
Letter from the l1th Iowa.-False.
hoods Of the Courier Corresponds
ent Exposed. ..-.e.-, sf-... =
CAHP OF THE 11rH iowa REeIMENr,l
Near Lake Providence, La, April 5. {
Ed. JoURNAL:-I am not regular reader
of the Courier, but occasionally number
falls into my hands, which never read with
out feeling my blood boil with honest indig-
nation at the vile treason which stands forth
so conspicuously in all its columns. But
hitherto I have kept silent, leaving it for
greater minds and ADLER pens than mine to
administer the rebuke his foul-luouthed bold
ness so richly deserves; for am no poll
tician, and have never before written but two
or three newspaper articles. 1tun
Occasionally, however, articles have ap-
peared impeaching the loyalty of our soldiers,
pitch that it was with difficulty that could
restrain myself from attempting reply
And in the last number received here March
27th) appears letter from this regiment in
relation to certain resolutions adopted by the
regiment on the 9th of March and sent to
you for publication, which so wilfully and
maliciousy misrepresent the facts that can
no longer hold my peace, and in q, fit Of des-
peration have seized my pen, and this article
is the result. have not the letter before me,
and consequently will have to refer to it from
memory alone, and may not be able to notice
the obnoxious points in the order in which
they appear. l.i a54, s. .d .--..s b.
He says that before the vote was taken our
commander told us that "all who voted against
the resolutions were traitors, and wanted to
desert aud struggled on the march" &c.
Now this is, to speak plainly, an unqualified
lie. Nothing of the kind was ever spoken
Ia the course Of his remarks our Major said
that those who had deserted were those who
struggled on march, were skulkers IN battle,
and were nothing but nuisance in the army.
This is all that was said that in any way re-
sembled the language of the letter quoted
above. ,st rr .eae-
Again, he says that when the vote was
taken about one third of the regiment voted
for them, and then adds: "Of course the rest
Of us were silent, because we knew that had
we gone against it publicly we would perhaps
have been dishonorably drummed out of the
service, or marched to the guard-house, and
perhaps court-martialed" There are two
points here to be noticed. First, instead of
only one-third voting for the resolutions,
think there were at least. nine tenths voted
for them. Of course cannot say that was
the exact proportion, but to show you how
nearly right it is, I will give you the opinion
of one whom you all know to be good author
ity on that point-Lieut. George D. Magoon
for all who are acquainted with him know
him to be as strict, uncompromising Demo.
crat as can be found, and consequently would
not be likely to misrepresent the matter, to
favor the opposite side. lie says he does not
believe there are twenty five men in the regi-
ment who would not freely and unrestrained-
ly vote for those resolutions. The few who
refused to vote were those who support the
Muscatine Courier, and subscribe to the trea-
sonable doctrine therein set forth.
Now for the next point. He says those
who refused to vote were silent for fear of be-
ing drummed out of the service, court-mar-
tailed, &c. Now this is not only a lie, but a
malicious SANDER on the officers of this COM
mand; for we all know (the writer of that
letter not excepted) that there was not the
shadow Of probability of any such result
Our officers are men above employing such
base means to induce men to av0w sentiments
uistasteful to them, even though they are
sentiments of loyalty.
And not content with classifying the facts
in regard to the vote on the resolutions, he
must misstate the resolutions themselves, for
he says we could not vote for them without
| stating that we have "full confidence in our
rulers" Now, those resolutions do not con-
tain the word ''ruler' in them, nor anything
in regard to them, as you may see by refer
ring to them. suppose he refers to the Sec
ond resolution, which is the only one he could
in any way misrcpresent to contain the Ian
guage quoted. 1t reads as follows:
"rhat in spite of all hardships in the field,
reverses and discouragements, we still feel
unlimited confidence in our Government to
| suppress the rebellion, and instead of desiring
peace or truce, we, on the contrary, are I'M
alterably opposed to making any terms with
armed rebels, and will not willingly consent
to peace or cessation of hostilities short OF
| the complete restoration of the authority OF
the Government in all the districts now in
rebellion against it."
Instead of containing the language which
the writer of that letter ascribes to it, it does
not express single sentiment which every
loyal man should not freely and unhesitating-
| ly subscribe to. Our faith in the old Union
is not destroyed. We cannot believe that a
just God will allow wrong ard oppression
thus to triumph over liberty and right
Therefore we believe she will yet outride the
storm that threatens to engulph her, and safe
ly enter the port of peace.
As for peace or compromise, we do not
wish ever to see either ON any terms other
than the unconditional recognition Of the au-
| thority of the government on every foot Of
soil over which our glorious banner of free
dom has waved its protecting folds. Our
forefathers, under circumstances hundred
fold more difficult and d'scouraging than
those under which we labor, to establish the
institutions of liberty which we are striving
to maintain, endured the tolls and privations
of war of eight years duration, while its
terrible, blighting, desolating influences were
exerted around their own homes and firesides,
and their own loved ones were the victims OF
its unspeakable horrors. And although a
soldiers life is one of hardship, privation and
danger, and the heart yearns with unceasing
longings for the comforts and loved ones at
home, / know there are thousands, yea, hun
dreds of thousands of true, patriotic hearts in
our noble army, which wish, if 1t is necessa-
ry to put down this iendish rebellion, this
war may be as long as that. Yea, more. If
necessary, they are willing to lay their lives
on the altar of their country, if by SO doing