Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-10-26

ARMY OF TIE PoToMAc.
BEFoREPETERsBURG. VA.
n. 10 1894

received private letters from different po-
litical friends, asking my opinion both in
reference TO the results Of the present
military campaign and the approaching
Presidential campaign; l hope the follow
ing remarks may find a place In your COL
umns, and moi be entirely without inter
est TO your readers.
As regards the present military cam
paign, l think l can say without exager-
alton, that history no where records so
complete a series of victories on the
side, and Of defeats on the other, as has
characterized and rendered illustrous the
history of this campaign, commencing
May last, and to close | trust with the
downfall and humiliation of this REBEL
ion.
The enemy in Georgia have been driV-
en- from his various strong holds, defeat
ed in nearly every engagement, and well
nigh scattered to the winds, with demon
alization written in every heart, and dis
pair on every brow. That once formid
able rebel army, known as Gen. Bragg's,
is now reduced to an unweildy rahble,
trembling and fleeing at the approach Of
General Sherman's victorious veterans.
The hitherto boasting and insolent in
vading army of Gen. Early, is now scat
tered fleeing before its conquerers; seek
ing for safety among the forests and
mountains of Virginia, and now the on
ly real organized army the enemy has left,
is the one at Richmond, shut up within
the defences of the rebel capital, crouch
ing beneath the conquering army OF
Lieut.. Gen. Grant, tightening its folds
around on every side, cutting of their
communications and supplies from the
South. The left wing of his army has
advanced from the Weldon R. R. to with
in less than a mile of the Danville or
South side R. R., with forts commanding
and holding it. and the right wing ex-
tends across the James river, within four
nriLs; of the rebel city, laundering at her
very gates, day and night. This is a brief
ontline of what the Federal armies have
accomplished on the battle field, and in
turning from the Militsry to the Presi-
dental campaign, ! need only say, that
i is supremacy preposterous to think for
a moment, that the soldiers in the field
will peril their lives fighting for our cause
for the preservation of the Republic
for fresdom-for liberty, and at the same
time vote for another, the direct opposite
for dismemberment-for anarchy, or
for tyranny.
I am sorry to know that there are even
a few in the army, who Influenced and
blinded by copperhead friends at home.
will allow themselves through persuasion
TO stoop so low rs to turn their backs to
the army and the Union. and with their
faces towards the rebel cause, disgrace
themselves in the sight of their fellow
soldiers. and humanity, by voting for
George B. Mcclellan and George II. Pen
! dleton for President and Vice President
of the United States, but 1 am happy to
know that the masses ia the field know
too we'll what they are ~oontendiDg for,
either to be deceived by traitors in the
North, or intimidated by rebels in the
South.
In ordinary times 1t matters very lit
tie whe are elected President and Vice
-.
President of the United States. The
candidates may differ in regard to many
questions of public policy, but they all
agree in this, that it is the duty Of the
chief Executive of the Nation to preserve
the unity and integrity of the Republic.
But now for the first trial in the history
of this nation, the question presented tc
the American people is Union or Dlsun
ion-integrity of the Republic or dis
acknowledgements or no govern
ment-lsw and order or anarchy and
confusion. There can be 10 misunder-
standing the question at issue. We can
not vote for General Mcclellan indiyid
ually as a man, but if we vote for him
we must vote for the whole cause he rep.
resents, set forth at Chicago. and drag
along Into Office George 81. Pendleton; a
man whom every true soldier and patriot
detests and abhors. Alexander II. Steph
ems, the rebel Vice President, in a recent
letter, written September %, 1854, to his
Georgia friends, said that The action o
the Caicago Convention, so far as its plat
form of principles go, presents q ray oI
GghL which may prove the dawn of the
day to this long and cherries night, The
first ray Of lightI hare sssn fromha NORTH
since The var begun.
General Mcclellan represents thos,
who endorse those actions Of the Chicago
Convention, and expects to receive then
support, and to walk arm in arm with
George q. Pendleton, a moro crafty reb
Ell sympathiser than whom the world neV
er saw.
When we consider the character of
our glorious chieftain, and the great cause
he representa-, all minor consideration:
should sink into insignifcance, and
the whole loyal American people should
a:ouss to their utmo st eIertion, and rally
around this flag, which has been unfurled
TO the breeze bearing the honored names
of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew John
son, aud while the Federal armies are
moving upon the enemy. driving him
within his fortified defenses, c%ireling
around him with an iron grasp, and thun.
dering at the gates of his capital, you
should gain such a victory al the ballot.
box on the 9th of November, as will
strike terror to every rebel heart in the
South, and spread confusion and dispair