North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-04-13
CAMP NEAR BRANDY Srarrov,
March ~.

DEAR DIR Inc newspapers have lutgr;n-
cd you that our new Commarder-in Chief
(Grant) has made bis advent at the Head,
Quarters Of our army. He came with no
flourish Of trumpets mo grand review has
been ordered IN his honor. but he has taken
his position, as the plain, unos'entati0ns,
practical man that be is universally rcputcd
TO be. So far, good. Whether his presence
with the army Of the Potomac will make
vi ctory to perch upon its banners, or wheth
er its former bad luck' is still to follow It's
footsteps few short months will determine
He is hooked upon with great favor By tie
army and high hopes of ultimate success, un-
der his leadership are lndulged in. That
these hopes may all be realized am quite
sure no person more earnestly wishes than
do | but S there not possibility that the
laurals won in tho west may pale before the
superior difficulties to be encountered here
Let US not be too sanguine, though, for ouce,
we believe that we have the right man in the
right place. The fate of that "best abus ed"
of all cur Generals (McClelIan) may yet be
his for who has watched the course of
events ard does not know that uncle Abra-
ham will not tolerate General in command
who combines the elements of success with
the perfect confidence of the army and the
nation. Such an one is dangerous rival
too near the throne-a power behind il which
might grow to be greater than The throne it,
Self and then, in the words Of the Tribune,
whenever an army becomes more i0yat to
their leader than it'll! to the government (i
e. Lincoln) it is time that that leader vas
removed. At least this was the language
with which the soldiers just Indignation was
met upon the removal of Mcclellan. Grant,
however, may profit by the example and
bring matters to happier issue.
The name of Mcclellan is yet a power in
this army, and his restoration to it would
bring forth all the smothered enthusiasm
which lies deep down in its heart. Speaking
in a general way, soldiers think but little
about politics, and probably care less but
then they have their preferences, as well as
the politicians, and are earnest and honest
in the support OF them. do not doubt there
being indid.dual instances, and plenty Of
them, too, in the army, as well as out Of it.
wherein Old Abe is regarded as the Moses
who is TO lead us out of the wilderness. and
The tenets and advisements under which he
has acted throughout his Administrali IN as
best calculated for final settlement and dis
positions of mooted questions but the great
masses in this army 81 far as am enabled
to judge, have decided preference for their
old favorate chief, = Lizzie Mae and, should
lie be nominated for the Presidency, no 9th
er man will have the shadow Of chance for
gaining its suffrage.
Many Of the old soldiers, who have not re-
will be home previous to the eIcc-
tion, anu the influence they will bring to
bear will count largely 10 the general sum
ming up. 1t is wisdom az well as policy
that their preference be taken into account
and they have surely earned the right to
have a voice in the future Of lie natiup:-
They will tring with them honest indignation
against copprrheadsm. as they understand
il, and all tie other isms which mistaken
zeal and lanatic!sm have incorpo rated into
the politics Of the country and they Will
also bring with them an honest pnrpose 10
serve their country at the ballot box as they
have upon her battle fields. Give them
for candidate and they Will ask
no better pledge that the principles for which
they left their homes and their frcsidcs vii
be maintained by the party nominating him.
Thc 9th Army corps, Of which our battery
forms a part, is on the extreme right Of The
army, with its right flank resting upon Halle
river, Zone Of the tributaries of the Kappa
hammock ard its left extending to spur IL
the Blue Bridge, known as the Slaughter
Mountains We are encamped upon the
1Iantat ion Of John Minor Bolts, less than a
nile distant from his residence-one Of the
few tasteful ard elegant dwellings, to be mel
with in this part Cf Virginia. The grounds
surroun. 4ing the buildings are III
excellent preservation and present most
pleasing contrast to the wldG spread deSoIa
ton everywhere pervading less favored 10
calties. We are but short distance from
War; enton, Culpeppcr, White S'"pn"r
Springs and the Natural Bridge but, OF
course, will have no opportunity Of making
a visit to either of these celebrities except
they should happen in our line Of march.
Within week we have had every variety
of weather, from breezy Spring to chilling
Winter-Sum,ner skies, rain and snow, and
mud Intern Unable. While dame Nature is
playing such pranks, an advance Of the army
is considerably mixed with the impossible.--