1863 Newspaper Article, Mercer County Dispatch, on the Sentiment of Roundheads and other Patriots of the Union toward the Northern Copperheads


Thanks to Carl Clink, for contributing this article to the 100th Pennsylvania Website!


Mercer County Dispatch

Mercer, Friday, March 27, 1863

Vol. 6, Number 12

 

A Voice from the Army-The Roundheads on Copperheads

Camp of the 100th Regt., P.V.

Newport News, March 14th, 1863

     The 100th Regiment, Penn'a Volunteers, being constituted at dress parade as a meeting for the transaction of business, Lieutenant Colonel Dawson commanding was elected President, and Captain J.H. Cline, of Co. F, Secretary of the meeting. The following resolutions, previously prepared, were reported by a Committee consisting of Captain S. Bently, Chaplain R. A. Browne, Captain J.P. Blair, Private Horace H. Durant, Company A, Surgeon W.C. Shurlock, Lieutenant J. Justice, and Private Wm. Taylor, Company G.-

     The resolutions were first unanimously adopted, and afterwards by acclamation. They are herewith submitted to the public as the sentiment of the regiment on the questions involved:--

     WHEREAS, A vast civil war is now convulsing our country, involving the dearest interests of man, and imperiling our fortunes and lives, a war for which we have cheerfully yielded up all the endearments of our homes; and whereas, on the results of the present momentous struggle depend not only our liberties and future greatness as a nation, but also the triumph of Freedom and Equal Rights throughout the world, and the elevation of our race in the scale of being; and whereas, the conflict has called forth every element, both North and South, hostile to a republican form of government, a wily and desperate foe in front, and mean, cowardly abettors of treason in the rear; therefore,

     1st. Resolved, That notwithstanding evil influences have been brought to bear upon the army by political partisans to advance their own base designs, and give aid to the traitors of the South; also, that newspapers containing treasonable articles, denunciatory of the government and constituted authorities of the nation, and magnifying the reverses of our arms, have been circulated in the army for the purpose of discouraging us to such a degree that it was hoped we would submit to dishonorable peace, yet we spurn with contempt any proposition of Northern Copperheads for compromise, which is not only regarded with merited scorn by the enemy themselves, as coming from such an ignoble source, but declared by them to be utterly impossible. We want no peace until the emblem of the nation shall again waive over every village and hamlet of the rebellious states.

     2nd. Resolved, That these men, by their posture of _______(illegible), an armed resistance of rebellion, and their predictions that the rebellion could never be subdued, as well as their subsequent acts assisting to verify their prediction-by their lack of sympathy with the successes, and their ill-disguised satisfaction over the reverses of our Union armies; by their denunciations of what they designate as tyrannical and arbitrary acts of the Administration, and their silence regarding the despotism of our foes in arms and the rebel leaders; by their sympathy with rebels taken prisoners in acts of treason and rebellion, and their utter indifference to atrocious wrongs perpetrated on true citizens of the Union in the Southern States; by their declared hatred of loyal sections, and willingness to sacrifice them as the price of a reunion with the States in rebellion; by their discouragements of enlistments and threats of opposition to drafts and conscription-glaringly betray that propositions of peace and compromise from them are acts of sympathy with the rebellion, and hostility to the Government engaged in maintaining a war for its own existence; that by their public acts and resolutions they give aid and comfort to the enemy, and dishearten our army, by a show of division and distraction in the loyal states; in short, they are an integral part of the rebellion, by the law of nation's traitors, and as such should suffer the traitor's doom.

     3d. Resolved, That there is no other means now at our disposal for suppressing the rebellion and restoring peace, than an active and determined prosecution of the war, until every vestige of treason and its accursed cause shall be affected forever.

     4th. Resolved, That we are willing to incur danger and undergo toil now as ever and that any assertions of a treasonable press to the contrary are lying, shameless slanders upon the whole army, and upon the veteran 9th Army Corps and the 100th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in particular.

     5th. Resolved, That we do give, and we believe it to be the duty of all loyal citizens and soldiers, to give a hearty approval to the several acts of the Administration to overthrow the rebellion; and as threats of opposition to the late conscription act are now made, as we are informed, by traitors and rebels at home, we wish it understood that we heartily approve that act, and call upon the government strictly and impartially to enforce it, and, if need be, to use the army now in the field to make men who have heretofore enjoyed in their homes , to bear their equal share in our toils and perils.

     6th. Resolved, That we regard with pleasure the means now being used by our loyal friends to oppose traitors and treason at home. We would urge upon them the most vigilant efforts, and, if need be, the most decisive and summary measures to that effect consistent with law. To these loyal men we would say, our hearts are with you in the noble work, and your example in turn shall cheer your sons and brothers far away in the tented field. To sympathizers with rebellion we would solemnly utter the warning that persistence in their course can scarcely fail, among its first results, to bring to their own doors, with all its horrors, the civil war which as yet, happily, has only ravaged our southern borders.

     7th. Resolved, That Andrew G. Curtin deserves the heartfelt thanks of all Pennsylvania soldiers, to whom, in an eminent degree, both in active service and in the hospital, he has been a friend and benefactor. To his untiring energy and patriotism the whole country is indebted, and his name cannot fail to be immortal on the page of our national history.

     8th. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the loyal papers at home, with a request for their publication.

          M. M. Dawson, President

          J.H. Cline, Secretary

Back to History Page