The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-05-16

lands and theadvant4kes Of the different port
tions Of the State - - s-- Sss
When Col. Cloud was informed of the evscu-
alton, he, with his customary alacrity, proceed
ed Immediately to Cassvills, Mo, and arrived
the day before Col Harrison came in from
Fayetteville, and under his superintendence
Everything passed off regularly and without
confusion, and Cassville was not evacuated %
intended, but the Post was strengthened BY .
section of the Sd Ind. Battery and four compa-
nies of the 1st Ark. Cav, and is now strong
enough to withstand the assault Of every bash-
whacker in Arkansas. = 104
| The I'd Kansas Cavalry is stin doing duty at
this Post. The regiment has supply Of Colts
Army Revolvers and sharps Rifles on the
way from st. Louis, and horses are being bought
at Fort Scott. Somebody will get hurt when
the "Od Second" armed with "Colts" and
"Sharps." get mounted on fresh horses, with
certain "long-haired Colonel" for q leader.
The regiment has received eight months pay
since it came to Springfield. The "boys" are
in excellent fighting trim, both physically and
spiritually, and when they get their new horses
and arms, stand from under"
REMARKED at the commencement Of my let
ter that all was quiet, but should have added,
on the surface; but all is not quiet in the mind
Of the soldier, who thinks and feels and knows
that he is being swindled, and made the foun-
dation to build up and maintain corrupt de-
signing politicians.
Messrs. Editors, as you as well as all other
civilians, claim it as right to criticise the acts
and movements Of our leaders, and exercise it
you will, trust, permit me to make . few
abrief remarks" in regard to some Of the acts
and (sardine) movements Of your leaders.
If there was any further proof wanting to
convince the world that there was such state
of mind and morals as q total depravity," some
Of the late acts-or rather crimes-of the ma
kers of law would fully establish the melan-
choly fact. One of the acts to which have
reference is that of consolidation and muster
ing out of service the officers who have led
their commands in active service, and had
the ranks thinned out on the battle field, and
their places soon again to be filed by "green-
horns, "pups" and 'spets !" Of dirty politicians,
who, as soon as the consolidation takes place,
will raise the cry of "more troops" and then
new regiments must be raised las all the old
ones are fully and inexperienced officers will
be placed in command of inexperienced men,
and they will be rushed into the field and mur-
dered through their ignorance Of camp life,
and slaughtered on the battlefield through the
Iincompetency Of their officers. Why not put
the Conscription Act in force at once, and fill
up all the old regiments7 Recruits, there
placed by the side of experienced soldiers and
under the training Of experienced officers,
would learn more and be better soldiers in two
months than they would in twelve if formed
into new regiments, with officers and men
Ignorant of the first rudiments Of soldiers
duty. 1t would save time, save men and mon
ey, and close the ,rar sooner. "Thats what's the
matter"
Another, and one that is creating great dis
satisfaction in the ranks is that of stopping
and depriving the soldiers Of all extra duty
pay. It was very trifing and not sufficient
before, and it was very difficult to obtain men
who were willing to work from daylight until
dark for the petty sum of from twenty-five to
fifty cents per day extra; yet it was something,
and quite an object to the man who had alarge
family at home looking to him for support
Now the mechanic and laborer must work from
morning until night and often all night and
smut and soil and wear the clothes which (to
satify the speculators) he is compelled to pay
NEARLY double price for, and not receive cent
extra in return. We are already fast reapine
Ia - n yOk Qu,Dn n
work for nothing when rogues are robbine
their wives and children.
The most disgraceful part is yet to come. fol
the same men Il beg every ma"'s pardon) who
robbed the soldier, or rather his destitute fam
lily, Of his hard earnings placed with othe'
stealings the amount in their own pockets, fo'
mileage for extra session, they say e. new
term for stealing) when they voted the money
from the soldiers to their own pocketA witho.
travelling about except to the assignation house
and whisky shop, where their greatest produc-
tions are brought to maturity. They will
appoint "Courts of Inquiry and COMMITTEES
of Investigation to ascertain what soldier
has risked his own life, shot q rebel from his
} horse and mounted him himself and if any
punish him for the act; while they, atthe same
time sitting in the Halls Of Congress, sur.
rounded. by thousands Of bristling bayonets
and hundreds Of broad-mouthed cannon, and
receiving more for one days plotting than the
soldier does for twenty days hard fighting
deliberately stick their fingers into the Nation
al Treasury and steal thousands Of dollars
with as good grace as the devil offered ou'
Savior the whole world.
These are serious charges, but refer you 4