Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-02-14
ANTlETAM.
The Union and Rebel Dead-kre They
Entitled to Equal Honors?-Jonh Co.
vode to Governor Fenton.
HousE or REPRESENTATIVES,.

WAsHINoToN, ID. c., January II, 1868. !
To Gorernor II. L. Fcntoa, Albany, N. J.
SIR have received, with sorrow ane
sstonishmcnt, your letter recommending
national honors to the rebels whose in
vasion Of the North was stopped by deatl
in battle, on the field Of Antieiam. YoI
say:
~ strong local and individual feeling
in the neighborhood of Antietam anC
other parts of Maryland, naturally engcn.
dercd by the invasion, may have ereaicC
some Indifference in regard to the Conied
crate dead, aud an jndisposition to sec
them buried side by side with those who
died ia defense of our nationality, but il
is confidently believed that no such feel.
ing pervades the breasts Of the American
people, or the surviving officers and sol
diers Of the Union armies.
"When we recall the generosity ant
moderation that marked the conduct oil
the people, the Government aud the army
during the war, aud the magnanimity that
presided at its close; when We remember
that our counirymen are now engaged II
the work OF reconstructing the Union on
the basis Of universal freedom, aud will
au earnest desire to restore To the South
eru States prosperity Infinitely greater
than that which slavery aud rebellion
conspircd to destroy, IL is impossible ia
believe that they would desire TO make au
invidious distinction against the mo'der'
ing remains Of the Confederate dead, oi
that they would disapproye OF their being
carefully gathered from the spots where
they fell, and laid to rest in the National
Cemetery on the battle field OF Antietam
'Conquerors as we we're in that great
struggle, our stern disapproval of the
cause in which they fought, need not for
bid our admiration Of the bravery with
which they died. They were Americans,
misguided, indeed, and misled, but still
our countrymen; and we can not remem-
Der them now either with enmity or un.
kindness
/ have read these para graphs twice and
thrice, but dmness other than the film
of age, obscures them to our vision. Ii
is in vain that have wiped the spectacles
Of an old man, and endeayored deliberate
y and clearly to see in your words a JUS
tification for the recommendation they
make. Two forms come between my sight
and the printed page. They stay there
and will not move away. One Of them is
the figure of my eldest son, the Colonel
of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry-as
brave, devoted, and generous boy as
ever filed fathers heart with pride and
made a mother happy. lie covered with
his regiment retrograde movement of a
column OF our army, under Sheridan, in
June, 1864, fighting every rod Of his way.
lie fell badly wounded. His men en-
deavored to carry him off; but holly pur-
sued, several Of them were killed or disa.
bled. He told his Major to leave him,
and save himself and the command, and
try to make a stand on the next hight, and
there gain time for the great wagon train
ahead, to escape to the James River. My
son was laid upon the grass beside the
highway, his men obeying his orders to
return to their ranks and leave him with
the dead and wounded Of his regiment, to
await capture.
The rebels coon came up, and, as have
been told, shot him again, when he lay
helpless on the ground, stripped him Of
his sword, money, watch, boots and cloth
ing, and left him naked to die. An old
colored woman, living in the neighbor-
hood, brought him water to drink while
he was dying. The next day he was bur-
led in her garden.
Governor Fenton, the figure Of this
murdered boy; SO comes between my eyes
and the text of your recommendation Of
National honors to the rebel dead, that
cannot see in il reason from which faith
cEs and mothers who love their children,