Year: 1864

HG W An old friend, who has TWO son


in the army, received the following lette


from one Of them, and handed it to u


TOR publication:


.n~ de LITTLE Rock, ARKANSAS.
March 81, 1864.


Nv Dear Father-I have been con


templating writing to you for severa


DAYS, but have been unable to find leis


ure moment for that purpose. We arr


now enlisted as veterans, and are busy


making out the necessary papers, pre-


paratory to being furloughed, and once
} more visiting America. The troops here


all seem to rejoice in the prospect of 9


speedy termination Of this wicked rebel


lion, and feel encouraged at the assist
/ ance we are receiving from our friends a,
home, in their efforts to crush out the
vile copperheads In this department
the troops are large majority Of them
from Southern Illinois, and doubt not


but two thirds Of them have been rocked
in the cradle of Democracy, brought up
under all the blinded prejudices Of 'Be-
nighted Egypt" yet experience has made
sad havoc with their political views, until
they now class the name Of Democracy
as synonymous with copperheadism and
traitor while the great bug bear of "abo-
litionist," seems to imply Unionism and
a love for our great, glorious, and free
Government Many, who at the begin
ing OF this rebellion would have shrunk
at the idea Of cnlisting in a Regiment
where even colored cooks were employ
ed, are now thronging headquarters with
their applications for positions in negro
regiments. Such are the changes Of
war. We have seen the ''Divine Institu-
tion," until it is virtually played out"
and will not do to croak about by one
horse stump speakers in after years. As
you have already learned, Arkansas, by
a vote is again back in the Union. Yet
fear and tremble Mt her future. While
firmly believe a majority Of her voters
are Union men at heart. yet men Of influ
cnce and wealth are gradually taking
hold ofth political reins Of G Government,
and receiving favor at the hands Of high
officials TO the exclusion Of those true
Union men who have more than suffered
for their loyalty. Men who were first
and foremost in bringing about this re
bellion, having been compelled to take
the oath Of allegiance, are now through
pecuniary motives, skulking about the
various Headquarters, timidly asking for
various permits Of speculation, and ad-
vocating conservative policy If there is
anything have contempt for next to
copperheadism it is conservatism. 1t is
only copperheadism in varioloid State.
Father, hope you will use your united
influence in speaking through the ballot
box to the powers at Washington, and
ask them for Gods sake to forever wipe
out these conservatives, for they are al
ready polluting the air Of Arkansas with
the foul breath Of the copperhead's and
causing serious doubts in the minds OF
the poor and ignorant yet truely loyal
citizens, as to whether our Government
is just or not.


see the Union men of Indiana have
nominated Gen. Nathan Kimble, for
Lieut.. Governor, feel proud of it. AS
his acquaintance is but slight in Wayne
Co. and Eastern Indiana, let me tell you
truely, that you never voted for a more
brave, patriotic and loyal man. AL
though am but slightly acquainted with
him personally, yet we have been under
his command for the past year, and from
his actions have felt convinced that he
is man who is a Union man, a loyal
man and is fighting from pure love of his
Government, his country and his flag. /
So, Father, you may tell every Union
voter Of Wayne County that NAT. Kim
BALI is as loyal as any General in the |
army. Since Gen. Steele has left on his
expedition to Red River, Gen. Kimball
has been in entire command Of the troops
at this post, and is by actions not only
convincing the army of his Union senti-
ments, but the pretended loyal conserva-
tives are being convinced to their sorrow.
Cotton SPECTATORS and conservatives are
NO longer supreme, but the welfare Of
the soldiers and the cause is once more
receiving attention. 1t is such acts as
these, Father, that ask you to speak in
praise of NAT" and by so doing you
are lending encouragement to Union
soldiers in the field. Iexpect to be home
soon and can then tell you Of many things
that dare not write you.


On Friday last witnessed the execu-
ton Of two Guerillas in front Of our
camp BY hanging. They were convicted
Of assisting in hanging several men in
the vicinity Of Hot Springs, for Union
sentiments. Their names were Estes
and Miller, both middle aged men, and
men Of families, but bore the marks of
villainy and depravity in their every
feature. One drew of his butternut coat
with dare devil composure and took
enid Nf fohacca from, his -