St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-03-17

s~S%S WI 49, ~ ~
"FEB. a6th.7 Nothing but slight
skirmishing going on: The mist and
fog settling i" the valley preeluded all
operations until eleven A. NJ. Saw the
CORRESPONDENTS of tHe MrfaM .ud Cyn{
'ci"n"ii <"mn.erctul. As soon as We
could look about Us Gen: Cleburne was
reported coming up to strike our right
faux Preparations were made to re-
ceive him, but he lied to attack. =
Soon after our cavalry were drawn in
and retrorsde movement commenced,
and at PM, our forces encarred at
RinegoM.l ata b4o4. a:ll>1o bisH91 - !
2,,~"F,B. 27TI:-Oyders to return to
our. old camp +st,o McEfee's church,
Many deserters camo within our lines, !
and in, the course of conversation with.
one Of, them. he gayo us the following
letter written him by his sister residing
near Tullahoma, Tenn. We copy It
verbatim, wishing to retain the original.
L speaks FOR ITSELF '',.~.r>4, r,~.s ;
"'Ar Hons, Dec. ,3lst, 1868.
~"'AlY OWN DEAR RRoqERs Ron l.
JOE. IT think I have the opportunity
Of running the blockade and sending
you ! letter, THO I fgsht it will I never
reach you. We;Hte all wen and ID usu.
'alahcslth.' Tho you are anxious to now
't,ow we git along With the Yankeys,
they where little rough wenua' they
first csme in after the ito but since
then they gave US quite gentleman
for a2guard and now our premises are
all Protected. we have heard great
many reports about the Yankeys but
they have behaved quite to the contra
~ they has better discipline and strick-
ter than any the soldiers and officers in
the southern army. They are all quite
genteel at our house Mrs: Sheppard
and Simpsons family aud. others have
been badly treated, BUTT was the way
they acted zq;n -. .;,,. :.,s .,". ..s.:
My dear brothers, I let you no that
We had been in a bad way If it had not
been for the Yankeys coming in we
would Of now been suffering for the
nesesaries Of lie. Your bro. Tom Is at
home and you ali can be You are
6tcing against your Best into rests and
let me beg Of you both to come Home
at the first opportunity you can take the
oath here at town and be released be at
liberty to do as you please and why con.
tend for anything that is vile and cor
rupt from the beginning and will be ut.
ter ruin to the south Mr. Lincon Par
dons all under 4 Col" that will give up
aud protects their property what more
4 could he do" AZ tor the Negroes they
with Us f fa 3D. hut will never interfere
they will: ana be done with them. i
want to see you so much aud now you
ale alive and have an opportunity to
save yourself for the federals will sure.
ly overrun the south they have the
men and the means and one united de.
termination and many are euli ting
again. Tell Jim l.. his family are well
and are lareing as, the rest Of US are
there has been no; difference in, this
Neighborhood with the Union people
we all draw ratiops from the COVER
ment all your friends in town say 70,
you to come. I fear you are 10 need
of some money. IF l send I'm frald it
will not reach you dear brother do come
Home and don't get wicked and sinful
May Heaven protect you the sincere
prayer Of your true sister r.
t8' slJriz T. .#a".l JANE CONNER"
THIS young deserter said be aud bis
brother deserted on the strength of that
letter. The document also shows the
change being wrought in the. minds Of
the people Of the, South. If q few
more such letters we're allowed to ru,,
the blockade along with some copies Of
the ".Linkum Pardon" it would be ad.
yantageous to the; Union cause. -.
'1No casualties in the "a, MINI. Bat,
tefy." Gen. Baird's ,rivision occupies
RingGold, Ca" "'''.'*' '''' Dixie.
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