The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-05-18

tnat part OI lnc army ''"iPi io'"S i"''
butts Fourth Division" called then, think
" The Army of West Tennessee" Later
II Is said ne was even then In disgrace ant
under arrest or, at least, ignored by Hal
leck, who was then recognized as In chic
command; while the latter, and the othel
manipulators of the state Of affairs, ap
peared to have principally in view amusing
that part of the army and the country a
large the most plausibly they could, while
the mesh was being untangled and re
woven 20 suit them. Unfortunately, MIR
Lincoln, then uneducated In military sci
ence, nor fully comprehending the com
plications existing, left much to be deter
mined by his "expert" generals,-too ex
pert, some of them, for him, or the vel
fare of our cause
Dilatory, dawdling and treacherous, as
was the carrying on OF this plan of " How
Not 70 Do It," this course furnished US,
who were involved In the mess, very much
smusement-the doctors, large opportunity
for profitable observation and study, as II
did diversion 10 the lockers on Of the coun.
try at large. Gave US, down there, a good
chance, that summer (lS62), for pleasant
excursions, with just enough excitement
and alarm to add wine and spice TO the
novel mixture of things, so mixed as they
were.
Whoever will take the trouble to care
fully examine work, entitled, "The His
tory of the Vicksburg Campaign, by
Sam. lockwood Observation-Disclosures
natl" will see some astonishing revels-
tions, and bursting of bubbles, showing,
with documentary proofs, how regulations
are made and unmade, and how entirely
Fictitious many of them are. Also how
falsifed is much of history claiming to be
true record.
The part we were forced to take, In the
course of the internal schemiDg, and
to suffer the wasting we did so need
lessly, as sought heretofore to set
out kept us literally, changing around"
Grand Junction and La Grange the
greater part of the summer CG2), as If
permanent post; while the following
fall and winter witnessed course of
equally disheartening futility, in essaying
the chimerical scheme of the Great Com
mander, to flank Vicksburg by Grenada.
To be deplored, that actual history may
not be Faithfully written; that facts can
not be correctly and faithfully recorded
laid where it actually be-
longs, and honor bestowed where honor is
due, instead of upon those who are but
efllgies and pretenders who continue, with
silent cunning, TO usurp the credit and
good reputation due wholly to others, as
we'll as in like manner TO gain false fame
and amass unlimited wealth. That man
Is conceded great hero, so incredibly
towering into the azure depths of genius
above all others, heretofore, now, or shall
be hereafter, not necessarily fixes that as
fact. Fairly, so that truth be conserved,
de m0rtuis nil niSi b0nun,. Same time, JUS
tice demands that we be not unmindful of
what is due to others, upon whom disgrace
would be reflected by our silence.
1t Is time to return from these wide ex.
3ursions into regions so remote and antici- |
patory, among traitors and so many of their
prototypes, the disgusting, Shiny, crawling
2reatures, which make the skin horripi-
ate to think Of" and attend to our pro.
posed business.
1t was but day or two after rejoining
he regiment, as related some weeks ago,
md getting a little over the rush made |
Upon Inc by the afflicted and disabled |
,3ds, when marching orders arrived We
marched boldly into the sweet rural retreat
If Grand Junction, in the height of Glove
Y, flowery June!' 1t would have puzzled |
he best educated, largely. experienced
general satisfactorily to have explained
what we were there for, or what strategy
was being practiced or what ultimate
purpose was to be accomplished The
most | knew, In those crowded days, was,
hat the morning sick call was thronged,-
lumbers daily augmenting,-a although |
he day was continually interrupted with
lew cases while at work on interminable |
eport3, so often and repeatedly respect
ully returned for Correction" see spe-
,lal orders-so and so"--as tediously here |
Ofore related. Have also stated why no |
elief could be had for this overwhelming |
abor by details of assistants from the |
'anks, regiment Culled over, at the very
lrst, for clerks at the superior headquar,
ters; and regimental officers could not
make details outside their own commands. |
iy steward, then Mr.. Summers, was
equally occupied as myself with the dis.
and management of the sick
only fair again to remark, concerning our
ImprimiS: When gem
raj management of great army is treach.
rously or ignorantly conducted, confusion
n details must be expected And while
'ur volunteers, In the main, comprised