, 1864-08-15
An Appeal from u Western Soldier.
IL FRoNe OF ATLANTA, Aug: 5. 1861

y
Editors Cbie,go Tribune:
Will you alloAT a solder, through the
columns OF your paper, 10 present few
thoughts and sng> estions to our friends
In Chicago ard the great Northwest,
for soldiers do sometimes think,
and though they may not express
themselves in military matters, may they not
shall prove beneficial in military point Of
view. Having Just read the statement In
your columns OF July eth "of thoL eaods OF
barrels Of vegetables Issued. By the United
States Sanitary Commission to the army Of
tie Potomac during only the h1er eigateta
days Of list month, In, which 5, ,S5S barrels OF
pota1ces, 2, 70 bar1els Of onions, ,408 barrels
ci pickles, sos batrels OF assorted vegetables,
III barrels OF dried and many barrels Of
green apples, were distributed leaving still a
qusntit, Of stock On hand to be disposed Of
among the hospitals" the following
thourhts sugsea1ed. themselves, which de.
eiEe to resent to your numerous readers:
We re1oic. in their good fortune in tins re-
spect, but a. We are as favored, and feel equal
j. entitled to such gtIts, the question aEiaes,
Why are onr wants overlooked: 1s the
United States Sanitary Commission exclu-
sively devoted to the army Of the Easts or
| does only the East contribute tor this pur-
! pose: Are the people there more generous,
their soil more productive, their responsi-
bility greater than chose Of the West! We
cannot, We will not believe It. Has our
Eastern srmy shown more bravery, endured
selves to the q. s. s. c., md the entire
North, than this army, that their wants
should be thus bountttully supplied, willis
We are totally deprived Of all the above lux.
uries? # 30 1--WE cannot see 1t In that
light" It is with pride that VIC boast Of our
ity Of its people, their bravery, endurouce
and perseverance,, but We do feel there is
something wrong somewhere; for If the
West has contributed for this purpose, what
has become Of it-Where has 1t gone to, that
none Of It has reached us during this arduous
campaign? >.
The i6cessant tolls Of nearly three mouths
in driving the enemy from their almost in-
accessible mountain tastuesses, buildin&,
chareiug or flanking miles Of earthworks and
fortiasatfons, has tsinned or 5anks n, n a
We have had our allowance Of Government
ratious, which, however, without vegetable
| diet, brings scurvy, diarThea, loss Of appe.
tite, general debility, and quite too often The
soldier to his grave. Gould our friends at
energetic exertior in raisiug. collecting aud
forwarding vegetable TODD for the men Of
| this army, how many q grateful sol
dier'e heait would breathen y prayer In their
| behalf-hoW many & soldier saved to bis
country and his fr1erds! We are glad to see
l2dL 0uA OE4NtE0 AQ1 Luz uAAE d MUf c
in this direction, and with the help of the
loyal papers Of our own loved West, the sol
| .diers IN Gen. sherman's army send up from
Georgia, and out over the prAiries, an earnest
appeal for vegetables; so that while We are
knocking at the ga.es Of atlanta, our friends
may be collecting and forwarding the much
needed supplies. Every one can do some.
thing. We look to the Sanitary Commis-
sion. they look to the people. Let those who
hare nothing to contribute, solicit and col
lect what others will give. Friends, parents,
brothers and sisters, We appeal to you; shall
We ask In yainf
When the 18th was home on veteran fur
Tough, We received short and appropriate
add1ees Of welcome ut the Soldiers Rest,
from Col Eastman, who, while gazing upon
our battle-scarred and tattered flag, pro missed
us new one upon our return to the field
But We returned without the promised gift !;
|. perhaps 1t was for the best, for in the despe-
rate charges of the foe upon the 18th and
nh corps, on the 22d OF July, our division
met with Temporary 1epulse, In which our
Gnlant color sergeant, In attempting to save
our old flag, was severely wounded and ooth
captured. Since then We have marched,
fought and b1ed without one Tin the charges
again made on the 15th corps, July 23th), and
we hope coon to conquer the foe, though he
| fights here no7 with the co1rage OF deBpera-
tion, and enter Atlanta triumphant, without
| flag But If enouge Of us are left after
! this struggle, to have dress-parads, or attend
| reviews, then we shall want one. When
ehal} 1t be forthcoming: Chicagoans, Col
| :. 55th Ill Vat. Vol. Inf.