Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-04
AltBmol0 Enquirer.
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE i, 1861.
The Duty which the Soldier owes TO his
BY TYLER, WISE & ALLEGRE.

The Duty which the Soldier owes TO his
Country.
The enemy is upon the soil of Virginia, and
thousands of troops are aocking from nearly
every State to maintain the honor Of our flag
In view Of the troubles and trials of the sol.
dier, but recently citizen and unused to the
strict Subordination which must necessarily
exist i'll all successful armies, We shall say a
few words.
When we turn to our past wars, the mind
pauscs to admire the noble deeds, either Of
daring courage, patriotic ardor, or entire self.
denial These virtues are always typical Of
tho true soldier. Frequently, in those wars,
the commiSsary stores have been exhausted
and, in the depth Sc winter, the soldiers of the
Revolution have suffered for want Of clothing,
of shoes, and of food. Arms, too, were def.
cent On the other hand, our army beheld
the British regulars we'll supplied with every
thing that could contribute to their efficiency
on the battlefield, or their comfort in quarters.
The contyas. was III unequal and painful one.
Often our soldiers either did not receive their
pay, or, when they did, the fluids were worth.
less.
AgaiH, 10 the war Of 1872. IL. the outset, we
were badly equipped, both Oh land aud sea-
We had an Insignificant navy, md AL army
neagrcly furnished with weapons. At the
battle Of New Orleans, large body OF Ten
nesseans were without any arms. On all oc-
casions Of this kind there We're murmurs.-
Sometimes they we're loud, and Threatening
tunult; but still there were others, the large
body Of the army, who, true to the instincts oi
patriotism, forbore complaint. These men re-
ceived the plaudtS OF their tcllow-citizens
when they were honorably discharged from the
service. And Row, at this late day, it is only
the memories Of those patriots, who passed
thus unsca,hed through the fiery ordeal itself,
that are remembered. The rest are forgotten,
OF if recalled it is only TO pass once more
judgment against them. They have left to their
posterity no bright spot for the regard Of man
kind
This is an impressive lesson, and must not be
forgotten We refer to it not because of q want
Of confidence in the patriotism Of any part o
our army; but that we may curb the ignoble
desire which would seek the qualification oiour
own ends regardless of the necessities Of our
country We well recolect how an officer in
highposition, at the opening Of the Mexican
war, abandoned his post from motives Of pique
or disappointment and set out for his home; how
the storm of battle broke forth in his absence,
and how, although desiring to return back
again, the whole country resounded with the
whitening censures Of the people. In moments
like this, when the aag OF our country is at
stake, they only who in storm and sunshine
uphold it, can expect to receive the need Of pa,
tciotism-
The duty OF the soldier is 10 adapt himself to
the emergencies CT the day, and the commands
of his superior officer. In the organization
Of our aruly, We have had but few months
preparation. We have had no machinery, nc
factories, no means for military supplies We
have had to begin by borrowing money, and tc
equip all tho Departments Of the Government
Fortunately. ours is reading people, and the
necessities Of the Confederacy are known and
appreciated by all our citzsns-by our noble
women as we'll as men, from the Potomac t.
the Rio Grands The latter have delivered
publc addresses at the heads Of our comPa
nies, in every section Of the lsnd; they have
presented banners to tie preserved sacredly
from violation by the enemy; they have fur
nished, with their owa hands, the clothing OF the
soldier, and many sister and mother nave
kissed the cheek Of brother or son at part
ine. and in their henrts have felt that they couio
see them die in their country's cause rather
than suffer disgraceful defeat from any 90
sence OF soldierly conduct on their part. There
cannot be at the disposal of the Confederate
Government at this time, every particular
arm of defence. The volunteer must accept
sny arm which may be placed in his hands
and 10 with it the best execution ne can. ]
he gets pike, instead Of gun, bayonet IN
stead Of rife or even shot gun, let him un
compainingiy receive it, and take his place II
the position assigned him. At the proper time
the Confederate Government will place the
desired arm at his service, or perhaps
better still, he may win 1t from ths
emcny on the battle field. Never lei
murmur Of complaint 60 back to our homes
to chill the fond hopes of our family anc
friends. The confidence il the ability and
in the patriotism Of President Davis to carry
ont this war successfully pervsdes the whole
land, and no soldier will ever be able to satisfy
his people of the merit of refusing to comply
with his demands. /: is fortunate for the
Confederacy. that such feeling exists, and SC
wide spread is it that thousands more than hls
reouisition on every State are no" ready &c
enter the battlefield Our young sister Texas
is cbaenc the bit to be called into service on
the battle field Of Virginia. All the States o.
the Confederacy are ready to carry out any De
mand President Davis may make upon them
ss far as in their power, either for nen or 'o'
the sinews of war. We have abundant testl
mony of this fact, ard let it never be forgotten
by our soldiers. in the troubles that may oesc'
,hs,n, or the exposures to which they may o'
subject, we nre fighting a foe which aims q
our subjuga,ion. The last man would PERISH
before such q contest could be successful
This is the sentiment which animates our whole
people, and never let it be forgotten by the sol
dier in the performance Of duty.
4 Contrast.
In nothing is the difference between th'
North ard the South more marked than IN to'
conduct of the heads Of the churches, in eacl
i,c, 60 far from following the irJunctlon'