, 1872-10-10
A REAL SOLDIER ON BURNSIDE.

Suggestions from General Slocum-
Siil1 References to Fredericksburg,
East Tennessee, and the Mine E1'
pIosion.
General i. E. burnside:
DEAR GENERAL: have read with great in.
tereat your address to the soldiers and sailors
who served in the Union army and navy during
the late war. AsI was one OF the soldiers al.
luded to, trust you will not be displeased i
say few words IN response thereto. You
sentatives, met at Pittsburgh and adopted
series Of resolutions which we
have already seeu~ lou complain that h1r. Gree
ley hiss expressed the opinion that you assem-.
bled for political purposes, and that you hoped
to accomplish these purposes by reViTing the
animosities and hatreds engendered by the war.
You further say that those remarks OF AIr. Gree
ley and his entire lack OF courtesy toward the
soldiers and sailors serve to confirm you in the
in any position where loyalty to his Gov
ernment just regard to the feelings Of
others, and an abnegation Of self is required.
You then proceed to inform US, in conclusion,
that it only remains for yon to urge us to or
ganize in harmony with the regular Republican
organizations, and do all in our power to 1e-elect
General Grant.
The first thought that occurred to my mind on
reading this address VAS, sWhat was there in
General Bu1nside's military career TINT jrstiies
Q1n ID LGluQE k0e 0uuQIet18 OF tuOu9Huua VI SOL
diers who served during the war what they
DID, Did anything occur at the drs.
Bull Run, at Roanoke Island, at fredericksburg,
in East Tennessee or at the mine explosion 1n
front Of Petersburg, which entities him to as
and order us to the front to fight in behalf Of
political party?
Ny SECOND thought was: "Is It creditable to
the aoldiera Of the late WAT, that one Of their
l. IT, il
representative, to spresd broadcast over the
land document charging Horace Gree
Icy with tlisloyalty ?" The truth Of the
saying that "the pen is mishtier than the
sword" is coming year BY year to be moro gen,
o ha
that be is q candidate for reelection, there are
probably some men in the country who doubt
its truth. II, however, We were to add to the
saying the proviso that the pen should be
III doubteFs would disappear: You
and I, General, know full we'll that. while We
we're in the field fighting for tho Union, Mr.
Greeley was welding in behalf Of the
same cauBe weapon far more powerful
hat long % sftes @ va had sbesthed our swords sword he be-
kept up the fight, and continued it until every
object Was accomplished for which even the
most ardent Abolitionist had ever prayed He
lid not cease the fight until the Union Was
and all their ciril and political |
lights sole1nnly guaranteed to them by amend |
nents, to the Constitution. And yet, General, |
Iou have the hardihood OF charging this man |
yith disloyalty, and are uttering this foolish |
harge in your assumed capacity as the repra-
entative Of nll the Union soldiers OF the land.
You say he has been guilty Of lack of court
BY toward us. In my judgment, any man who
light years after the close Of . bloody civil war
I'LL ask soldiers to assemble in convention with
view OF controlling their action in politica!
'atters ir demsgoGue unworthy OF courtesy
t the heuds Of Mr, Greeley or aHF ether per-
on When at the close OF the war re mid down
ur arms We became citizenH and We hare no
2terests to-day except those we have in COM
ION With other citizens. Why, then, ahould
ny one ask Us, in our character 8s sol |
iers, to assemble in political bo<ueBa Why
aould you extend to US such an invitation. IN
1873 it is vith the hope that from your former
onneotlon With us in the army you may be able
} influence our judgments upon .matters OF
1biic policy in time Of peace? Do you not
II the purpose of perfeoting our ELECTIONS hare |
scoMe slightly nauReating to the puh1io2 Did |
ever occur to you that, as . rule, the officers
ost active in work Of this nature were most
unsuccessful in the field?
Permit me. in conclusion, to sav that do not
eieTa that IN your action at Pittsburgh or in ,
e sentiments Of the addreBs to which have
luded, you are in any senee OF the word rep-
sentative Of the real soldiers OF the army. On
e contrary, feel that very many OF them unite
th me IN the hopa that this political campaign, !
commander, may prove to you and to tha
pops OF your command another Ffedericks-
Eg. Very truly yours, e. ", sLocuM.
6RcoHLyJ, Oct, t, 1879.