The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-07-07

Ed. CoumER.-You doubtless will think
the time somewhat prolonged in receiving .
Communication from member of the sec
ond Iowa veterans but as you must know,
that since my return to the, regiment, the
facilities for writing communications fora
newspaper Of any kind has been very poor,
having been engaged in an active field cam
paisn ever since my arrival, and present
prospects are, that the present campaign win
continue length Of time that am not now
able to state. Ny journey to the regiment
was very pleasant one, stopping at Dayen-
port, Chicago, Louisville and Nashville
sufficient length Of time TO take stroll
through each of the above cities. looking at
the many inventions and improvements OF
modern times. But the next interesting
spectacle that l witnessed during INV jour,
ney was at the SOLDIERS Rest" in Chicago,
"3oldier's Rest" is situated on the margin Of
Lake Michigan, near the Union railroad
depot, was built by funds contributed by the
U. 8. Sanitary commission. for the benefit
and accommodation Of all soldiers going or
returning from their regiments. saeee4e B
The provisions furnished are Of the 6rst
quality, and are cook ed and placed upon the
table by some of therichest and most res
pectable ladies residing in Chicago. Prece,
ding our arrival 1t was announced that q
regiment of colo,ed troops would come in on
the first train from Quincy. Dense crowds
Of spectators assembled near the depot to
witness their arrival s .a8ai.T sR
The regiment commanded by. Col. Bross,
was marched from the depot to the break
fast table, where they partook OF hearty
meal. The "blue boys were apparently en-
joying themselves finely, they did not seem
to be daunted or discouraged in the least,
with the intelligence ofsthe sad disaster that
had so lately befallen their comrades al the
massacre of Fl Pillow. ~ Ga Ere .I4oy
took occasion 10 converse with quite q
number Of them and theyian seemed to nm
derstand perfectly well the principal canse
of the rebellion, and the cause IN which they
were about to engage, and they all express
ed determined resolution and fixeG de.
termination. to neither take or be taken
prisoners Of war; Soon after their arrival
Col Bross, commanding the regiment, az
old Western Pioneer and man7of expert
enced military talent. was presented with q
splendid horse and saddle equipments BY
the citizens Of Chicago. Col. Eastman, .
man Of undoubted LOYALTY, made the presen
tation speech, in which he used the follow
ing appropriate language, "Col. Bross, these
men must be cared for and protected. They
are enabled by their aspirations to liberate
their race from bondage; they are made hike
unto ourselves by the uniform they wear.
For every life sacrificed by them to rebel
cruelty, the life ola rebel shall be the for
felt. an act Of torture for an act of torture !;
that should be the policy of our Government.
But we must first get even with the brutal
foe, these co!ored troops should take no moro
prisoners until the massacre Of Fl. Pillow is
avenged" At the conclusion Of Col. East
mans remarks, Col. Bross replied in a BRET,
eloquent and feeling address. Shortly af.
forwards the "black and blue boys" march.
ed to the #. Wayne depot. en- routs for the
seat of war Perhaps some Of my copper
head friends residing In your community
may find great deal of fault with the above,
by saying that the writer il believer and
an advocate of negro equality; such may be
the case, but there is one thing quite Ger
tain, we have large number of such be-
lievers here in the army. The fate of un
believers is recorded in both the old and new
testan,ents. ~. t.2 Fa}S ia4
And would further say to all such nice
friends, that we do not believe in negro
equality, or negro voting, far from it, but we
do claim that they should at least be allowed
the same privilege as traitors and rebels
Brownlow says that "traitors only have two
nights, one to be hanged, and the other to
be damned" Now we do not propose to
exercise such authority over race of peo-
pie that have never rebelled, but will con.
d1ct our energies for the freedom, emanci-
patton and best interests of the negro race,
the suppression of rebellion, the punish
ment of al enemies to the government, and
the restoration of the Union, based upon the
principles of Freedom and Liberty.
In speaking of the political issues, that
seem to divide an almost denoraiized and
distracted people, cannot possibly fail to
give that old defunct party faction Of politi.
cal demagogucs a brief but passing notice.
Ifthere yet remains land doubt not but
there does) any person that yet INDUCES IN
the vain hope Of still opposing further
prosecution of the war, 7 would address
them in the language ofa departed states
man, who said "Let the traitor cherish such
sentiments in the solitude of his breast, or
breathe it only in confidence of friendship,
or let him Danish from his lips the hypoc-
risy Of the demagogue, equally deceitful and
degraded.
"wi.h smooth Discrimination skilled In grace.
DEVILS purpose with an angels face"
As for news concerning the movements RI
this srmy, It win be needless for me At this
date to attempt to give you history of the
many maneuvers and NOV ements of the ar.
my since the advance was commenced from
Chattanooga. Your readers are acquainted
with the history Of the movements of Sher.i
man aud his irrepressible army up to the