The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore
    

A Diary of American Events.–September 5, 1861

Sept. 5.–The Charleston Mercury of this day says: Under the Fabian policy, our army has remained stationary for the last six weeks, a prey to ennui and discomfort, discontent and disease, while the capitol at Washington could almost be seen from the generals’ tents. How long this policy of “masterly inactivity ” would have continued, God only knows. It was gravely announced in a Richmond paper, that they were intrepidly waiting for the enemy to come on again. The enemy, however, very wisely determined that, as they were left the range of the whole continent to attack, Bull Run was not the choicest place for their future operations. They accordingly make a descent on the coast of North Carolina. Perhaps our Government was astonished that they did not return to Bull Run; but seeing that such expectations were not in accordance with Yankee policy, they see the necessity of advancing on Washington. It is clear that our Yankee enemies, always pushing us into our best position, intend to force us into the alternative of a campaign in Maryland, or the devastation of our sea-coast. The Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, are to be defended in Maryland. It is there, by a firm and aggressive war, that the United States must, on our part, be forced to defend themselves.

–Two companies of Colonel Berdan’s sharpshooters took their departure from Weehawken, N. J., for the seat of war. They are the first of the regiment that have gone into actual service. The uniform of the regiment is peculiarly appropriate for their position as marksmen, consisting of green frock coats, gray pantaloon and green caps. The dress is made to accord with the colors of nature as much as possible and is intended to be worn in summer. In winter the uniform will consist entirely of gray pattern.–N. Y. World, Sept. 6.

–The Twentieth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William Raymond Lee, passed through New York on its way to the seat of war. The regimen left Readville, Mass., yesterday. It numbers seven hundred and fifty men, and has been mainly raised in Springfield and Wareham The men are strong, hardy, and intelligent looking. They are armed with Enfield rifles and are uniformed according to the army regulation. They have with them twenty-five baggage wagons, two hospital wagons, five ambulances, and one hundred and twenty horses A company of sharp-shooters from Massachusetts, Capt. Sanders, with one hundred men, joined the regiment at New York.

At the Park barracks the soldiers partook of an excellent dinner. The officers and many distinguished persons, including Governor Andrew, had a table set for them in the officers’ quarters. When tho dinner was over, Mr. Frank E. Howe spoke of the presence of Governor Andrew, the chief executive of a State which was offering so many of her sons to fight for the Union, and introduced Mr. David Dudley Field, who spoke of the duty of all good citizens in this conflict for the Union, and of the noble efforts of Massachusetts in sustaining the principles which she professed, by the treasure of her lands and the lives of her sons.

Governor Andrew was next introduced, and delivered a speech full of patriotism and enthusiasm for the cause of liberty and freedom.– (Doc. 30.)

–A correspondent of the Baltimore American writes :–I notice the fact that, within the limits of my acquaintance, the gentlemen who now belong to the “Peace ” party are the same who a few weeks since rejoiced in the expectation that Jeff. Davis was soon to appear in Baltimore, “to redeem Maryland from bondage.” Some of them have not yet abandoned the hope of his appearing here “one of these fine days.”

One who has at heart the peace and prosperity of Maryland, would like to hear from the organ of this “Peace ” party an answer to these questions:

1. Would not the success of that party in the coming elections, be everywhere hailed as a triumph of the secession party in Maryland?

2. Would not such a triumph he unquestionably regarded as n pressing invitation to Jeff. Davis to make the visit and attempt the “liberation” aforesaid?

And should Jeff. Davis accept the invitation:

3. What “Peace” relations would be established between Jeff. Davis’ liberators and the guns at Fort McHenry ?

Let these who are interested in the reviving prosperity of Baltimore answer these questions for themselves.

–Major Mordecai, late in command of the Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., published a card denying any complicity in furnishing the rebels with drawings of a machine for expanding rifle bullets, as charged. he acknowledged having allowed Abraham Snyder, the inventor of the machine, to have copies made, but showed by letter dated in January last that he communicated the fact to Col. Craig, of the Ordnance Department, saying that it was not too late to retract the permission if he thought necessary. –Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6.

–At Stralenburg, New Jersey, an organization of secessionists was broken up by the United States Marshal.–N. Y. Commercial, Sept. 6.

–The Memphis Avalanche of to-day contains the following estimate of the Northern peace party: “The peace party of the North is turning out to be an arrant humbug. It is mightily opposed to war, and intensely desirous of peace, and yet unites with Lincoln in his unconstitutional and infernal scheme of compelling the South by brute force to yield up the right of self-government, and submit to the rule of a vile abolitionist despotism, headed by such a creature as Abe Lincoln, and the banditti that surround him.

“They may hold their conventions, whine about peace, and pass their canting resolutions until doomsday, but will never effect a peace on their terms. They may lick the feet of the tyrant if it suits them, but the South will continue to fight him, and against the Government of which he is the dictator, and against the people whom he governs, until she gets rid of them forever.

“The Northern Democracy, after having furnished Lincoln the men to fight his battles, after having hurrahed for the Stars and Stripes as lustily as the black Republicans, and after having been soundly threshed by the South, which they thought to crush, and treated with contumely by the abolitionists, whose tools they made themselves, now begin again their cant about the Union, about compromises, about justice to the South, about making up these unhappy differences, and bring back the seceded States, under the mild and paternal Government of Abraham Lincoln!

“We would recommend to these Northern Democrats, who, belying all their former political doctrines and professions, were so ready to fly to arms to aid Lincoln in crushing the liberties of the Southern people, when they thought they could succeed, to go at some more promising business than Union-saving. If they are still determined that the seceded States shall return into their beloved Union, they had better keep on fighting, as it is their only chance.

“There are some Democrats at the North who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal, who have not been faithless to their principles, but they are few and far between. The mass of them made haste to lend themselves to the support of Lincoln’s iniquitous war, and now only oppose it because they see it is hopeless, and that they gained only insult and ruin by their unprincipled subserviency. If they would restore peace, let them advocate the unconditional cessation of this unrighteous war, and unconditional acknowledgment of the right of the Southern people to govern themselves. That is the only solution of the difficulty.”

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