Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-11-30
Letter from the 45th Regiment.
CAMP 18th REGT- P. V. v, !
NEAR FVRT FISHER. Va.
~ T-I rGGt

e. 11"@toFS - mixing some OF
your readers would like to hear from US,
ana wishing to give the people in general
some OF our views in regard to the events
Oh the past summer, thought | would
write short letter for the Gazette. Some
may think that we are too harsh, but being
placed in the circumstances which surround
the soldiers of the Union, we realize the
truth OF what we say.
Our company was raised at BelIeville. in
the fall of 1861, when we for the first time
lett our peaceful homes for the battle field.
After more than two years service we
were a part of the army that took posses
sion OF East Tennessee, and afterward with
stood seige of twenty one days in the city
OF Knoxville. just one year ago to-day.
About the first of January, 1864, we re-
enlisted as regiment for three years more,
and were allowed to return to our homes
on thirty days furlough During those
thirty days we enjoyed ourselves finely, and
formed many new acquaintances But,
alas many of our comrades who shared
this enjoyment with US, are now reposing
In the treason cursed soil of Virginia
some are languishing in rebel prisons; 9TH
ers are at home and in hospitals, suffering
from wounds and disease, while the few of
us who remain, still confront the enemy.
That We have passed through the most ac-
tive as well as the seyerest campaign
OF the war, our thinned ranks will show
We arrived in front of Petersburg on
the 10th of last June, and after taking pos
session of several of the enemy's works,
we entrenched our position, and the siege
OF Petersburg commenced We now had
time to reflect upon the scenes through
which we had just passed
During the month of july, our ewes
were all naturally turned northward, as
we were interested in the result of an eec-
ton to take place in August That cleo
ton was to decide whether the people of
the Ncrth would stand by their soldiers
and give them the privilege of exercising
IN the field right dear to all American
citizens, or despise their rights as freemen
We anxiously waited for the verdict of the
people. Finally, it came, and we were glad
to hear that we had been granted the priv
ilege of voting in the field by handsome
majority. Good for the old keystone
State! We then examined the returns
from the counties, and found that Mifflin
county decided to stand by her soldiers in
the field, and encourage and support them
IN their efforts to subdue the rebellion,
But when we came to the townships, we
found that Brown township refused to sup
port her soldiers, denied them the exercise
OF their former rights, grieved when they
were victorious, and rejoiced when they
were defeated. The returns of tFat cleo
tion will be recorded to the shame of Brown
township and stamp her with infamy for
years to come. We are ashamed of her,
and own our residence within her limits
only to condemn her She is blight up-
on the honor of the county, and a disgrace
to every soldier she has sent to the field.
There are some good, honest and respecta-
BILE citizens in that township; those we love
and respect and are are willing to fight for
their protection, but they are in the minor
ity, and are surrounded by copperheads of
the most treacherOus kind, who are enc.
mics to our country, enemies to our free
institutions, enemies of the soldiers who
have rallied to save the life of the nation
at the expense of their own, and who have
braved every danger and hardship to keep
the old flag flying.
1t costs US pang of sorrow that we are
shedding our blood to protect the lives of
our country's enemies.
"But, tories, we can face the bullets
Your Southern friends shall send
But, oh! we viii not forget UOu
When this cruel war shall end"
Previous to the November election, we
urged upon our friends at home the impor.
tance OF sustaining the Union candidates,
not only on account of the great principles
at stake and the known disloyaltv of the
opposition candidate for Vice President,
but because the rebels in arms desired the
success of our opponents, expecting by
that success to gain their independence
and make true the assertion in the Chicago
platform, that tie "war is a failure"
"But all along the rebel earthworks,
We have savage shoutlngs heard
You viii scarce believe it. brothers.
But Mcclellan the word"
But the elections are now past for this
year: Abraham Lincoln is reelected
president of the United States for the
next four years. We have conferred on
US as soldiers of the Union, the privilege
of voting in the field, but no thanks to
Brown township for either result
But must now turn my attention from
our enemies in the rear TO those in trout.
Hark it Is the bugle sounding:
Grant stlll finds US work TO do;
But, oh! we'll not forget those traitors
When this bloody war is through"
Yours truly,
J.S. NJ.