The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-04

cessionists living within close proximity TO
the railroad; these rebel sympsthizers are
furnished free transportation over. the rail
road from Chattanooga TO Marietta distance
oflone hundred aud thirty mites, by placing
certain number of them in conspicuous
places on each train thus preventing our
tram from being fred into by the rebel ma
RAIDERS. "
We had two or three trains blown up and
destroyed, by thcsen envy placing torpedoes
on the track, but Of late no interruptions
made, and a sufficient amount Of provisions
are now being forwarded to supply the.
wants Of the army. sab ssV "a.
Perhaps some Of our Northern rebel sym.
pathizsrS viii think that this is very bar
barous way Of treating their Southern broth.
rem down 10 Dixie Let me say to them
the army says that General Sherman is jus.
tilted in the act, aud we would delight in
seeing good numbsr of them compelled to
accompany. their brother bridge burners Gas
protection to our railroad engines and roll,
ing stock free Of charge, and furnished
with subsistence that would only, be neces.
sary for existence. We think that sucn
treatment here ia this sweltrv climate,
would soon put an end to their faultfnding
and harpng against the administration, the
prosecution of the war, &c. ,s,,elt i,fx-xt
! +, Another, mail has arrived, and large
number Of lhey bows assemble in group
around the resmental postmaster, awaiting
its Distribution. But few of the boys are
made the glad recipients of letters from
home and loved ones far wav. What would
be the feelings Of that parent If he could see
his boy as he turns ard walks leisurelv back
to his post Of duty rnuttering to himself
mo letters from home to dav. father certain.
" has forgotten me and mother too. has neg.
lected to write me that lengthy misslve that
l once received regularly every week." I
think that some parents and even friends
should be more prompt in writing to their
friends and relations in the army, they
should give men all the encouragement that
they possibly can, as all is needed in such
trying times as these. nuua p
The popular sentiment Of the armv is
strongly in favor of the reelection of"Old
Abe" We claim it to be his great duty to
veteranize, the same as did a large number
Of his soldiers, that it would be doing him
great injustice to remove him fro a posi-
ton that he has long il'ea with unequalef
ability and uppar alleled success, and to
place the reinS Of government in the hands
Of one VINO would be unqualified and uaac-
quainted with the duties with which his
mind would be tasked.
The result OF the coming convention at
Chicago is looked for by the army with a
great deal ofinterest. It's believed by many
that the traitor Vallandingham viii be one
Of the prominent candidates for nomination,
as we learn already that he has been APP
pointed delegate to the convention.
A letter from Johnston's army. published
in the Atlanta Appeal of June 9Th says:
"The late Northern news regarding VaIand.
ingham's return and his enthusiastic re.
ception is subject of much discussion. and
looked upon as favorable to our cause" I
have conversed with la ge number Of rebel
deserters that are daily coming into our
lines, and they all give proof of the fact,
that in the rebel army and especially the
rebfa officers. there exists great amount of
sympathy for Vallandingham. They be.
lieve that he will eventually accomplish some
traitorous act, that will result greatly in IA
vor Of the confeieracv. Oh We Valland-
inghamers and peace men have Won .contem
plated in your own minds the fate that
awaits you'll WHY do you still persist in
bidding defiance to the civil and military
laws Of the country Would you have a
civil war inaugnrated in your midst, and a
devastating army. to march the length and
breadth of your State ? Would you have
your houses burned, your property destroy
ed, aud your cultivated fields made barren
desert? Ifso, go onin your hallish schemes
by opposing eve ything connected with the
prosecution Of the war. !,
For three long wearisome years. have
your homes and firesides been protected by
military power that you detes,. The seat
Of war has been carried into the interior oil
the States that are in rebellion against the
government and to day you are found ma
king both public and private demonstration.
in almost direct opposition to those that in
sure and give to you your only protection
your lives and your property.
On the lnorning of July 18th, McPherson's
army commenced moving from R,swell ION
the Cnattahoochie) in the direction of Deca
tur, small town six miles east of Atlant,
on the Georgia railroad running to Au gusta
We had proceeded but short distap ce
when or advance became engaged with |
cavalry AMI artillery force Of the enemy :
Our advance guard being the 9th III. mount
ed Infantry, and partly armed with Whit
news seven shooting carbines, and unde
command Of Lieut.. Colonel Phillips, brav
and efficient officer, and said to be the bes
and 9st successful raider in Gen. Dodge
command After short encounter with thu
enemy Phillips succeeded in forcing bacl
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