The Placer herald., 1864-11-05
A Thrilling Letter from an old Resident
of Placer County.

OF fl0CeT COuutys
A friend has left with US the fol-
lowing letter from Mr.. George M. Murrell,
formerly q resident Of this county. When
the great rebellion broke Mr.. NJ, avowed
himself strongly in favor Of the Union. and
was much abused in consequence Of his do
lug so, by secessionists in his neighborhood:
BRlsrow, WARREN Co. KY, Der. s, '64.
Friend Huntley:- You
are fortunately situated in California in one
particular, you are measurably from under
the influence, or at least from under the aci
ton, that the political troubles OF the coun'
,ry-treason on the one hand and a worse
fanaticism on the other-have engendered
and involved the peace and happiness of our
loved country in. We here are right in the
vortex that seems to be fast sweeping our
country 10 irretrievable ruin and misery, un.
der the iendish and helish policy inaugura-
ted by this tanalically wicked administration
in power, and carried out in the name Of
Unlonism, but really with the intention Of
crushing out everything like manly thought
in the Northern heart, and overturning the
chy in all our social relations, and building
up great central despotism. | have ever
been true and loyal Union man, every pull
sation of my heart has throbbed in sympathy
for my bleeding country. had no sympa'
thy with the rebellion in its incipiency, yet
cannot ship, and that to Northern market,
the simplest products of my farm, because
do not bow in humble submission to the
ukases and bulls proclaimed and decreed BY
the Abolition powers at Washington. Ny
horses and forage have been taken without
compensation, for the Use of the federal ar,
my; my negroes impressed into the service
against their will. and lastly have been con-
scripted to go and fight in the accursed cause
OF freeing negroes overturDing State institu,
tions and constitutions, in violation Of the
Federal compact aud constitution. What
did dol bought negro substitute and
put him in the army. But if the govern
ment will make this war for the restora-
ton of the Union and an enforcement Of the
laws, according to the constitution, there
will be no need of any conscrption in Ksn-
lucky, but as Governor Andrew lyingly
promised for Massachusetts, the by-roads and
paths of old faithful, tried and true Kentuc.
ky, will be crowded with willing soldiers,
armed in right aud with might to do battle
for the Union.
will tell you a few things that l have
seen here in loyal Kentucky. have seen
good Union men deferred from the polls by
Lincoln bayonels. | have seen them arrest
ed and torn from their families and banished
from the State for no crime. | have seen
their goods and substance seized and appro
priated to the private use of soldiers and Of
ticers without compensation. | have seen
the dwellings of my countrymen devoured
by the torch of the Federal soldier, and
widows and orphans turned houseless and
almost pennyess upon the world, and that
of persons who committed no treason. And
| could have seen, had not my eyes revolted
a, the sight, prisoners of war taken from
prison, and that too after they had fairly
surrendered in fight, shot down, three or
four at one time, in retaliation for one man
killed, without ven the semblance Of a trial
or drum-head court martal-men, who
knew nothing more of the crime for which
they suffered than a babe unborn murdered
in cold blood at the dctum of some military
upstart who could win no renown upon a
fair field of battle And yet his master at
Washington knew of the blood thirsty cruel
ty of his mnion. But forsooth he loved the
negro better than he did his own race, and
was willing tool Of his master, and would
promote the election of Mr.. Lincoln, and it
would not do to dismiss him from Office. If
such men were turned out and patriots put
in their stead the South might come back,
and that would not suit the policy of those
who want our fair southern homes. Oh! no,
if the southern States should come back they
could not confscate their lands aud portion
them out to their theving bands
| have drawn gloomy picture here OF
things that have ranspred in loyal State
under my own eyes. 1t is not overwrough;
then what must be the desoIaion in the
track of that army which is fighting ostensi-
bly, for restoration of the government in
the heart Of the rebel States? 1t is a desert
waste, a Sahara of ruin and desolation.-
Last winter business cal el me on the track
of that army below Nashville, Tennessee,
and the ruin and desolation that met my eye
beggars description. know not what your
politics are, but be they what they may, |
know your heart is too good and noble TO
sanction or approve for moment such gross
oriminsity and rregularity in the army.
We Of Kentucky are going for Mcclellan.
With him think we can restore the govern
ment, but with Lincoln never.
EE There are two things American cti.
zens will do we'll to remember: