Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-08-13
war That Wa. Not So Atroclous.
AMERICANS IN THE CIVIL WAR WERE
tE REALLY HUMAN.

i War In the mildest form is q horribl
thing, and We can hardly expect to loo
for anything peaceful or humane In u
but the letter given below, which va
written in 1858 to the late Henry +
Morton, by his brother Randall, gives
little touch of peaceful warfare that I
very refreshing to read, when we hea
the cruel and brutal acts that are cor
stantly taking place 10 the present wal
When We read Of the Germans murder
ing helpless men, women and children Il
all the forms of brutal vioiousness tha
can be imagined; we are glad that th
boasted German "Kultur" is unknown
to Americans.
| UNITED STATES FORD,
MAY 30th, 1858.
Dear Brother:
Since wrote you last we have movet
camp twice, once about four miles ant
again about twelve. We are now guard
ing the q. S. Ford. I like the situation
here very much, we are about q hal
mile from the river.
presume you read about the Rel
batteries shelling our hospital here dur
ing the battle. Well, our camp Is In th,
same spot. Our pickets occupy one sidt
OF the river and the Rebs theirs. W.
came on this ground yesterday morning
and when It grew dark, we were march
ed down to the bank with spades, axel
and picks, and before morning had such
intrenchments thrown up as to enable nj
to defend ourselves against any reason
able force.
have just come from the bank, where
/ went to see what I could see.
The pickets are very peaceable, they are
lying about on the banks watching each
other, but doing nothing else.
They seem to have sort OF tacit
understanding of what is etiquette and
each side is careful not to alarm the
other, by collecting in groups or to show
any hostile demonstration toward In.
dividuals.
Our colonel had orders to ascertain the
depth of the ford, and as none Of the
pickets cared about trying it, Sergeant
Walker and I thought we would.
There was no danger at all, az they
would not think of firing on two men in
bathing, but for additional safety two
guards stood with their guns ready to
cover US. SWAN about two-thirds OF
the river, which brought me within
three or four rods of the Rebs. As
rose from the water they told me to
"Come on and see them" / thought at
first of doing so, but hardly dared to
without the colonel's permission. They
asked me a number of questions, about
where the regiment was, where our re-
serve lay, and 90 on, which of course I
was not green enough to answer.
asked them some questions, but they
were almost as careful as I, only when I
asked them about their rations they said
mighty poor''. observed that it was
capital place to bathe, and one of them
said ~ reckon 1t is right good
chance"
There were three men and q lieutenant
at that spot and I would not have been
afraid to have gone over there with them
If ] had had permission.
: 1t would not have been policy for them
to disturb the peace for only one man,
and moreover 1t would have been con-
trary to the established rules of picket
politeness, after inviting me over.
invited one of them to meet me In the
water, but he did not accept.
Ny health Is excellent. discovered
the key to promotion the other day, and
perhaps you would like to know what
it is.
I had so good an opinion OF myself as
to wonder why had been neglected so
long, when 80 many sergeants had been
made lieutenants, but no commissions
have been given away, they have been
bought. The average price Of the
lieutensnt's commission is about 500.
ought to have written something for
Mr.. Pidgin, but the fact is We have been
so quiet for long time that 1t is hard to
find anything to write about.
Our present situation seems to prom
Use something little more interesting,
and II I can will send something oc-
casionally.
We are 80 near the Rebs that no bugle
or drum is heard In the camp.
Write as often as you can.
Yours Affeotionately,