Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-06-10

early life in the army, his part In the
Mexican war, and the dull routine OF
soldiers life up to 1858, General Long
street said:
THE NORTH's SYMPATHY FOR THE SOUTH.
"In 1858 l was appointed major and
paymaster and served at Fort Leaven-
worth until the fall of 1859, when was
ordered to Albuquerque, n. M, and re-
NAMED there until the war between the
States.
"The violent political and sectional
controversy which disturbed the States
was watched with intense anxiety by
officers OF the army, who naturally felt
the deepest interest in the result. whist
there were, doubtless, many officers,
especially those whose tastes had LED
them to read much of the political his
tory of the government, who believed
in the right OF the State, as last resort.
for the redress OF grievances, 10 secede,
there were probably none in the sum-
mer and autumn Of 1860 who were
known as secesSioniSts, and there were
MANY who went with the seeding
States who did not belive that there was
sufficient cause for violent action, nor
was there, perhaps, more than dozen,
if so many, officers in the army who
were abolitionists. All felt more or less
sympathy with their respective sections.
All were in sympathy with the South.
The officers OF Northern birth general
ly believed that the people OF tue South
had just cause for complaint against
encroachment in respect to tecir slave
property, guaranteed by the supreme
law Of the land. And this feeling pre-
vailed until the Southern batteries were
opened on their flag at Sumter.
During the winter OF 1860 and 1861
we on the frontier were in the most
painful suspense. Our mails came in
at long intervals and so irregularly
that we were often without informa
tion Of the progress Of events weeks at
a time. We often assembled on the
top of the quartermaster's Office, the
most elevated perch at the post, and
watched hours together for the column
of dust which at that season rose as the
mail coach rolled over the arid roads,
which could be seen miles away. Every
mail brought the same dark, trouble
some signs, yet the feeling was hope
full, aud the remark often made:
The man for the occasion will yet
show himself aud all will be we'll
SOUTHERN FRIENDS URGE Hin To RE-
SIGN.
1.-THE time passed, the anxiety In
creased, and most Of my time was passed
ia restless and anxious thought 1t
seemed a terrible fate that those OF US
who had long served, formed strong ties
Of friendship and periled our lives in
fostering care for the Nation, should be
called upon to sever the ties OF friend
ship, professional pride, and lifetime
aspirations, abandon 1t through
quarrels at the will OF ambitious
sectional politicians. At the same
time the feeling was that we
belonged to the States that had given
Us position In the profession. Impend-
Ing war became the absorbing topic IN
our families, as wei as amongst all
classes Of our acquaintancss. num-
: r Of officers, Northerners, knowing
that was about to offer my resignation,
came and tried to persuade me TO retain
my commission In the Union Army.
Captain Alfred Gibbs, Of the Rifles, did
most OF the talking on the occasion.
After long talk l asked Gibbs what
be would do If his State should leave
the Union and call him home.
Would be hold his commission
In the army and draw his sword
against his own State? He confessed
that he would return to Ms State. MY
time at home was passed in anxious
walk about my quarters br Office. On
one occasion my vile. Who had taken
the same Impressions as our politicians
that there could be no war, in one OF
our talf repeated, as was her custom,
There II be 40 war This had been
so oftei speated that Il annoyed me,
ana led In sorrow:
~ stl se riding up to