The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1864-06-23
Soldiers Letter.
CAMP DOUGLAS, CHICAGO, J
June 11th, 1864.
EDITOR PLYMOUTH DEMOCRAT:

EDITOR PLYMOUTH DEMOCRAT:
Allow me, through the columns of your
paper, to state to the citizens of Marshall
county (my relatives in particularly the
circumstances of my arrest | obtained
furlough on the 10Th of February last for
disability, (termed a sick furlough,) stat
ing that if my health would permit sho'd
report to my regiment at Memphis Tenn,
in thirty days. At the expiration of that
time could scarcely move limb, being
afflicted with chronic rheumatism, so |
concluded to stay until the weather became
warm. About the middle of May | felt
like myself again and concluded to re join
my regiment, but owing to the entreaties
OF my wife, and her delicate condition at
the time, was induced to remain at home
a short time. About the 1st Of June (the
it'll, | think she freely gave her consent
for me to return, she having, few DAYS
before, given birth to child. On the
4th | stated to my friends that | should
leave for the army on the Sth inst. /
went to my fathers and babe them good
bye, and on the eth Mr.. Darlington came
to my house in Uniontown and arrested
RE as deserter. | told him the circum-
stances, and pointed to our babe, the n just
week old, and asked him if he blamed
me. He said, you are all right, and in
my own mind | think you will 90 right
straight to your regiment" and SO let me
stay with my family until the next day,
the time | had set to SO. l went to Plym-
outh on the Sth, when he (Babbington)
said l would have to 90 to LaPortc.-
When I arrived at Col Shryock's head
quarters in the evening, the Col. told them
to let me go where pleased, but ordered
me to report to him the next day, which |
did, and he gave me papers to take me to
Chicago to report to COL Strong. When
my papers were handed to him he looked
at HE surprised, and said that was arrest
ed as deserter, and that the one who ar
rested NE claimed thirty dollars reward
This money comes from my earnings, a
the rate of thirteen dollars a month.
a few words more to show the charac
ter and calling of this man Burlington
who is entrusted with government business
! He told he plainly that | would not hav,
r to suffer, and that he was satisfied 1 wa
going the next day. Now, Mr.. Babbing
to, if you knew l would go to my regimen
why did you not let NE go straight there
! instead of reporting me at LaPorte?
t think | hear you say, as you take you
glass to drink, l would not get my $50
! Darlington, how DO you get that glass o
rum Don't your conscience say it is til
s earnings of an honesl soldier, which is tn
only means he has of supporting rs FAM
y? 1t would be no worse for you to go t
! her house and take what little | coul,
{ leave for her to live upon. ] do not den
: your right to catch deserters, but you sail
e | was not Il deserter, and that any MAJ
who loved his family would do as | did
Friends, look at this in the clear light
: does it not look worse than highway rob
b berry? Here he robs the family ola sol
der who has offered his life as a sacrifice
for his country. / say he robs them Q
= their only maintenance. When | wa
( with Mr.. Darlington he was very kind
t and let me 90 whore pleased, but at tina
time | did not know he was after m
: purse for all | had to maintain my famil
r on. My friends may accuse me Of deviat
y ing from my political rectitudc because
write to the Democrat, but let me say her
4 that | heartily indorse the re-nominatio
D Of Lincoln, and the nomination of Andre,
= johnson.
t / shall start for my regiment tonight
| learn it is at Memphis, and shall be gla
to hear from my friends as soon as / gc
there Direct to j. n. Low,
e Co NJ, 9th IFS Cav. Memphis Tenn
p $50 my worthy friend at Union
town who told Burlington on Monday tn
9th inst, that if he (Babbington) did no
come the next day, he would not get hi
: thirty dollars, for [ was going to start o.
the Sth let me say, that know you, am
if 1--we out my time of service, which vii
: expire in about three months, then, sir
e you and / will have settlement.
+ j. n. L.
j Center Township Democratic
I Convention