The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-02-19
GEN. ROsECRANS ON THE
r7Fa ia WAR.
A singing Isebuke to Northern
Traitors. sf
COLUMBUS, Ono, Feb. 10, 1868.

tsa CoLuxBUs, Ono, Feb 10, 1868.
Tho following letter from Gen. Rosecrans
in response to the resolutions of the Gener-
al Assembly was sent in by Governor Todd
4 to-day:
ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM GEN. RosEcaASs.
HEApoRs DEPT OF THE CUMRERLANp,l
Murfreesboro', Tenn, Feb. 3.i
To the Honorable, the General Assembly of
the State Of Ohio:
The resolution Of thanks passed by your
honorable body, TO the Army OF the Cum
berland, its Commanding General and his
Staff has been received and published to the
troops of his command. On behalf OF all,
return you heartfelt thanks.
This is indeed war for tEs maintenance
Of the Constitution and the Laws-nay, Tor
national existence-against those who have
despissd our honest friendship, deceived our
Just hopes, and driven US to defend our coun-
try and homes. By foul and willful SLAM
dsrs on our motives and intentions, persis-
ten.ly repeated, they have arrayed against
us our own fellow citizens, hound to US by
the cripple ties of consongninity, geosraph
icnl position. and commercial interest
Let no man among US BE- base enough to
forget th. :, or fool enough to trust an oligar-
chy of tra;tors TO their friends, to civil io-
erty aud human freedom. Voluntary ex
lies from homs and friends, for the defense
and safety of all. we long for the time when
ger tic peace shall again spread her wings
over or land: bat we know no such bless
ing is possible while the unjust and arb'-
t,sry power OF the rebel leaders conironts
and t 'ireatens Us. Crafty as the fox, crue!
as the tiger, they cried mo coercion, while
preparing to strike us bully like; they pro.
no ed to fight us because thoy said they
could whip us five to one; and now, when
dr;v. back, they whine out mo invasion. y
and promise us Of the West permission to
navigate the Mississippi river, if we will be
. good boys" and do as they bid us.
Whenever they have the power, they drive
before them into their ranks the Southern
people, and they would also drive Us. Trust
item not Were they able, they would in.
wade and destroy US without mercy. Abso-
lu,rly assured of these things, ! am..anazed
~ths, any one could think Of "peaco on any
terms He who entsrtain the sentiment
is TT only to be a slave he who uttcrs it at
this time, moreover, is o traitor to his coun-
try. who deserves the scorn and contempt
Of all honorabls men When the power OF
tn. unscrupnlous rebel leaders is removed
and the people are free 10 consider and act
for their own interests which are common
with ours under this Government, there VIII
be no great difficulty in fraternization. Be-
tween our tastes and social life there are
fewer differences than between those of the
people Of the Northern and Southern pro-
,iness Of England or Ireland. Hoping the
time may speedily come when. the power OF
the peffidious and cruel tyrant of this rebel
lion having been oyerthrown, peace may be
laid on the broad foundation of national uni
iy and equal justice 10 all, under the Consti-
tuition and Laws.
remain your fellow citizen, 3
w. s. RosEcRANs, Maj Gen.