Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-05-15
Correspondence Of the Journal.
Letter from the 72d o. ". I.
DUCK PoINr, La. April ostb 1864

DVOh UNIT La, a April Zoth, 1865.
Matters before vicksburg remain exceeding
ly quiet The belief prevails among the troops
that the enemy viii evacuate and that there will
be no fight. 1t seems clear at least that they
must do this, or fight this army away from their
Notifications, as Gen. Grant is likely to pla,e
his troops fairly in the rear of vicksburg, and
thus effectually cut off all communications and
supplies. Surely the rebels will not be caught
in this trap. But they may search their whole
territory over and they will not find another po-
sition as defensible as Vicksburg.
The army is now moving below by land and
before long suppose the attempt will be made
to cross the river aud effect landing in Missis-
sippi. 1t is said the feet has captured Grand
Gulf at the mouth of Black river. This stream
runs few miles back of Vicksburg and furnish
es medium of approach upon that place.
This Division had orders on Saturday to
march on Monday last A little before the hour
Of starting, however, the order was counterman.
ded, and we didn't go.
A very sad and unfortunate occurrence took
place here on Thursday last A party from Co.
B, 72d o. V. l., went into the canal to batbe.
OF the number was Michael Swartsander. The
water in the canal was deep and very rapid.
Poor Swartslander attempted to swim across the
canal but was soon discovered struggling and
sinking. His comrades at once started to his
assistance, but were prevented by the great
force of the current from rescuing the drowning
man. The friends were unable to recover the
body until yesterday. 1t was buried this NOR
ming with appropriate military honors Young
5. was 10 years OF age, Of fine manners and APP
pearance and of excellent character, and among
the best of soldiers. He enlisted in the rod
last September and joined the Regiment at
Whites Station in February. last. He leaves a
brother in the same Company who Joined tho
Regiment at Fremont, and is as noble and brave
soldier as ever shouldered gun.
The Regiment was paid on Thursday last te
include February 2e 1863. large portion Of
the money was sent home by express. l should
Judge that fully $4,000 were sent altogether.
friend has handed me two letters from two
citizens of Sandusky Co., with permission tc
make such use of them as | may choose. As
they relate to the subject that should most con-
cern us all, and as they go to show the legiti.
mate result of the factious opposition to the
Administration at the North. give copies of
such portions as are not of private nature. /
have on two or three former occasions said
something with reference to Southern sympa-
thy at the North and the treason there preached.
Notwithstanding the fagrant treason of these
letters, do by no means censure the authors of
them as denounce and defy the teachers of
such Infamous treason. / refrain by request
from giving names. They are written to a SOL
dier of Co. l. I'D O.V. l., who enlisted last
summer. The authors of both live in Sandus.
ky Co.. the latter of them near Greensburg
The first is written by the brother-in- law, the
latter by the brother of the party to whom they
are addressed. l copy them verbatim Ct literGtin:
Aprile 18th 1868
Sir Mr.. +. Ireceivcd your letter We are all we'll at
present and hope ing When these few lines 10 hand
1t viii end you the same Well sir there Is not anuff Of
men down there TO settle the copper heads lam one
these copper heads and hant shamed of the name
black snakes for they In every thing that is mean
am ,od true dmmOcrst and hope I will be my disposition
n., Sa,s SGaEsrssnUHa, sandu'ty Co. o. April lSth es
said in your letter had better be helping Old Abe split
rails than be talking about him rest assured that
shall not help him give you him pleasure would
not mind helping to split rails # that all, but don't
believe in split the Union If wanted to marry negro
wench then you would take up arms to free them
butt don't You wrote to R. that the boys that were
drafted had better 60 willingly there would be armies
great many of you that there now would never sec
Dixies land again some fhem would get gut winder
difference to me. Atour spring election the Union pre-
servers democrats mean) beat the niger Party SO
Jory Wei think the prospect is good for the to
send me lock of negro wenchs hair for gun swab
and oblige me- ]. ST.
These extracts speak for themselves without
comment. The intelligence of the authors is
manifest. AS to the threats, they are so much
foul breath wasted. No doubt both these mis-
erablc, reasonable reptiles would be struck
dumb with fear and trembling at the very sight
of the Provost Marshals deputy. AS to D. E.
who declares himself cooper head" / might
say he does more. He shows himself an ass
and an arrant traitor, more deserving an igni-
monious death than the armed rebels in our
front. He need say no more than his letter con-
veys. He should be at once summarily dealt
with. If he be not a sneeking coward he will
Join his brethren in the rebel army and maintain
his doctrines. A "coper head" forsoothl Nay
should call him copper bottomed too, and filed
with sap.
As to j. S. F., will say he once belonged in
the Union army, but cowardice getting the mas
terry he became maligner and got discharge,
and is now spending vile breath abusing the
service which he disgraced. Not content with
being traitor he must also show himself fool
and braggart. He no doubt felt relieved when
he delivered himself OF his poisonous threat
But mark you, he would be as harmless as a
sucking dove. He would run in alright from
the shGdoO Of sick soldier. Should govern
ment resort to draft and Mr.. f. get ticket,
(provlded he could not raise the $780, he would
60 as meekly and submissiyely as the lamb to
the slaughter.
But have these men ever reflected upon the
ignominy, the everlasting infamy attached to
treasonf Do they apprehend that they are en-
acting the most heinous crime known TO heaven,
law or MANI Do they not know that some day
these soldiers will return and revenge the wrongs
and slanders they have sufferedP
The language of these men aud their beliefs
are the natural results of the teachings they
have had. Men in Sandusky county-lawyers,
judges, justices, DC, have taken advantage OF
ignorance and prejudice to mislead this class Of
beings. They have taught them, forced them to
believe what they know to be false, reasonable
and damnable; and all simply to subserve their
own ambitious lusts and to foster treason and
slavery. On their heads will rest the greatest
of sins. They are false to themselves, enemies
of their country, and the false and seditous
teachers of their ignorant brethren. They stick
lie for law, yet preach rebellion against law
They clamor for license to preach treason and
sedition, and rebellion against the law that
would strike down our country senemies They
cry out against oppression, yet advocate the
worst sort Of oppression-slayery.
The day of lasting infamy and obscurity fast
SEVENTY SIX.