The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-10-21
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,

~-'-"
But we must he charitable. The man who
can speculate ought to DC made to take up
his muskes. When the war is over and our
Independence won,-and we will establish
our indcpcndcncc-who will be our aristoc-
racy? hope the limping soldier. To the
young ladies would say that when choosing
between an empty sleeve ind the man who
had remained at home and grown rich, al
ways take the empty sleeve. Let the old
men remain at home and make bread. But
should they know of any young man keep.
ing away from the service, who cannot be
made to go any other way, lot them write to
the Executive. read all letters sent me from
hepcoplc, but have not time to reply to
them. You have not many men left between
eighteen and forty.tive. The boys, God bless
the boys, are, as rapidly as they become old
enough, going to the field.
The city Of Macon is filled with stores,
sick and wounded. II must not be abah-
doncd when threatened. but when the enemy
come, instead of calling upon Hoods army
for defense, the old men mus. fight, and
when tho enemy is driven beyond Chatta.
nooga, they too can join in the general re-
joicing, Your prisoners are kept as sort
of Yankee capital. have heard that one
of their Generals said that their exchange
would defeat Sherman. have tried every
means, conceded everything to effect an ex.
change, but to no purpose. Butler, the
beast, with whom no Commissioner OF Ex.
change would hold intercourse, had pub
lished in the newspapers that If we would
consent to the exchange Of negroes, all dii.
fculties might be removed. This is reported
as an effort OF his to get himself white
washed by holding intercourse with gentle
men. II an exchange could be effected,
don't know but that might be induced to
recognize Butler. But in the future every
effort will be given as far as possible, to eff
feet the end. We want our soldiers in the
field, and we want the sick and wounded tt
return home. II is not proper for mo tc
speak of the number of men in the field, but
this will say, that two.thirds of our mcr
are absent, some sick, some wounded, bu'
most OF them absent without leave. Who
repcnts and goes back to his commander vol
unfairly, appeals strongly to executive elem
ency. But suppose he stays away until the
war is over, and his comrades return home,
and when every mans history will be told
where will he shield himself. II is upon
these reflections that rely to make men re-
turn to their duty, hut alter comforting with
Generals at headquarters, il there be any
other remedy it shall hc applied. love my
friends, and forgive my enemies. 1 have
been asked to send re.eniorcenents from Vir-
ginia to Georgia. In Virginia the disparity
iu numbers is Just as great Us it is in Georgia.
Then have been asked why the army sent
to the Shenandoah Valley was not sent here.
Ii was because an army OF the enemy had
penetrated that valley to the very gates Oi
Lynchburg, aud Gen. Early was sent to
drive them back. This he not only success.
fully did, but, crossing the Potomac, came
we'll nigh capturing Washington itself, and
forced Grant to send two Corps Of his army
to protec, it. This the enemy denominated
raid II so. Sherman's march into Georgia
is a raid. What would prevent them now il
E,rly was withdrawn, from taking Lynch
burg and putting complete Gordon OF men
around Richmond. counselled with that
great and grave soldier, Gen, Ice. upon all
these points. My mind roaued over the
whole field. With this wo can succeed. II
one half the men now absent without leave
will return to duty, VIC can defeat the enemy.
With that hope am going to the front.
may not realize this hope, but I know there
arc men who have looked death in the face
too often to dcspond now. Let no ono de-
spond. Let no one distrust and remember
if genius is tho beau ideal, hope is the rcali'
ty.