Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-06-29
The Refuge of Rebels.


With large class Of rebels who were re-
Gently in arms against the country, unoiush-
ing falsehood and persistent lying are prac-
ticed as if among the cardinal virtues.
What is particularly noticeable is the fact
that they are cure to find refuge and en-
dorsement in the party which sympathised
with them during their attempt to destroy
the government A short time ago letter
appeared from periured traitor who de-
serted the United States army after having
been educated at West Point, and swearing
faithfuness and allegiance, whose name
figures as j. Bankhead Magruder In that
aware that he (the traitor) intended to go
into the rebel service, and that he (the said
traitor being on the most friendly terms
with Mr. Lincoln, had told him of his in
tention, and that the President made no
objection to his going, but bade him a
kindly and affectionate farewell OF course
this wa. rebel lie, and was made up to in
jure the memory of the distinguished and
beloved Lincoln.
The same Magruder took occasion to
charge Hon. Simon Cameron with falsehood
for making truthful statement on the
floor of the United States Senate. OF
course no sensible loyal ps per credited the
REBEL story. but the papers which sympa-
thised with treason eagerly reproduced the
traitors letter assuming that General Cam
eron was the liar, and their rebel pet the
pink of honor, frankuess and truth, having
always credited the stories of traitors in
preference to loyal men. Now, however,
we have letter from Major General Stur-
gis, true and loyal officer of the army,
who was in Washington when Magruder
deserted to the traitors army. General
Sturgis was familiar with all the circum-
Stances attending the desertion, and he now
comes forward in card in which he relates
the substance of conversation between him.
self and Mr.. Lincoln concerning this man
Magruder. According to General Sturgis.
Mr.. Lincoln said:
'MagAlder came to see me the very eve
ming before he left, and voluntarily said,
while expressing his adherence of secession,
Sir, | was brought up and educated under
the glorious old fas ; [ have lived under it
| and have fought under it, and, sir, with the
help of God, shall fight under it again,
and, if need be, shall die under it ~ The
| very next day." the President continued,
'Magruder abandoned US So that at the
very moment he was making to me these
protestations OF loyalty and devotion, he
must have had his mind fully made up to
leave. And it seemed the more wanton
and cruel in him, because he knew that
had implicit confidence in his integrity
The fact is, when | learned that he had
gone over to the enemy. and had been SO
completely deceived in him, my confidence
was shaken in everybody, and | hardly
knew whom to trust anymore.
Against the character of Gen. Sturgis
there is not whisper of suspicion. He
kept his oath and fought for his country.
His statement is believed by all who are not
themselves in sympathy with the cause for
which Magruder deserted the army. 1t is
noticeable fact, however, that the papers
which were so ready to parade the traitor
letter before the public are silent over this
| contradiction by true and loyal soldier
! Magruder' conduct solves one of the many
problems as to how the rebels came into
, possession of all the acts of the President at
the beginning of the war This miserable
drunken traitor remained as a spy while
pretending loyalty to the old flag, SO that he
could the better aid the rebels.