Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-09-12
Som. ding Practical for our soldier.

some thing PRACTICAL Tor our Soldiers.
We hear and read good deal from sundry people and
sundry journals in regard the and necessities Of
our troops, especially in the way Of shoes and winter
clothing, for winter will be upon at least the
period of occasional cool days and chilly nights.
In the more elevated regions of the State OF Virgin
ia some four to five degrees North of Wilmington, the
last roses of summer about blooming and the first
frost will not probably be deferred for than three
weeks.
Well these things 80, and the fact being admitted
there can arise practical benefit from dwelling farther
upon the topic unless for the purpose Of suggesting
some course of policy that may be adopted with some
hope of aordiDg prompt and easily available resource
We know of proposition which up to these re-
quiremens than that contained in the following
extract from the letter of an intelligent correspondent
writing over a month since from the camp of the Sd
Regiment, State Troops then, now, in Virginia, He
says:
Our men are comparatively well equipped but the
rial of which their clio hing made and cannot last
long, 1t s thin for cold weather, and shall look to
the noble respective counties for fresh sup
ply We must agitae this and that the
not left TO suffer. The Southern COnfederacy TO whom we
now belong will find impossible with the best
in the world provide for the large army Virginia
We suffer unless counties take of US an
mex list of the companies composing Regiment and
trust they will begin and unite their action to take
care of their people. Let me make suggestion. The
Government allows twentyone dollars to each man evey
six months for clothing. paid advance, ache thy
haze they money Let the different counties from which ouE
Regiment comes unite tc make some arrangement by which
thew can draw this money and expend soldiers
There may be small deficiency but the counties VIII not
hesitate TO supply it, Let me make another suggesion
The thing stout flannel shirts and overcoats
Let make third suggestion Don't let he co4aeS IN
derake this thing unless they commit 1t to the hands o. men
aCho IDlN attend to 1t.
Now surely there is nothing impossible in this nor
even difficult taken in hand by the authorities with
the determination to carry it through The county OF
New Hanover has sent out eleven or t"elve COM
panes of State troops She has 10 the 9Th volunteer
regiment FIVE companies also the Wilmington Horse
Artillery, which has been accepted for twelve months
aud has gone into camp to say nothing OF two or three
other companies organized and drilling and some of them
armed and equipped.
Say to begin with, that New Hanover has one thou
sand men in Virginia, at least that the companies
raised in this county and now in Virginia amount to
that rumber of men, then the amount at $2l piece,
the six-monthy communication for clothing, would be
$2l ,OOO Why not the county get the assignment OF
this from the companies and get from the Confederate
government bonds stock to corresponding amount,
in the meantime pushing forward il the best and most
econ omical manner the equipment of the troops.
We have given this instance by way of illustration
We have referred to the State troops in Virginia not
for the purpose of making distinction against Others
but merely as matter OF convenience.
The facts and reasonngs upon them will apply equal
y to other companies aud to other counties. If Con-
fderate bonds not to be good then nothing in the
Confederacy will long have value. Ali that the coun-
ties are asked to do is to Advance these necessary art
ces to their troops not g1Ue them advance them in
time to prevent sickness death from the want OF them
And if the patriotism and public spirit of the citizens
should add such other articles may be necessary for
the comfort of the soldiers but not procurabe within
the limit of $2l for six months who shall say that it
will not be liberality wisely and we'll displayed.
We do our share of pain, out-spoken growing but
also wish to suggest press forward something
dial Is not the suggestion of our soldier correspondent,
to which We have REFERRED really worthy of the serious
attention OF the wise and patriotic members of our
County Courts throughout the State? Why cannot
some gentleman well experienced in business details
take the matter Immediately in hand and set the ball in
motion Once started, ii will roll.
The BIG UNION GUN recently cast at Pittsburg
and carried down to Fortress Monroe proves upon trial.
to be comparatively speaking, failure far range
is concerned 1t throws solid shot of 435 pounds and
uses CARTRIDGE containing 45 pounds OF powder. 1t is
red and is sixteen feet long, the bore being about II
feet, and yet its range with she'll is than three
miles, with shot not than three miles and one
seventh, being nothing like good range the red
32s which they making cut of ship thirtytwos at
Norfolk.
These very arge rfed guns have not yet succeeded
in a single instance.