The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-18
Letter from Col. w. B. stoEes.


wAsHTNerox, D. C., Feb. lst, 1866.
Capt W. Rickmsn,
DEAR FRiEND:-Yours of the 10Th ult
is received, aud l assure you it afforded
me much pleasure to hear from one of
the old Filth Tennessee Cavalry Ngvsr.
no never, viii | forget q of the bows
who stood to their posts like patriots
and soldiers; never will / forget the
cold, bleaching winds, and drenching
rains, and the dark nights that we have
spent together never will l forget the
many hard fought battles we were in;
never will l forget seeing my brave
boys hauled into camps q corps, and
many of the poor fellows deliberately
murdered after they had surrendered
and given up their arms. And, never
Will l forget the courage and real bra
very of the boys Of the old Fifth. lean
say with truth, l have never
seen them finch, or refuse to
charge the enemy when ordered.
We were driven from our homes for
our devotion TO our country and rever-
ence for the old flag; and, sir, in our
absence from our homes, our properts
was taken, houses pillsged, and fsmi-
lies abused and insulted, yet we won
the victory and permitted the rebels to
return 10 their homes, and to pursue
the honest avocations of life. We
were liberal and magnanimous towards
them. But l am truly sorry that some
of them are still hostile towards Union
men, and, in fact, want to hold all the
offices and rule the country. It seems
to me that they ought TO be satisfied TO
take a back seat, and be lookers-on. l
am sure that if they would do this, and
stay at home, all would be well You,
of course, see from the public prints,
that we are not yet admitted to seats
in Congress. Bat there is no doubt but
what the Tennessee delegation will be
admitted soon. But some of the Cot.
ton States will have to stand out in the
cold for some time TO come, as but few
of the men elected from those States
can take the test oath without commit
ting perjury.
Tins Congress is not going to repeal
or modify the Oath, and ought not to
do it The people of those States will
have to elect loyal men or 90 unrepre-
sented. / see hat the Legislature OF
Georgia has elected Stephens, the Rebel
Vice President, and johnson q Rebel
Senator, 10 the United States Senate.
Sir, it is an outrage upon the Union
people, and an insult to the nation. No
man who served in the Rebel Congress,
or in the army voluntarily, o. was one
Of the leaders, ought eyer to be per
/ rNTtsaA A hold an nfrna IN fhn fInnNnl
States. See that there is q call for g
Union Meeting in Nashville on the 22d
of this month, 10 give expression to
public sentiment All are invited who
are friendly TO the administration OF
Andrew Johnson, and desire the resto-
ration of the Government Old Bed
ford ought 10 Turn out in mass. All
the Union men and Federal soldiers
ought 10 be there, and speak their sen.
timents. We must stand together and
work, and if need be, fight together to
maintain our position. 1t will be ruin
and destruction TO us if the rebels
should get controlo Dur State Govern,
ment.
We support the President because
he is in favor of the Union men con.
/ trolling the country. The rebels pre-
tend 70 be for him because they Say he
is in favor of free elections, for ali TO
vote and hold office. Now, il is plain
that one or the other is mistaken in
his policy. / support him, because
know him to be in favor of the loyal
people controlling the Government /
tell you, old Andy is all right
We must keep out q strong picket,
and see that the videtts are kept IN
the saddle. The rebels must come to
our terms-we cannot 60 to theirs.
lam, of course, in favor of letting
them remein among US if they choose,
but not TO rule the country. This il
our. the Union mems country, the
Federal soldiers country, aud We
ought TO guide the Ship of state, and,
10 use the language of old Hickory
sby the eternal God we will dc il"
Some of our delegation got tired and
went home, having lost all hope OF get
ting in. took q different view OF the
case The Union men and soldiers eject
ed me TO represent them in Congress.
They ordered me to demand sdmis.
sion in their names, and | have obeyed
the order. and intend TO remain and
stand to my post, aud battle for Their
rights to the last l hope you will ex.
cuse the length Of my letter. l will
close by requesting you to remember
me kindly 10 your good lady, and to
auy of the boys of the old fifth. Ac.
cept for yourself my sincere wishes for
YOUR peace and prosperity for all time to
come.
Your friend,
W. B STOKES.