Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-03-25
Correspond ence of the Tribune
FROM THE End WIS. REGIMENT.
IN CAMP 2D WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS,
MARCH 4TH 1868.


| - MARCH 4TH 1868.
FRIEND Bliss:
Thinking that my time could not be EN-
ployed better than in giving you some in
formation in relation to the views, and how
the sayings and doings of certain set Of
men are received in the Army, I've con-
cludee to write you.
Nearly two years have elapsed. and my
mind runs back to the time and circum-
stances connected with leaving homes and
friends for the most holy oil purposes, to
aid the strong arm of tho Government
and we are happy to say that there is no
evidence yet, but it viii eventually be
able to put down all opposition and that
it is as strong to-day as it WAS then.
But the news that came with lightning
| speed from Sumters Spartan band warn
ed us that there was danger Red-hand-
ed treason had raised its puny arm, and
threatened to overthrow our government
Duty called US to sh oulder our muskets,
gird on our armor and go forth to do bat
tie for its maintainance. All sympathiz-
ed at that time, and if any felt like Civ
ing sympathy to rebels, the were careful
not to betray their feelings Those evi-
] dences of unanimity we ca mot recall bit
! with feelings of grateful remembrance
| Party feelings thrown aside, Democrats
and Republicans alike concurred in the
sentiment that the henor and integrity OF
! the Government must be maintained
! 10y men irrespective of party enrolled
/ their names for It's defence
We still retain that beautiful emblem
of our country, presented to Co. "I under
! circumstances affecting upon the eve of
| our departure We cherish it as the gift
| of persons of different political opinions
and as indicative of the love they bore to,
and the momentous Importance they at
| tatched-whether Democrats or Republi-
/ cans-to the pre- servation of the Union.
In its presentation we beheld the guar
antee Of friendship and sympathy so es-
sential to the soldiers hopes and the as
surance that ami't the priyations of a sol
| diers life, he would not be for rotten, and
/ if it should be our lot to fall in battle by
/ the hands of traitorous foes, that our blood
would be fully avenged.
| In its reception we pledged ourselves as
| men and soldiers, that we would preserve
it unsullied and unstained, and that no
unworthy act of ours should bring re
I proach upon its sacred folds.
Let two years history of the sufferings
and hardships Of soldiers life answer
how that promise has been kept Let the
memories of many a hard fought battle
| tell how faithful the obligation. Manass-
as No. / Gainesville, Manass sas No. ?, An
/ tietam South Mountain and Fredericks-
| burg all speak for the honor of our dead
and wounded, as we'll as living.
| And yet there are those that would re-
/ tard this work of love and nobleness, by
trying to discourage the soldier in the
| field by throwing every obstacle in the
] ~.
/ deavours to put down this uEj Just, unholy
and we hope in the end unsuccessful re
| bellion.
/ They will tell you at one time that we
| (the army are sick of the war. That we
we would hail an honorable peace with
| JOY beyond expression, is very true, But
| to say we are SEX In the sense that they
would have it understood, (and as they
would wish) is berating the patriotism,
undertaking the zeal and insulting the
/ judgment of the men that compose the
army. VI G want no peace that would de-
! stroy the Union, or compromise our rights
/ as ireemen.
| But we are heartily sick of that organ
! ized, scheaming, plotting party spirit that
/ distracts the minds of honest men, that
! encourages our enemy with false hope,
! and that would discourage the hearts of
| those men now engaged in upho!ding the
/ cause of humanity and civil liberty. We
| are as ready to meet the foe to-day as ever;
/ as fully armed with determination as
when the sound of the first gun of the en-
/ emy struck on our ear, and fully con-
scious of our duty to our country and to
! God and humanity, as we were the morn
! ing the report that Fort Sumter was fired
| into swept with migLyy alarm from one
/ end of the land to the other, causing a
! thrill of sadness and gloom throughout
| the whole country and developing the pur
poses of the rebellion. What was duty
! then is duty now. Some have fallen in
its defense, while others you daily behold
as they walk through your streets. MAIN
| ed, disfigured and disabled Tor life, in their
efforts to maintain Its purity, The tears,
the sacrifices, the parting of friends, the
heaving breast, the good byes, the God
bless you eff the 9Th day of May, 1861,
denoted how fully, how truly all felt the
justice of our cause The waving of hats,
'adieus" and tokens OF approval, that we
beheld In the distance, as home and our
friends receded from view upon the NOR
ming of our departure, was expressive of
the desire of all to perpetuate our glori-
Gus Unior. 1t was the work of years of
toll and thought, of hardships and suffer
ing, and the greatest boon ever bequeath
ed to mankind in the shape of Govern
ment, and cursed be the hands that would
despoil it-East, West North or South.
Our work NE felt to be the work Of
love, and not of hatred, to ensure peace,
permanent peace, and not to en9ender
brawling and strife, TO pr serve the work
of Washington and his compatriots, and
to hand down to generations vet unborn,
the blessings of free Government and
the cherished institutions bequeathed to
us aud our children's children as an in
heritance by the blood and suffering of
our Revolutionary fathers.
What was rign: then is right now; we
are still contending for national exist
/ ence ard constitutional rights = for the
maintenance of law and good order. And
/ yet they charge the powers that be with
the exercise of arbitrary power, and vio-
+ lations of personal liberty. Are they sim
cere in making them2 Nay. 1t is not
within the comprehension of that broad
word Charity. or the latitude of its import
/ 10 giTe them the benefit of such emotion
Their acts and language deny them any
/ thing they might plead in extenuation of
1 their conduct on the grounds of sinceri-