Benchmarks

carefully reference to our political troubles and attending to his own business. On yesterday to his surprise and to the surprise of all his neighbors, he received an order from Gen. Lewis Merrill requiring him to leave the State within fifteen days and take up his residence somewhere in the extreme States.

Mr. Fisher is an old man, has the respect of those who know him, and is a devoted and useful minister. He will leave a feeble wife and young daughters behind him comparatively helpless. I should not suffer my sympathies for him or any other if guilty to interfere with his punishment.

But I Think here is a grievous wrong to be inflicted upon gray hairs undeserving it, and that too in the name of the Constitution

and country that we love and venerate. I know that Military Law is harsh and unfeeling. Yet I do not impute in any degree the wisdom or good intentions of those in power. There is a mistake somewhere, and it may be that contraband testimony may be concerned. I do not know. I merely state the simple facts as a man of truth.

My judgement and my heart are deeply grieved to see wrong done to a lone individual which while it crushes him may result in evil to that very cause proposed to be benefited by this action. Is there no help in the matter? To whom may an humble individual look for aid. I feel that the Joseph Holt whom I with others loved and