The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-01-09

days we drew our chalt of life upon the
map of Future and pictured to ourselves
unal.oyed happiness, as if we could keep
the golden links of friendship, affection
and love, ever bright and pure close
the portals of the tomb, rob Death Of
his wings, Time Of his scep re, guide
the omoipotent hand of him that can
make void produce.
Then we did not dream such hydra
headed monster-Secession lay in the
womb of Future. That the Sou b would
presume so much upon the old rotting
stump slavery-under which soulless
Secession and Copperheadism have been
born-and endeavor to rend asunder the
bonds of our Union, and rear in its stead
a blasphemy bo,h to God and enigh;en
ment jeff Davis reminds US of the
yelled profit in Lalah Rock though we
wonder if he does not feel the pangs of
remorse and feel the bitterness of Ten
nyson's words when be says
"Sorrow's crown of sorrow
Is remembering happier things"
So we let our thoughts wander while
performing the wearsome vigils of the
uight, while on post.
Shade of the mighty" how delec.
table are the hours passed in the guard
house. We try to sleep, but to do so
one must have job. like patience and be
something of a gymnast, to comfort his
body into nondescript shapes, in order
to economize space. The cold wind
from crack window aud door and the hot
air from the stove, sandwich US between
,wo zones-freezing our back roasting
our front. Two Swapping fellows, per-
haps, one at either extreme, with half
their bodies reclining upon US, are striv-
ing to forget, under similar difficulties,
the sentneCs tribulations and 10 seek
repose IN the hands of Morpheus. 9th
ers, not disposed to sleep, are wbl'ing
away the hours with pack of cards,
while the adamantine drops its substance
over their coats and on the floor. But
with commendable philosophy they are
lighting discomior;s with spades and
clubs, and at each streak of good or i'll
luck, are ;ather vocifarous and emphatic
in expressions of choiue words from I'm
morrality's unabridged. Others keep
up an incessan; wrangling over he rela-
tive merits OF this or that general, and
excel, if possible, in that respect, the
card players. While the prisoners over
head are very uneasy in their SAUNDERS,
and are continually twisting and turn;n!,
nay be bad conciences and hungry !ug-,
trouble hem forcing down through the
cracks of the floor into our eyes and
mouth, if open, sand and dust. Forgive
US, Mr. Editor, for exclalming mentally
at such times
40! if there be "A h-ll on earth,
1t is this, it is this -
Our stables are all finished, and the
horses and mules seem to enjoy and i'm
prove under the change. The prospects
are that bo men and horses will be in
excel n ctnd Ion to take the field in
the ring.
There are various opinions as to the
scene of our opera ions then; some
suppose we will continue in his depart
ment until our time expires. Others we
will be transferred to the Army of the
rotonac, as it will be much reduced by
early in he Summer. Wherever we 90,
1t Shall be our aim to do our duty, hop
ing that God will reward us with life,
until we see traitors meet their doom.
BE | close, Mr.. Editor, let me in
form you how we discover Copperhcads.
We catch hold of the old rotting stump
: avery and shake it, Out comes the
Copperheads, if near, from the McClrl-
anldye to the real treason color. Also
any man that advocates Mcclellan, ad-
vocates Woodward, Seymour and Val
landigham, and has the seed of treason
within him. Potomac.