Year: 1864

CAMP 20TH MAINE Vols,


RAPPAHANNocK STAN, VA, Feb. 20 ca.
TO the Editor Of the Press


1t is becoming very much Tie fashion for
soldiers to ventiiate the experience acquired
during the last three eventful years, through
the columns of their favorite papers.


Perhaps you may find room in your valua-
BILE paper for word nov and then from a
member Of the "Twentieth"-a regiment by
the way which will compare fayofably with
any the old State has put into the field.


Soldiers like TO read the papers, aud now
while comfortably settled in winter quarters.
we get fair variety and leisure to read. And
allow me to say, while we generally approve
of what we hnd IN the Union papers, We do
not swallow all the statements as to the con-
duct and progress OF the war.


Much OF our leisure time is spent in dis
cussing what we read, in the light Of our own
experience and observation. And let me
assure my oyer-anxious friends at the North
that the soldiers are pot deceived By the fine
stories OF encouragement and destitufion la
the rebel army.


We fully comprehend the task before us
but we do fear these stories may have a bad
effect on the people of the North: that feeling
too confident Of an early peace, their efforts
may be relaxed, and when an evil day comes
for come it will, and perhaps many, they may
be ready 10 take up the lament Of the foolish
virgins when it is too late.


Whatever destitution there may be in tie
South the rebels will bear with stole fortltiI de
and be ready and watchful to alleviate by
taking advantage OF any remissness on our
part.


The leaders at the South have unlimited
sway, aud what is lacking in a sound currency
and enthusiasm among the people. will be
made up by rigid military impressment and
discipline.


1t has been stated that the men thus forcibly
conscripted, will not fight. This Is a mistake.
Forcible conscription Is not new leatufe at
the South, and thus far we have not found
the rebels backward ia the fight. The flct IS
man once IN the army cannot choose whether
he will fight or not. The very circumstances
of bis position force him 10 fight


1t Is the hardships of the service, the relrc-
tant rebel breads, not any compunctlons about
shooting yankees aud when brought face 10
face with the enemy be will fight as nercely
as the most willing.


Much has been said about the great number
Of deserters from the rebel army Now |
venture TO say that the number Of rebel deser-
ters Is not greater than our own.


l saw II stated officially, that over fifty
thousand had deserted from cur army since
the beginning OF the war. One regiment has
lost full, over an hundred out Of about three
hundred recruits. The rebels are not desert
ing as fast as represented. Now and then a
small squad comes into our lines and Il makes
a great deal Of talk. The over jealous aud
unthinking, eagerly accept these little walls as
sure indications OF manning fortunes Of the
Conlcderacy.


Now while it Is always well to encburage il is
never right or polite to deeiege. The rebels are
only so far straitened as 10 make them desper-
ate. They have yet to be conquered bF hard
fighting, They viii be yigilanI, to take adj
vantage OF any remissness on our part. And
it Is by no means impossible that the war
may yet be prolonged indefinitely, by our own
indifference or neglect.


have no wish or need TO attempt TO slim
ulate the people OF the North 10 greater eff
fort or enthusiasm. But | cannot overlook
the feeling among the soldiers, that their
friends at home are deceiving themselves with
hopes of an easy and speedy peace. THIS cloak
Of false security, il Rugged too closely, may be-
come a winding sheet. A few serious reyegs.
es In the spring, and with the present over
confidence, the reaction would be terrible.


We are still liable to all the uncertainties OF
war. Reverses may come. Let US prepare our
minds for them, and they will be robbed Of
half their evil. Let us be ready for every con-
tingency, that we may steadily and surely
progress toward an abiding peace,


Yours for the war.


G. NJ. 3.