Thomas Bruce 12thNew York Cavalry He
wants rebels to have to "drag out a life of torture and starvation should they
be lucky enough to be taken prisoner. He attacks treatment of union prisoners by
Confederates. Attacks anyone who would
vote for George Pendleton and Horatio Seymour.
Goes on to discuss Copperheads and different aspects of the war.
In
Camp, Jan. 5/65
Friend
Chase,
Yours
of the 8th Dec lies before me, it has been quite a long time coming for the
reason when I went to Virginia I left word for all letters that come to me to
be forwarded to Norfolk & yours was among the number sent & it did not
get there in time for me to receive it. So I left word with the landlord
of the National Hotel if any letters come for me to send them to New
Berne. So you see it had quite a ride.
I
have nothing to write, but I always feel it my duty to reply to all
correspondence promptly. I thus make the attempt. Frank, I feel a
good deal as you do in regards to the Rebels of our United States, to think one
has to drag out a life of torture and starvation should they be unlucky enough
to be taken prisoner is heart rendering indeed. Out of the seventy two who
were taken prisoner from my old Company at Plymouth, only about twenty five or
six are living & they but just stay [alive.] They do not live, only
exist.
How
any man at the North can look on, and see such treatment as our Soldiers get in
the Rebel Prisons and then vote for such men as George Pendelton, Horatio
Seymore & others, it is more than I see through, and too bitter a pill for
me to swallow. [Pendelton and Seymore were anti-Lincoln 'Copperheads'
Democrats and favored ending the war with a treaty w/the Confederacy.] I do not
believe in talking politics with pen & ink in a friendly letter, but I
never had such feelings in regards to politics before in my life. But [it]
is high time for every man to let himself be known, so we can know how he
stands. "Our Union must & shall be preserved". I could
not give it up yet if General Butler did make a failure at Wilmington [N.C. prisoner
exchanges] which I suppose all the Copperheads exult over. We must still
continue & try it again. I hope that the 300,000 Vol's. that
Uncle Abe has called for will be forthcoming & I wish it had been for twice
that number.
We
must press this Rebellion now, we have it started & not falter for an
instant with the confidence in the Administration that everyone ought to have
& with vigor & determination on the part of the Government. We
will show them Rebs a trick with such a hole in it, that they will all fall
into & never get out. I am sorry you have let old Hillsdale remain so
quiet that you feel as though it was going back in to the country. I think
I might enjoy a few days there very pleasantly just now, but you need not look
for me as I probably will not be home again until my term of service expires,
unless something happens to bring me there to gratify a pleasure whim.
Hope
you had a good time attending decorations & etc, I trust you did. I
know I would try if I were there. Well, Frank, I guess I have tried
your patience & will close. Give my regards to all enquiring friends
& love to Mary. Write soon.
Thomas
Thomas
T. Bruce
June [actually January] 1865