The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-02
The Wants Of onr Yolnnteera. &e.


when assert that the best and only reliable treat
mcnt for when he doffs the garb and customs Of
a citizen and assumes that Of warrior, Is to 60 in it
fully and cheerfuly-take it rough and tumble-bue-
kle on the knapsack and havcIsack-a good blanket,
two shirts, two pair Of pants, and good brogans-be
sure not to oyerburhen yourself with too much cloth
ing for if you do it will fatigue you too much and on
long march Or in battle you will be sure to throw
them away. Cast aside all thoughts of pound cake and
preserves-accustom yourself at once to that whole
some food pork and beans and good raw onion when
you get it. Coffee, in camp, is mere humbug
and its should be discontinued for gives more
trouble than it does good Soldiers cannot always ride
on rail dine at hotes-sueh indulgences only
retard the progress of becoming soldier 1912, 13,
and IA the soldiers marched from North Carolina and
Virginia to Canada-rom Kentucky and Tennessee to
New Orleans, without baggage wagons, and without
murmur Have we become so effeminate that We
not do it again? We hope not. The Inteigencer re-
marks that the people of the south have been munif
cent in their liberaty to their volunteers Probably
national struggle for independence has ever witness
ed such liberal contributions by parishes Individuals
as the one in which we are now engaged. Single com
panes have left for the seat Of with their army
chests abundantly supplied with means to purchase
every necessary and deEcacy for both sick and well,
while friends and relatives have supplied the individual
members with sums far beyond their absolute wants.
! We can call to mind instances within personal
knowledge in which these contributions have amount
ed to thousands That these made with the most
kind consideration for the comfort of volunteers
is without question: but they were made at first upon
4 ~,
that this struggle would be short and sharp one, call
ing for powerful and concerted effort, the result of
which would be the recognition of independence
and the restoration of peace Many gave one company
or few individuals, all they able to give at
ALL Those who last spring could give their hundreds,
cannot now give their tens. The credit of parishes
well of individuals has been strained almost to
breaking to meet the demands upon Them and now,
when the Confederate government needs all the assist
which citizens render it, the question is
how to raise the means to equip their soldiers.
This extravagant munifcence has been productive
of much injury to the service we'll of great par
TALLY to those who first left for the seat of war The
wants of the soldiers comparatively few-we may
say, restricted to the necessities of camp life. When
these wants properly supplied, the less money the
soldier has at his contre the better soldier lie is
likely make. The temptations Of the camp are very
great and increase with the increase Of the means Of
unrestrained expenditure. When free from the re-
straints of camp discipline, the thus possessed
are squandered in useless and vicious ways impairing
the value of the soldier and fastening upon him for
life vicious habits which always attend the "tented
field" The soldiers pay will furnish him with what
pocket change he may need His rations, arms cloth
ing ETC., furnished by the government or, if sup
piled by himself, he is paid committed price. But
the time has passed when this extravaganza expenditure
can be longer made. The money is in the country
and if it were would not be available to the same
tent because the pressure of the contest is beginning
to be seriously felt and every feels that something
Of his ability must be reserved for future occasion
The wants of the soldier imperative and most
noby the people responding to appeals to supply
them. Warm uniforms, abundant under-cothing suit
able to enable volunteers to resist the rgors of
northern winter being manufactured BY the com
bined patriotic labora Of ladies' as individuals and
societies specially organised for thepurpose The ma
terias purchased by money contributed; and the
clothing after being made is forwarded to the secreta
r. of for the use Of the companies designated
No returns made to the governor Of the number
kind, and quality Of articles thus manufactured at
ment, is providing for precisely tie same necessities
The consequences of this want Of concert between
these volunteer aid societies in different parts Of the
State and the authorities of the State government will
be- that many articles of necessary clothing will be
abundant while others equally necessary will be I'M
supplied The benefits of this labor love in which our
ladies, old and young, engaged, will be considera
bly, diminished by not knowing what is most needed,
and by duplicating many articles. The supplies thus
furnished should be sent to volunteers through the gov
ernor or if sent directly to those for whom they are
intended complete lists should be returned to him. that
he may to be furnished what they have not area
dy sent.
Again. the Confederate government allows a COM |
mutation of S2l for uniform when furnished by the
volunteer himself and probably reasonable price for
all articles of clothing which the service requires
This constitutes part of the pay of the soldier If the
patriotism Of our ladies has furnished this clothing it
still goes to the credit Of the company to which it is
sent, and the captain draw upon the army chest
for the amount If this could be returned to the soc
cites by which sent least the extent Of the
value Of the materials they would always possess the
means after the original outlay, without additional loss
to themselves others, to purchase materials on
which to employ their industry.
In this the ladies of the south would be the
fair artisans of the clothing and uniformng Of our sol
diers. Millions would be saved the government both
State and Confederate, and they would have the salts
faction of having united their efforts with those of their
husbands brothers and sons for the achievement of
the independence of their country If the suggestions
here made properly represent as we believe they do
the practice of the Confederate government in rela
ton to payment for clothing furnished let the various
ladies' volunteer aid societies see that such steps are
taken in this matter shall render their patriotic la
bors most widespread and effective
The Richmond Enquirer says if there is any service
under the government that demands reformation it is
that Of the postofce depa tment. The public inter
ests require it. One of the vital and important
branches of the government it has strangely retroga
ded into an imbecile and extravagant monopoly We
read from all parts of the south complaints of its i'm
beciity and change reformation in this service of the
government is no less than dine To the naona r. boe