Albert Potter Civil War letters vol 6 Copyright © 1998 by Michael Ruddy. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Henry Albert Potter writes his sister Amelia about the siege of Atlanta and basically repeats the previous letter to his Father. He is a little more boastful of his promotion to his sister. Left Flank of the grand armee August 5th 1864 Dear Sister Your late letters have all been rec’d. I believe your last was dated July 25th the day before you stated for Milo and found me just returned from a raid down on the Augusta RR to Covington. Since we crossed the river we have had hard work and I trust have been of good service to the cause. Last Monday night we were dismounted leaving our horses four miles in the rear and marched out to the rifle pits where we have been since. We are guarding the extreme left flank. Our line runs at nearly angles with the main one there are no rebels in our front. Our skirmishers have seen nothing but scouts. While I am writing the great battle and siege of Atlanta is going on. Cannon and small arms have been crashing away all day at the rebel stronghold. Our boys in the treetops around can see all the city the forts and batteries. I was in an observatory on a large house near our lines yesterday where I could see the City, its spires and domes. Encircled by its defenses and forts also. Kenesaw Mt. In the distance and Stone Mt. to the left. Which is the most singular formations I ever saw being in truth what its name says – all stone. With hardly a green thing upon it. Sherman can take Atlanta when he chooses. The main part of the Army is on the right and rear of the City. Fighting for possession of the Macon RR, the only means of escape which the rebel have whether successful or not I cannot say. [He is talking of Stoneman’s Raid] And now for something to surprise you, your boy brother is a Captain!! in the US Army. He was promoted today which was an entirely unexpected honor to him. He is assigned to Co. "H" which will suit him exactly, if I know anything about it. He has jumped some half dozen Lieuts. whose commissions were older than his. Well, I will only say one word for him: I believe he always tried to do his duty and I know one thing he has always stood on his own bottom and is not dependent upon any one for what he has got. It is growing so dark I cannot see. I will write to John Timinns[?], hope you had good luck in your journey. Love to all the folks, grandmother in particular, one kiss for her. Write me often. I’ll write more fully to John, your brother Albert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Henry Albert Potter in the trenches around Atlanta writes his father and talks of his promotion to Captain of Co H 4th Michigan Cavalry. On the left flank, in earthworks Friday Aug 5th 1864 Dear Father The battle is raging on the right of us while I am writing. The intention I believe is to take Atlanta today. It is about 3 pm. Our Cav Division has been in the rifle pits since Monday. Our horses are four miles in our rear. I wrote a letter to you on Monday but it has not been sent. I have been in good health since you heard from me last. I rec’d a letter from Amelia the day before she was to start for Milo and also on from John A and John Gilbert. Poor George nothing has affected me so much since I entered the service as the news of his death. It seems so sudden and premature and I loved him. His family must feel it so hard too. I sincerely sympathize with them all. We have been doing hard work since we crossed the Chattahoochee. Raiding nearly all the time. Our division has done goo service to the cause and with very little loss. Our Army, the heavy part of it, is engaged on the right and rear of Atlanta. Do not know whether we have been succeeded in gaining the RR or not. Stoneman is reported to have cut the road below Macon and to be making for Anderson and Americus to release the Federal prisoners, but we have nothing official. We are confident of our ability to take Atlanta whenever we are ready to do so. And now I will tell you something pleasing to you as well as gratifying to my hmble self. I was promoted this a.m. to Captaincy in my own company. Carter[Julius M Carter, Ovid, Mich] is transferred to "M" Co. and I take his place. It was an entirely novel thing to me and unexpected as there are three 1st Lieutenants who had commissions older than mine. I fill the vacancy made by Capt Mann’s[Joshua W Mann, Owosso, Mich] resignation. I could not have suited myself (If I had my choice) any better. I prefer "H" Co to any other and I think the men are all well pleased and I have two as good officers as there is in the regiment for my Lieutenants. In every promotion I have had I have jumped from three to half a dozen officers who ranked me and I have never been jumped. I do not tell you this in a bragging spirit, but merely to give you an idea of my standing in the regiment. I have no more responsibility now than I had before, for I have been commanding Company and responsible for Property some time. It only puts one more bar on my shoulder and changes my title. Do not let all read this some might think I am vain – but you will know I am not. Our guns are thundering away. I will write you soon, affectionately Albert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Fragment of letter probably written August 5th 1864] Our boys are up in the tree tops looking at the battle. They can see Atlanta plainly. I was upon an Observatory over a large house yesterday. Could see all of the city. Kenesaw and Stone Mt.. Can see the rebel Batteries and forts. The boys just say they see the rebels carrying off their wounded men from our shells. Our batteries are playing hot. I have not been out of the sound of cannon every day for a month and over. We do not notice it. The skirmishers have kept up a continual rattle night and day since we have been here. There are no rebels in front of us at all. Our skirmishers have not fired a shot. We are on the extreme flank. Our line runs nearly at right angles with the main one. The plot below will give you a faint idea. [In the letter there is a sketch of the front lines, the RRs, and Stone Mountain. He shows the 4th Michigan as being perpendicular to the tangent of the investment half-circle and about 1/3 the way to Decatur on the extreme left flank of the Union Army encirclement of the North-East of Atlanta --at about 2 o'clock -mr] of our position. We are in the left. The news has just come in that Stoneman and his command are captured. It may or may not be true. There is somewhat of a lull now in the firing. I shall come home as soon as the campaign is over Love to all ["Capt" was written then scratched out] Potter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am sending this again as I did not see it in my Civil War receipts. If it is a duplicate forgive me... Mike Ruddy Henry Albert Potter writes to his father after the rather useless Kilpatrick raid around Atlanta. The raid helped General Sherman decide Cavalry "would not or could not" serve to cut off the supplies which were being received daily in Atlanta from the south on the Macon and Montgomery RR lines. Sherman then began his sidewise march around the city. The perspective in the letter is narrow but it gives a view of one of the participants. Mike Head Quarters "H" Camp near Atlanta Ga. Aug. 24/64 Dear Father; Since writing we have been in another ‘raid’ and it has been the hardest one, we ever were on. The expedition was commanded by Gen. Kilpatrick, the 1st and 2nd Brigades of the 2nd Cav Division(note 1) were along -- Marched all night the 17th and reported to Kilpatrick in the morning -- laid in camp all day the 18th and rested. At 8 PM moved out, it was a beautiful night the moon at its full -- and a clear sky. At daylight we struck the Montgomery RR below Atlanta and commenced tearing up track, but as the column was not closed up as it should have been, a brigade of rebels cut us in two for a short time. They opened up on us with artillery and shelled us rather too close for comfort. We had to cross over where the bullets were flying thick and fast. We charged over it without any loss and formed up at a church to protect the Ambulances. The rebels had got possession of the road which we wanted and the 3rd battalion was ordered to advance in line and retake it -- which we did in good style but I lost my 1st sergeant Cole he was shot through the lungs, is alive yet, but I have no hope of his recovery. The other Co’s had several wounded and horses shot. From there we moved on across to the Macon RR towards Jonesboro, where drove out about 400 rebels and burnt the depot and took up the track for a mile -- had orders to stay there until 11PM about that time were attacked by a division of rebel cavalry. They charged our lines twice but were unsuccessful both times. After the first charge our regiment was ordered out as a support for our line and everything again was quiet. You must know we were all very tired -- when you march all night in your saddle without any sleep -- you would be tired wouldn’t you? Well we were resting, I was asleep on a lot of ‘shake’ spread over two logs when they charged again. it was like a thunderbolt I jumped and you ought to have seen the shake fly as did everyone else to our horses -- but our line stood like a rock unyielding and now to show his contempt for the rebs, Kilpatrick brought out his band out to the line and they played Yankee Doodle, Hail Columbia and a number of others for the johnnies -- no doubt to their supreme disgust -- it was as much as to say come and take us if you can, but you can’t -- they thought the had us tight but they were mistaken, for we dived out of a hole before they knew it and were gone to the east and soon as they found it out they followed us. Overtook us about 10 AM next day. Here the general, who by the way is about a match for any body I ever seen in coolness and impudence, left colonel Murray with his division to fight and hold them back while he made another drive for the RR about ten miles below to Fayetteville -- our Brigade in advance -- we struck and charged their pickets killing some and drove them back -- when the 4th was ordered in the night to make a big show as possible and tear up a few rails while the attack was to be made by the 7th Penn and 4th Regulars. They advanced and charged the enemy’s line but were repulsed with loss and our boys were obliged to fall back hastily. We had struck two divisions of infantry, which had been sent there to take us-- you see we had struck a snag -- the 7th Penn lost about 40 and the Regulars 36 in that fight -- they charged dismounted. Well they drove us back so we had to leave one piece of Artillery in the ground but not so far but that our skirmishers covered it with their fire and with some loss we got it back. A number volunteered to retake it and they rushed down and pulled it off with their hands. Well shortly we begun to hear firing in our rear. It increased and soon we found we had their cavalry in our rear and Infantry in front -- in fact we were surrounded. They were forming to play Stoneman(note 2) on us ‘Yanks’ too -- but Kilpatrick held a consultation with his officers and a decision was agreed at which we soon found out we were to charge! through their cavalry and cut our way out -- and here I must say -- there was no time to be lost either -- for their infantry were moving up and extending their line and every minute made the matter worse. Col. Minty volunteered to charge with his Brigade. The offer was accepted. We formed in column of regiments facing to the rear -- the 7th Penn on the Right, the 4th Mich in the center and the 4th Regs on the left. We held a hill yet in our rear which hid our movements from the enemy. The 2nd Brigade was to support us then was to come the command, Artillery, and Ambulances etc. with Pack mules and all. While we stood there waiting the order a man in the Regulars was shot dead by a bullet. He stood about 6 feet from me and although it misses even shot there by random shots, there is a certain feeling which I cannot tell you of -- when a man stands waiting the wind which perhaps will send him to Eternity in an instant. You never will know or feel it until you are there yourself (and I hope you will never be) there is a sort of instinctive bracing of the nerves and an air of sternness in a brave man’s looks which soon tells you his calibre. There is the place to detect a coward --I pity them -- they dodge at every sound and sight they see like a turkey looking for bugs. It is laughable as well as sober. Presently you hear the command Draw Saber! and then the command Charge! -- and away we went. As we raised that hill a shower of shot greeted us -- but with a yell enough to wake the dead -- we spurred on to their line. Their artillery belching forth grape and canister into our line. The regulars were directly in front of the battery and suffered badly. Capt. McCormick and Lt. Sullivan and a file of men in their van were mowed down by one shot. The ground grew rough and stony. On we pressed -- keeping up that deafening yell -- our Sabers flashing in the sun a thousand rays of light -- and as we got within 30 rods of their works they threw their arms down and run -- but on we go dashing over their works. The work commences -- they surrender by dozens -- but many of them were cut down without mercy. for my part I could not strike them after they had given up and but very few did hit them in our regiment -- but the Regulars slashing right and left and many a poor devil’s brains lay scattered on the ground. From there it was nothing but a panic, their Battery we got , spiked the guns except the 12 LB Howitzer which we brought along. The rest after spiking we tumbled into a ditch. They had but one Inf. Brigade got in position in our rear but they were hurrying up and we were just in time -- as we got the order to charge , a flag of truce we seen coming from the Infantry for our surrender -- but we didn’t wait . Well we only picked up 100 of them the rest got away. We were getting away ourselves and didn’t stop to pick up much. The brigade we run over was Texans. We captured their battle flag. Well we marched nearly all that night -- camped about 3 AM the next evening. It rained nearly all night and we were wet as rats. Soon we came to a creek which was swollen so we had to swim across. Two of our men were drowned there and some negroes. I came very near losing a man there. He was on a mule which floundered and kept him under some time but he at last got out all right -- were out five days and nights and went entirely around the whole rebel Army going out on the right and coming in on the left. In all that time I got about nine hours sleep as I calculated We received orders to be ready to move out again and the rumor is current through the camp that the rebels are evacuating Atlanta -- at least I believe our whole .......(?).. either they are running or Sherman is going for them with a vengeance I received my commission as Captain yesterday. I’ll be mustered tomorrow to date from the 23rd -- You must consider the matter well this fall before you cast your vote for Uncle Abe -- I must admit that things look different than they did six months ago -- to me. I will write you my ideas and thoughts about matters and things before long -- I must close -- Write soon -- I have recd but one letter in two weeks nearly Love to all, affectionately Albert -- I am commanding the 3rd Battalion and probably will be for a month or so. Major Mix was wounded and the Battalion commander take.......(lost at edge of page).... NOTES: 1)The 'Kilpatrick raid', led by General Judson Kilpatrick (affectionately called "Kill-Cavalry" by his men), consisted of 4700 cavalry and 8 pieces of artillery with support. The 2nd Division was 2300 men with 4 pieces of artillery and the 3rd Division were 2400 with 4 pieces of artillery. The objective was to destroy the rail lines leading into Atlanta. They ran into Both Confederate infantry and Pat Claiborne's cavalry (Sul Ross's Texans, I think) sent out by CSA General Hood, who learned of the expedition almost before it began. The expedition was lucky in that the CSA infantry got lost on the way to engage Kilpatrick. 2)Stoneman refers to an earlier raid where the Confederates captured a Union cavalry expedition. Minty’s Cavalry by Vale page 526 (published 1886) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter writes a jovial letter, somewhat disjointed. He is no longer at the front and is looking forward to coming home, which he "accidentally" lets everyone at home know. Hd Qtrs Co "H" 4th Mich Cavalry Roswell Ga. Sunday Sept 25 1864 Dear Sister I wish you could be here today a little while just to see how comfortably I am situated. Here I sit on a sofa-bottomed chair by a nice little table in just a little the neatest quarters of any other man on the plantation. This is my sitting room – this part which has a floor separated by mosquito bars from the kitchen. There my man Thomas sits, sleeves rolled up, scraping sweet potatoes as big as his arm and about long, for dinner. Which I know will soon be ready, for I can detect that savory odor, from that direction which says as plain as wants, "fresh pig!" Which departed this life violently yesterday P.M. at the hands of a "Yankee hireling" and Thomas makes good biscuits too for we have lots of soda and thanks to Mrs. Grimes, a very respected war widow, who has three lovely daughters (their name is Grimes) and plenty of buttermilk which Thomas got in consideration of a handful of coffee (Yankee coffee too) Jeff Davis’ coffee is made of Rye commonly called "Rio") and a little salt, which the widow informed him she had not had a spudgeon of, or not enough to season a "dodger" with, since the Jew-rabs (pooh thing! She meant Zouaves) had gone army. Who took with them all her cups and saucers and her poor little pigs, all on a pole together. But no joking the widow is a great help to us, we get all the milk and butter of her that we want – but -- gone back to the sitting room -- You see I have here on the table the adjutant General’s report of Mich 1863, Byron’s Poetical works, The Holy Bible, "Mosseide(?)" by Marion Harland and a Map of Georgia and lots of little things. There’s your likeness and mother’s and father’s too. Everybody says, "Why is that your father?, he looks as young as you do? and your mother too. Well I declare! You look like brothers and sisters." and we are too, aint we? And here is Lieutenant Pierce’s[Silas K Pierce, Grand Rapids, Mich) photo which I will send you. He used to be my Q.M. Sergt, is now adj on his brother’s staff, Gen Pierce[Byron Pierce] Army of the Potomac. And another too, a young lady, Miss Alice Smith of Detroit. She is married now. I believe – which I got not matter how. Then there is my compass, and a bottle of "Patchouley" and ‘Cocoa Cream’ which Uncle Em was kind enough to send me with lots of other things which came safe – see! I have one of the shirts on now. It fits firstrate. I have another one like it in my valise. And the beauty of both of them is they have such long tails, so cosy and nice. These miserable army Sutter’s shirts which cost $14 per pc and are no better than jackets! There you needn’t blush. I don’t care. I do like long shirts now for they are just like mother’s (the ones she used to make for me) Well I do believe I’ve made the story worse. I’ll stop short and not tell any more tales. We have preaching at one p.m. at Hd Qtrs – there! Assembly is sounding now and dinner is about ready too. How provoking that is, well I shall have dinner first, for you know I am always hungry as a bear on Sundays. Well I eat dinner and got out in time to hear the text which was "prepare to meet thy God." The old elder is a good man and thinks Slavery the root of all evil. I wish I could send you some of these nice large praties we have. I’ll fetch a mess up with me when I --- there I’ve let the cat out of the bag – I expect to come home when my three years is served. I must close up. Give my love to all at Milo. I rec’d a letter from Frank Davis yesterday. Yours Affectionately Albert ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter retells the story of the horse he lost and sums up his political views with a vote for Uncle Abe. Sherman ignored Hood and marched off toward South Carolina, leaving Hood to be watched over by the "Rock of Chickamauga," General Thomas, back in Nashville. Near Little River Ala Ten miles below Gayleville Oct 26th 1864 Dear Father I wrote a line from Rome on Sunday. I got back all safe and sound and joined the command last night. The Division excepting our brigade is out about 10 miles to the front. I am not posted as to Hood’s whereabouts but believe he will come up somewhere in Tennessee. That is the opinion of the most who do not know with certainty. The rebels are acting very desperate. I believe Sherman wishes him (Hood) to go to Tenn. if he will. Hood’s attempt to compel Sherman to evacuate Atlanta so far is a failure and is likely to so indefinite time. And the hopes which influence the rebel leaders to act so desperately in order to bear unfavorably on the reelection of Mr Lincoln will be destined to disappointment and defeat. When I wrote you upon my political ideas, I gave you my objections to the policy of Mr Lincoln’s Administration and also told you I could not vote for Gen McClellan. Altho’ I do not agree with Lincoln in those things and know they can never be carried out. Yet when called upon to choose between him and McClellan I will vote for Lincoln. I dare not risk Mac upon such a platform and I think a change would be injurious to us and encourage the rebels and it might be taken in the eyes of foreign powers as a backing down. And this might possibly lead to a recognition of the South. And if so and attempt to raise the Blockade. You will not get this probably until after the 4th Nov. I shall vote for Lincoln and four more years of war with the rebels rather than McClellan and the recognition of the South by England and France and consequently a war with these powers. Our Regiment is very small. We have not many over 100 men with us I have been comd’g batt. Since the Kilpatrick raid. There is a prospect of us being sent to remount before long. I hope we will by all means we have rec’d no pay yet. I did have two good horses as there was in the regiment until our fight at Rome. We charged three times one day with Sabres. I led the last charge and it was there my best horse was killed. We charged up a hill 12 of us upon about 30 rebels. My horse was a large sorrel with a star in the forehead. With a splendid curb neck and roughed mane. And was a conspicuous mark. He was shot square in the head, one inch above the star. He was on the jump when hit. His head was high and it saved me. He fell and never struggled once. Poor Old Tom! I went over the ground Monday. The only wonder was that we were not all killed. They fired two vollies before they broke. But too high. Love to All Affectionately Henry A Potter Write often all of you ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter writes about the emancipation proclamation and why he disagrees with "Mr Lincoln" having issued it. He gives a good idea of why Lincoln will get elected in spite of most of the country (Henry Albert's Opinion of course) being against what he did. It also tends to back up James McPherson's assertion that the soldiers knew what they were fighting for ( What They Fought For) and makes my argument that the soldiers were led into battle not exactly knowing why seem weaker. And it does make for interesting reading to compare to the last few days of discussion on our list. The letter ends abruptly and I may not have all the pages.......... remember most of Henry's Letters are posted on the CW List webpage under the 4th Michigan Cavalry link. I will follow up this letter with the next two letters as in the Oct 26th letter he indicates he has made up his mind on how to vote. Mike Headquarters Co ‘H’ Camp near Marietta, Ga Sept 29th, 1864 My dear Father Your letter was rec’d last night and found me well. I did not think when I wrote last, that I would be giving consolation to any one opposed to the Union, the Constitution and the putting down of this wicked rebellion. You want me to write you my views and sentiments – it is rather a hard matter at the present time to get correct views perhaps when everything and everybody are so ‘stirred up’ as it were, from the very bottom. But I will try and tell you about how I feel on the matter and at the same time tell you that our Army here, as far as I know, believe as I do. We came down here to fight for the preservation of the Union, to put down the Rebellion which had broken out to destroy it. So long as the war was carried on vigorously for that we were satisfied. Anything that will strengthen our army, any means by which we are made strong morally, I believe it is right to take in order to end the war quickly. Any means by which the Rebels are weakened, either in numbers, or in moral strength, I believe it to be right and proper that these means be used. In making a division among themselves in sentiment or in feeling, I believe we would be justified in order that such a division might divide and break their force and thus demoralize and unfit them to hold out against us. At the time Mr. Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation, I thought it really was a military necessity, that is, I thought it would take a portion of their strength from them and give a corresponding proportion to us. But as time has passed on and events transpired very contrary to what I expected, I am forced to the conclusion that it was the commencement of a policy which has proved very injurious to our cause and instead of the strength we anticipated has been nearly the cause of our failure. I do not mean failure as regards the army, for that has been successful, gloriously so. But I mean a failure as reqards our future friendly relations as a united nation in years to come. At the time the Proclamation was issued the North was a unit practically every man was for whipping the rebels. Giving them a real constitutional whipping. While on their side the South was not well united at all, their was a feeling there of friendship for the old government as they called it and a desire my many to get back into the Union without further bloodshed, for they had started with the delusion that they could go peaceably and without war. I am not speaking of the Southern Leaders but of the common people and I know it is the truth. But when the proclamation came it acted as a clincher to the fire-eater’s cry. Lincoln is fighting to free the slaves and that he had thrown the constitution aside and was going to subjugate and burn etc. The South which had been wavering was instantly united again for then they could really fight for their rights. They knew as well as we do today that Mr. Lincoln had no right constitutionally to issue such a Proclamation and they did not recognize his military necessity to do so. In the North, which had, until now, been as a unit, the cry of unconstitutionality was raised and that with other things. And with the policy necessary to back up such an act gave birth to the Copperheads as they are called at first. But now as the war has still continued without succeeding in putting down the Rebellion (which fattened from that day) has grown into what is called the Peace Party and from which I believe there is more danger to be apprehended than from the rebel army – to the country I mean. And the Proclamation did not strengthen our army one jot. Every slave that has been freed by the army has gained his liberty by and thro’ the army. And no negro not freed by the army has been freed at all. As far as the army goes into the Confederacy: the slaves are used for Army purposes and have their freedom which is as it should be. As far as making soldiers of them I have no objection to make if we are disposed to enlist negroes as soldiers. I think we have a right to do so, and, of course, to give them our protection as such in every particular. I do not accuse Mr. Lincoln of uniting the South or of dividing the North. I believe he acted conscientiously and really thought he was doing as the necessities of the case demanded. But I am entirely convinced it was a sad mistake and led to those very evils, while at the same time it did not help our army at all. We must not forget that in this war we are fighting as it were a part against the whole. That is the Government is fighting for the preservation of the whole country or Union and its whole interests both North and South alike. While the South is fighting against the Government [h]as also its best interests in that Union. Because we are strong and have the power we must not take any of those rights from her which in the event of our being successful we would have to give her again at the close of the struggle! To be sure she has rebelled and thus forfeited all rights but we, as the wise parent, ought not to take advantage of our erring son and thus eternally embitter him towards us by taking a pledge from him which we guaranteed to him in his infancy. Slavery is recognized in the Constitution and altho’ I believe Slavery to be wrong as much as ever both morally and politically, yet as long as our laws recognize it we must submit. So you can see that as long as the original policy was pursued to restore the Union everything went well but when "the change" came then and there commenced our trouble, which has increased ever since, until there is a counter-revolution threatened, which if it should take place( and which is now the rebel’s last hope ) I am afraid would entirely destroy us as a country and make our condition no better than poor distracted Mexico. I do not believe Mr. Lincoln’s policy as regards Slavery can ever be carried. He will have to give it up sooner or later. Why is it necessary for him to include as an extra condition in the terms of coming back into the Union the "Abandonment of Slavery[?]" Are you or would you be willing to fight them after they had signified that they would come back either with or without Slavery? I am not willing to fight one moment for Slavery. Whenever they are ready to come back then I say stop fighting for Gods sake! And let reason once more be heard on both sides. Of What avail will it be to us, what benefits will be derived from Union, if we are obliged to keep an Army of 200,000 in the South to guard it and keep it under. And there is just where we are tending at present allowing us to be successful in the end with Mr. Lincoln’s policy. And no revolution at the North – These are my views as near as I can tell them to you. Of my predictions as to the future, I may be mistaken, but up to the present time, I believe all our political troubles have sprung from Mr. Lincoln’s "Change of Policy!" It does not seem that he would continue the war for the sake of Slavery, but he say he has decided that he is right – or in the meaning of the effect. When I wrote to you that I would consider well before I could vote for Uncle Abe, it was before I had heard of the proceedings of the Chicago Convention. I was in hopes that they would bring out a thorough and strong Union Platform. But I was mistaken. It is a pitiful attempt to malign the administration while at the same time it says nothing against the rebellion and insults our brave army. The whole thing in my opinion only goes to prove what I have been trying to do, that is the copperheads are increasing so fast that they now have control of the Democratic Party already and all tho’ the bad Policy of the said "Uncle Abe" when he started he carried the whole country with him, Republicans, Democrats, and all. Why? Because he stood upon the broad ground of the Union and the Constitution. But when he hauled up Slavery on the one side of the Platform, the Constitution slipped off on the other side. That is rather a strong picture but it conveys my meaning. None of us can go the Chicago Platform, very few at least. And at the same time very few of us like Mr. Lincoln’s Platform as reqards the Eternal Negro. You say your principles are the same as ever, you will see that min have not changed for the worse. I guess we would agree pretty well now. I am for the Country and nothing but the Country. And there is where the Army stands. We would be glad to shake hands with our Southern brethren once more. There is no ill feeling between us Personally. But few among us but what feel that if situated just as they were, we should have been in their place. I think Mr. Lincoln will be elected. I shall not and can not vote with the traitorous Peace Party for, McClellan! And I do not know as I can vote for Mr. Lincoln – have not fully made up my mind. dz