Foreign mercenaries.
It is now well known that the mass of the fighting men of the Federalists consists of foreigners, mostly Germans, some of whom have been but a short time in this country.
One of the wounded men at
Bethel stated to a German in our army that he had been but a month in this country.
He could not speak a word of
English.
All the prisoners taken in the late affair near Newport News are Germans, and determined and truculent looking-fellows.
Upon a late interview with a distinguished officer in our service, their spokesman expressed himself very freely and impudently; and the rest, if they were able to speak our tongue, were in too sullen a mood to employ it. From all quarters we hear of the preponderance of the German element in the invading army and the best fighting done on their side will be done by these men. The
Yankees are very glad to have such substitutes, and will not be very sorry if they never return, more demoralized than before by camp life, to become a source of torment and dread to those who have endowed them with their powers of mischief.
The foreign element in the armies of the enemy is one which we ought not to under rate and against which we must exert all our vigilance and energy.
At the same time, whilst they are dangerous enough to warn us from an excess of confidence, men who are fighting upon their own soil and in defense of their native land are more than a match for mercenary invaders.
The
Germans, though a brave and constant people in defence of their own land, are not the most military of the
European nations, as has been often demonstrated by the victorious legions of
France.
Strange that they who have often fought so bravely though unsuccessfully against invasion, should become invaders; that they who have so promptly dallied under every revolutionary flag that has been spread to the breeze in
Europe, should as readily become the chief military instruments of a despotic power; that they who have found in this country a refuge from tyranny should seek to deprive the
Southern States of their rights and liberties, States which —
Virginia at their head,--rolled back the tide of proscription against foreigners that was sweeping triumphantly over the whole North!
These remarks of course do not apply to the German population of the
Southern States, who, in
South Carolina and in some portions of our own Commonwealth, are among the most conspicuous and gallant champions of the
Southern cause.
What a contrast does the
Northern reliance upon foreign assistance present to the independent, self reliant attitude of the
South!
The
North, beasting that she numbered three to one, looks anxiously to
England,
France, &c., to give her aid and comfort against the
South, and instead of fighting her own battles, makes up her rank and file principally of foreigners, while her own population are but sparsely represented.
Yet, if she could conquer the
South, she would claim it as a triumphant demonstration of the superior prowess of the
Northern over the
Southern people.
