A LETTER TO THE JOURNAL FROM GENERAL MITCHEL'S ADVANCE ON BOWLING GREEN, FEBRUARY 15, 1862
[Correspondence of the Louisville Journal]
FROM THE GREEN RIVER ADVANCE
MUNFORDSVILLE, Feb. 11, 1862
the division under Gen. Mitchell, which has been so long encamped at Bacon Creek, crossed Green River yesterday and is now encamped a short distance from Woodsonville. This may be an important movement and it may not be just in the proportion in which it may be said to indicate a forward movement, but we have long wished to have a strong foothold on the south bank of Green River, and we have got it at last.
We have heard many suggestions made in regard to replenishing the Treasury, and as we have some voice in the matter, we will give our advice gratis to his honor the Secretary of the Treasury. We would suggest that all bachelors over the age of forty have their property confiscated! What an immense fund this would create. We are sure that it would more than pay the expenses of the war. But it may be argued that it is not right to treat them so roughly. In opposition to this, we have the assurance that old bachelors hand like an incubus upon society and are of no earthly benefit to themselves or the rest of the world while they keep their money stowed away in their capacious chests, as if the country had no need of it. But if the honorable Secretary refuses to adopt this suggestion, then we would say let a good tenth part of all their lands, goods, chattels, &c., be taken as the basis of a fund for supporting the widows and orphans caused by this war. By all means tax the bachelors. Nobody will pity them, and if they do, "why off with their heads; so much for bachelors."
While in conversation with an old farmer, a few days since, the dialogue turned upon the present unhappy state of the country. After some few general propositions, he said that he knew this war was coming more than fifteen years ago. "How did you know it?" I asked. "Why," said he, "you see about fifteen years ago all the bees in this country took a notion to swarm and go to Nashville; they staid there but a short time when they swarmed again and scattered out over the country, and ever since that time there has been peace among the bees." "But my friend what has that to do with this war?" we asked. He continued, "I told my friends that the bee had a gift of foresight, and that something strange was going to happen. They laughed at my prophecy, but I told them to wait and they would see; and sure enough here we have a great rebellion, and I tell you that after the troops all congregate at Nashville, they will swarm against and go off to their homes, when there will be peace in the country and not before." In conclusion, he asked if we didn't believe him. We told him, yes, for really we hope that such may be the case.
Gen. McCook has a pretty good idea of discipline, and we hear of some good things from him occasionally; as an instance, witness this, his latest: A soldier, who had imbibed rather too much of the spiritual, was suddenly taken with an ardent desire to see the General. Away he started, and arrived at headquarters in due time, laboring under a high state of mental excitement, when he forced his way past the sentinels into the General's room. "I want to see Mr. McCook," exclaimed he, and, turning to the General, he asked if he knew where Mr. McCook was. "No," said the General, "but I know where the guard tent is. Here, orderly, take this man to the guard," and accordingly the disappointed lad was sent to the Provost Guard, and may be seen almost any time making his regular tours around the magic ring with a good supply of oak timber upon his shoulders. What a moral man Gen. McCook must be! Yes, 'tis a pity that he's not afraid to do his duty, and doesn't display all the tenderness of a woman in his kind regards for the soldier; at least some would say so; but we say all hail to the man who dares do right under all circumstances, and we believe Gen. McCook to be that kind of a man.
There's not a word of news, or even a rumor worth noticing in circulation, through the camp, unless it is the report that the rebels are deserting Bowling Green and preparing to retreat into Tennessee. The great circle is daily becoming narrower and narrower, and the crushing weight of the three great victories in Kentucky is daily becoming more and more manifest. God speed the day when our country may once more be free from traitors, and when the sons of the South and North meet together as they did in past days, under one flag, one Constitution, and one Government.
OLD SOLDIER.
Louisville Journal, February 15, 1862