The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16
ByNKER'S HILL, W. VA,
November 18th. 1860.
!. Of The Nc,r Era:

November 18th, 1860.
T. Tic Editor 81 the Nc,c Era:
VIII you permit me to occupy a sH1all
space in your liberal columns to notice a
few remarks of your Worthy contempor-
airy, the Berkeley Onion, which appeared
in its issue of the 18th inst, in which, in
speaking Of the assistance and support
which the I" first families" and wealthy
farmersn who adhered to the Union
cause in this county, rendered to the
government, says: "Their Unionism
was always ola very conservative type,
and never exhibited itself in any overt
acts of assistance to tho Union eause.'-
"They were never special objects of
to rebel CONSUMPTION or spoliation; We're
never imprisoned in rebel dungeons, or
compelled to flee for their lives at the
approach of rebel armies.n
Now, Mr.. Editor, permitme toask these
"home veterans" what assistance or
support did they render to the National
Government during that terrible civil
strife, which has left the homes of SO
many Of their 1ellow-creatures desolateo
And what has been their loss during
this cruel war? Did they have farms
to be thrown into such {; dilapidated
condition that they resemble more the
public commons than a once we'll fenced
and cultivated farm? Have they had
their stock driven Off before their faces
by rebel soldiers, without any eompen
sation whatever No, | think not
And why did not these noble champions
now Of our then struggling country,
arise at the cry OF battle, shoulder their
muskets, and march to drive the swiftly
advancing rebel armies from our county?
But no, sir; they did nothing, thought
of nothing, but how, in the confusion OF
the moment, they would best be able to
take care of "number one"
Secondly, he asserts as a truth that
they "Were never subjected to rebel con-
scription and spoliation." Will any
honest or truthful man in this county,
no matter how bitter his sentiments are
at this time, vouch for the truthfulness
of this remark: No, sir, l think not
for / myself have known men of this
county arrested at their homes, and
marched to Winchester as conscripts
and in the second place, in regard to
their not being subjected to the spolia-
ton of rebel armies, the umtruthfulness
of the remark is SO palpable, that any
person, 10 matter how blinded he is by
party hate, can see through il imme-
diately.
Thirdly, THAT they We're never i'm
prisoned in rebel dungeons, or compelled
to flee for their lives at the approach of
rebel armies.' Wherefore do not these
heroic, war-Worn veterans publish to
the world the sell-sacrihcing and indom-
table will and perseverance which they
have shown, and hardships they have
experienced, in their campaigns to get
across the Potomac. Oh, cruel and
hard-hearted fellow-citizens why do
you not raise your voices TO herald forth
the praise Of these heroic champions of
sectional liberty! Can you who have
been enjoying all The Iuxuries of life,
salary OF from six hundred to twelve
hundred a year, rest quietly ia Your lux
urious beds, and not remember that
there isaduty for you to perform, a duty
Which IS imperative; and that duty
this, to appoint y committee Who Will
investigate their gallant deeds, and who
will then have them written in verse,
that all may learn to sing the praise and
recount the noble deeds which our
home veterans" performed during
their fatiguing and laborious march To
gain the north bank of tie Potomac.
\ CITIZEN.
Got. Uric D0AfGpeH.