1             Bucks County Intelligencer,  From the 104th Regiment.  August 12, 1862  Page 2  Col. 6             1

 

From the 104th Regiment.

HARRISON’S LANDING, VA., August 1st, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—During the present war every im-

portant event that has resulted in our favor has been

characterized with activity and energy on the part of the

people.  It was by an immediate response to the presi-

dent’s first call for troops, that the Capital of our nation

was saved from being despoiled by a rebel horde, and

that the design of Jeff Davis & Co., making Pennsylva-

nia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois the battle field, was frus-

trated.  At the present juncture the people are too

lenient; they appear to be ignorant of the real danger

that is threatening us.  If they desire this war to be

brought to a speedy termination, there must be an imme-

diate rush to arms.  The ranks of almost every regiment

has been decimated by battle and thined by sickness,

they should be filled immediately by new men.  The ex-

igencies of the service demand it.  Let these regiments

be filled, and we will have an efficient army.  By placing

these men in the ranks with the well drilled and tried

soldier, they will learn the play in a short time, and be

able to take the field.  No man should volunteer in any

company or regiment until those in the field are filled to

the full number allowed by law.  Our regiment, the

104th, has lost many men by battle and otherwise.  It is

desired that it should be filled immediately ; here is a

capital chance for the young men of Bucks county to dis-

tinguish themselves—no regiment in the service bears a

higher reputation for gallantry upon the field of battle

and  for its superb discipline.  Young men of Bucks

county, it is not my feebly conducted pen that is calling

you to duty, but it is our much loved Government !  Why

do you delay in this important matter?  You should em-

bark at once for the seal of war and join the 104th.  The

men of our regiment claim a right to demand your aid—

they are waiting daily for your assistance.  Your lives

are no more precious than ours—your attachment for the

comforts and pleasures of home are no stronger.  Your

loved ones are not dearer, and the esteem for your parents

is not held in higher regard.  You claim the same rights

of freedom that we do.  You desire the same protection

of the Government.  Why not battle for the same ex-

alted object?  There is no plausible excuse for you to

remain at home during this crisis, except you are a noted

coward.  Our people are liberal in furnishing money to

induce men to enlist.  Tell them to contribute their

means to aid the sick, wounded and families of those who

are in the army—that patriotism bought with money is

not worth throwing into a ditch.  Shame to one who

delays enlisting by expecting a higher bounty !  The army

that is now in the field, and has seen much hard service,

was raised through inducements that were offered by the

Government.  The men asked no extra bounty and it is

unfair that those who enlist now should receive extra

bounty.  Some men do not know their duties, and others

refuse to do theirs.  Buying men to perform a duty they

owe to themselves, to their country and their God, strikes

me as weak policy, and one that will ultimately fail.—

I repeat, let those free gifts of money be used in behalf

of the sick wounded and the families of those who are

in the army.  If the young men of our country and State

refuse to do their duty voluntarily, they should be drafted

at once.  The time for delay is past, we must have im-

mediate action, vigorous and united action.  The rebels

are more energetic in attempting to overthrow the Gov-

ernment than our people are to uphold it.  This will not

do.  While they are raising large armies by rigid con-

scription; our people are endeavoring to raise money as

bounty, and by so doing, induce men to delay enlist-

ing, for such actions will naturally induce men to delay,

expecting larger bounties.  This is a singular way to

save the Union.  The rebels laugh at our people’s folly ;

it is a disgrace that will be noticed by European nations,

and such an inconsistent and unpractical policy will do

much to induce foreign nations to think that we are

weak, while we profess to be strong.  The time will soon

come that the young men at home must shoulder arms and

march to the field of action.  Why not be a volunteer,

not a conscript ?  Our regiment should be filled from

Bucks county, and that before a single company or squad

is recruited for any new regiment.  Parents should en-

treat their sons to go.  Sisters should urge their brothers

to aid in defending our liberty.  The ladies of Bucks

county have done much for our new cause, but the work is not

finished, and more remains to be done.  You should ex-

tend to your lovers a polite invitation to join our regiment;

if they refuse; you should refuse their society until the

war is over.  An action of this kind on the part of the

ladies of Bucks county would soon fill the ranks of the

104th.  The ladies alone can fill our regiment, and we

expect them to do it.  I forever shall hold the lady in

abhorrence who places the smallest impediment in the way

of her lover’s joining us.  It is true, men get shot in

battle, but it as fair for one side as the other.  These

little objections must not enter the mind, but you must

consider the great duty you owe to your country.

L. H. M.