Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-15

you have assembling traitors in your midst
who, while they profess to be loyal to the
core ,are secretly plotting in what manner they
can be most effective in embarrassing the le-
gtimate power in its laudable efforts in bring
ing about lasting peace. based upon the en-
tire annihilation of every traitor in the land
ii ece ssary. These same men have never
word of condemnation for the traitors in arms,
but by their silence signify their acquiescence
in all their acts Aud, not content with sow
ing the seeds of treason and disunion aronnd
their own fresides, they feign would offer the
poisoned chalice to the lips of those, who
from the motives of overfowing patriotism,
at the outburst of this rebellion rushed for
ward to ayenge the insults offered to the flag
of our country. But, to the honor and glory
of these patriots be it said they have refused
the profIered draught and in doing so, they
have chselled for themselves monument
more enduring than granite, and one which
| will exist in the hearts of generous people
long after those who now disgrace their places
viii have sunk into everlasting infamy.
Up to the last few days, since our first land
ing at Hampton,t the storm King seems to have
had every thing his own way, as we have had
(oniy with few exceptions) the most disa-
greeable weather, raw and cold, with rain or
snow almost daily. But now, pleasant spring
has begun to smile upon us in all her lowell
ness, and bids fair to Danish dreary winter for
time, from our midst. Already the bright
and soon dame nature will clothe every thing
md, iv,< .
Yours truly, wnB
HEADQUARTERS, 1sT MARYLAND CAVALRY
Camp Bayard, Va, March 81, 1868.
DEAR Row But few hours since, this
army was elated with the prospect of soon
paying visit to our Gray back Cou sins across
the Rappahannock, as under the influence of a
bright sun and cool and heathful north wind,
the mud was fast dry ing up. Thus, Dame Ma
ture seemed to lend her aid in preparation for
the coming, and as we believe the last cam
paign of the war, in which we intend to ad-
minister to the rebellious rascals such a chas-
tisement as will, in the future, teach them to
respect ana obey the rules and regulations of
our worthy and ever indulgent Old Uncle
{SamueD. But as day by day the condition
VI eHO ioooS "CiC anu as luQlCa
tions OF move became more apparent, ru-
mors of an advance began to circulate so free
ly. as to induce you to believe chad you lis
tened to one-half of them) that Gen. Hooker
had at least fifty confidential advisers in onr
command, and that he was crazy when sud-
denly, the wheels of these calculat were
blocked by a fall of about three inches of
snow, which greeted our waking visions this
morning. The snow, however, is passing OF
through the melting process under drench-
ing ram, which will make the roads as bad as
they were two weeks ago. and our anticipated
visit across the river must necessarily be post
poned.
By these remarks, do not wish to convey
the idea that am very anxious to get into.
or even fight. Oh no. ! have not for.
gotten the first law of nature, nor has my
bump of canton become entirely extinct, for
experience has taught me that whenever our
brave Boys and JEFF Davis rang babys get to-
gether somebody is sure to get hurt Neither
is it to crafty sight seeing curiosity that
causes my impatience for an advance. / have
seen enough such sights, and would be among
the first to hail the bright messenger of peace,
based upon principles honorable to the Gov
ernment, as 1 certainly will be among the last |
to accept upon any other. The "Dove' must |
bring the true s.Olive branch''-we cannot be |
deceived by sprig of smart-weed in its
stead. Stern, incorporating duty alone |
makes me wish for the campaign to open-be- |
lieving that an unpleasant duty is to be per-
formed, and the sooner we are at it when all /
is ready, the sooner it will be done. Gen. |
Hooker says he is entirely ready so soon as
the roads will permit US to meet, and. as we
believe, TO beat all the enemy's of our Gov
ernment, and of its constituted authorities.
When we have done the work assigned us,
and when armed treason no longer lives but
upon the black pages Of history, we will re-
turn to the society of our loved ones, who,
we know, have long been waiting to give us
fond and hearty welcome. Not only will they
welcome US, but they W i'll join US in hating the
things lately, and appropriately named s.Cop-
Derhead Traitors'-than which, there is not
thing on earth looked upon as so despicably
mean, by the soldiers of this army, regardless
,f the political party to which they belong
7ea, univeraal 10 the hatred of the army for
uch, and we call on all our friends to hate
hem; and, moreover, if these sympathisers
,ave any sense Of manhood left (Which isto
,e doubted) we call upon them in the name
# truth aud justice to hate themselves. His
Satanic majesty, If he has any love of charac-
er, would be ashamed of an assoc iation with
uch as they, and would uncsremoniously