"We must be brief when Traitors brave the Field."
NEW YORK:
Carleton, Publisher, 413 Broadway.
M DCCC LXIV.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by
GEO. W. CARLETON,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for theSouthern District of New York.
R. CRAIGHEAD,
Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper
Carton Building,
81, 83, and 85 Centre Street.
"Greek-fire has shivered the statue of John C. Calhoun in the streets ofthe City of Charleston,"—so the papers say. Whether true or not, theGreek-fire of the righteous indignation of a loyal people is fastshattering the offspring of his infamous teachings,—the armed treasonof the South, and its more cowardly ally the insidious treachery thatlurks under doubtful cover in the loyal States. In thunder tones do themasses declare, that now and for ever, they repudiate the Treason anddespise the Traitor. Nobly are the hands of our Honest Presidentsustained in prosecuting this most righteous war.
In a day like this, the least that can be expected of any citizenis—duty. We are all co-partners in our beneficent government. We shouldbe co-laborers for her defence. Jealous of the interests of her bravesoldiery; for they are our own. Proud of their noble deeds; theyconstitute our National Heritage.
If these campaign sketches, gathered in actual service during 1862-3,and grouped during the spare hours of convalescence from a camp fever,correct one of the least of the abuses in our military machinery—ifthey lighten the toil of the humblest of our soldiers, or nerve anew theresolves of loyalty tempted to despair, the writer will have no reasonto complain of labor lost. Great latitude of excuse for the existence ofabuses must be allowed, when we consider the suddenness with which ourvolunteers sprang into ranks at the outset of the Rebellion. Now thatthe warfare is a system, there is less reason for their continuance.Reformers must, however, remember, that to keep our citizen-soldieryeffective, they must not make too much of the citizen and too little ofthe soldier. Abuses must be corrected under the laws; but to becorrected at all they must first be exposed.
Drunkenness, half-heartedness, and senseless routine, have done much tocripple the patriotic efforts of our people. The patriotism of the manwho at this day doubts the policy of their open reproof can well bequestioned. West Point has, in too many instances, nursed imbecility andtreason; but in our honest contempt for the small men of whom, in commonwith other institutions, she has had her share,—we must not ignorethose bright pages of our history adorned with the skill and heroism ofher nobler sons. McClellanism did not follow its chief from Warrenton;or Burnside's earnestness, Hooker's dash, and Meade's soldierly stand atGettysburg, backed as they were by the heroic fighting of the Army ofthe Potomac, would have had, as they deserved, more decisive results.
The Young Men of the Land would the writer address in the followingpages—"because they are strong," and in their strength is the nation'shope. In certain prospect of victory over the greatest enemy we have yethad as a nation—the present infamous rebellion—we can well awaitpatiently the correction of minor evils.