Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-15
Raftsmaa's gpnrnal.
0LEARFIELD, Pa, APRIL Is. 1863.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "JouRNAL
SUFFOLK, Va, MARCH 3OTH, 1863

SUFFOLK, Va, MARCH Both, 1868.
DEAR Row With your kind indulgence,
hropose to write you again, briefly, some
thoughts that may most readily suggest them
selves 10 my mind, npon the various topics
which now seem to engage the attention of
every loyal heart. The first thing 1 shall do.
however, will be TO let you know how we got
here. Soon after last wrote you, we were
assigned for dnty with the Sd Division 9th
Army Corps, and that command having re-
ceved orders on the 18th instant, to report to
Gen. Peck at Suffolk, it implied of course oui
moving with it. Accordingly, on the-l5th,
we embarked at Newport News on board the
Steamers Gen. Washington and Georgia, and
, after two hours steaming we reached the dock
st Portsmouth and Immediately disemharked
and started for this point, where we arrived
on the evening OF the 10th, a distance of p
miles from the latter place. Since our arri-
val nothing of public Importance has traus-
pired that You not already cognizant Of
but can assure you that every preparation
compatible with the exigencie. of the service
Is being made for any emergency that may
possibly arise from the desperate straits to
which the traitors are said to BE- driven. If
desperate straits require desperate exertions
to prop up their waning fortunes ere they are
willing to yield, there can be no telling at
what time, and in what direction they may
hope for even temporary success That the
Rebellion is on the decline, there are very few
here who are disposed to doubt. If evidence
Is wanted TO sustain this belief, it is to be
found in careful study of the news from the
rebel capitol and the numerous corrobora ting
statements Of refugees from that land OF op-
preston and ruin. One can readily discern
that tho empty boasts OF rebel prowess and
rebel invincibihty, mad use OF by the former,
are much more faint and OF less frequent oc-
eurreucc now, than formerly. Their exagger-
sted stories Of their splendid successes, both
on land and sea, has been changed into whi-
ming and complaint about the numberless diff
hcnlties in the way of the final and triumphant
communication of their ideas of independence.
Add to this, the reaction that is fast gaining
upon the minds Of the-popuiar masses of the
North from an almost open hostility, or false
neutrality, to the support of the constituted
powers OF the Government, and no loyal man
will dare TO deny, that the prospects Of the fu-
tnre augurs we'll for the speedy overthrow of
the most sanguine hopes of Davis 4 Co. in
the south, and the utter Illustration of the
widest snticipations OF the most strenuous
advocate OF peace among the CopperhUds of
the loyal states
1t Is with intense feelings OF satisfaction |
that the news comes to US Of the returning
confidence of the people in the wisdom, ntee- |
iiy, AMI expedency OF the war measures of |
the Administration in its graplings at the very
hie oil this unnatural rebe llion. When this |
cnrrens is conducted by some of the brightest |
ih'eiiects OF the age, whose opinions have al |
ways been al variance with those of the party |
~" IN po"er'and who have recently renounc-
ca 'ns fatal theory that this stupendeus diff |
ncuit! would be adjusted by other agencies |
'han the arbitrament of arms, we may. one
ana ailsSell take hope afresh for the saliva
Won OF the Republic. They have wisely taken 1
'ne traitors at their word, reiterated times /
""hout number,) that peace on any terms
.'''' OF the recognition OF the sou Tn as an in.
dependent nation was simply an impossibility.
iHeh' let them not be sparing In their denun-
''A'iohs OF northern traitors, who are too cow
A'ily to stake ther fortunes with their breth-
ven ID arms. but content themselves with WELD
'"s 'he baser weapons of the assassin and
"uFaerer. Let them stand up with un broken
iront, demanding in the name of fieaven-in
'"e name Of an outraged Natianality-in the
lame OF the thousands of martyred heroes
'"A' now sleep the sleep that knows no wa
N'os, whose lives have been sacrificed in de-
renee OF the dearest rights of mainland in
'"e name Of those who have left their fresides
A"a all the associations OF home and friends,
W stand living wall between the usurper and
Tue object Of his malev oence that, rather than
'Onsent to the dismemb berment Of this glori-
''' union of states and founding upon their
runs anarchy and despotism, every traitor,
D'erersr found, may be wiped from the soil
he now policies.
notice by the Journal of the 18th, that the
people Of Clearfeld are not Indifferent to the
great issue at stake, and are now organizing,
'or concert of action, to thwart the mschina-
'ions oil those in their m idst who, to advance
'ne'r peculiar interests, would not stop at any
'ning short of the dissolution of the Union.
f"riots OF Clearfeld you have q mighty .
YORK 10 perform as the dearest interests of
'Ae present and rising generations are staked
upon the issue of this rebel llion. If the ene-
mes Of the Government are so far perm itted
"patch up temporary peace By bargaining I
-'n traitors. red with the gore of your neigh.
'0's nd friends, the infamy that will descend |
" f""t.s'ty can never be effaced. But if, on