The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-22
Volunteering for Twelve Months and fer tn .
Nara Patriotic Letter from a son 10 hi

fathcr.
from the Atlanta Southern Confsderacy.I
LessTs. Editors: The following letter was
written by son, ~ years old, to his father,
VINO, whilst he was willing that his son
should volunteer for twelve months, was re-
luctant to give him up during the war. If
you think this letter breq thes the right spir-
tiff you think it will touch the hearts of
other fathers and OF other sons in the right
place, please give it place IN your valuable
paper:
DEAR FATHER: The Lester Volunteers are
now preparing to start for the seat Of war,
and feel II 70 be my duty 10 ask your con-
sent before ! go. Wu,n vol u teered for ona
year, YOU seemed perfectly willing; but
whe'! saw you last. yen appeared diss Ats
fed :hat hid agreed to go during the war
1t is needless for me 10 say any thing in regard
to the change which the Congress OF the Con.
fe.iera'e states has made Let it sUii e 10 say
tlat | think ii Is nothing bEt right, and if I
did not, would be willing to go anyhow
Nothing can he too hard, no sacrifice too great,
when Liberty is at stake But fathers love
will foresee dangers, and urge cause. You
poinG me 10 the tolls, hardships and dangers
OF g soldiers life. THESE l know are great
but is the strong right arm OF God too weak 10
protect, too abort 10 defend me from the vices
and crimes which surround the soldier the
only enemies fear. Shall not trust Him I!
'Ah but death is almost certain" YOU re
.pond. Would you teach me to fear to die in
defence OF right, Of truth and OF Justice p
Fighting for the land Of my birth, for the
Il,
for the home love / feel that death, In its
most horrid and CHASTITY form, would nave no
terrors for me. "But perhaps You will not be
needed; wait until you are called for again"
you reply. have heard this advanced often,
and have as repeatedly inquired, ,ehen ,ciIt
that be , Will it be when our land is in yaded
and laid waste with fire and sword ; cur
homes desolated; our loved ones butchered-
when the Confederate {, lg trails in the dust,
our army defeated and disorganized! No,
Father the first gun that doomed from Fort
Sumter called in thunder tones upon me IL
rally to the standard OF my country, and l
burn to answer that call.
But feel that ] cannot 60 without Your
consent for you are my father, and as such
you have the right to say whether or not
shall GO. beg you, as you love me, withhold
not your consent. Ii you refuse, must obey;
but when 1t is done, life will have lost ali
charms for me, even if the South should, by a
vigorous cam palgn, soon end the war by dri
wing from our land the yaDdals of the North
Oh. call me not back. Rather immune me
in some loath some dungeon; let me be the
cringing vassal Of some heartiess tyrant; bind,
rivet the clanking chains Of an ignoble per
petuated slavery upon me, rather than show
er on my head the blessings of u liberty
bought by the blood of others. Let me pour
Ort the gushing fountain O. my own heart to
secure my own rights. and am content. l
want no liberty but nay 0,sn, achieved By my
own eZertiOns and purchased by my own
blood. Gall me not a bind enthusiast. Does
love of country need stimulant TO call it in
to action? Must reason be dethroned that
the fires Of patriotism may be aroused No
idle dream Of fame, DO slavish love of mo-
ney actuates me. All ask is 70 fight for my
country. l want no remuneration Give me
a few tattered rags to hide my nakedness, g
crust to appease the gna wings of hunger, and
Liber'y, aad am happy.
You want me TO continue to my Studies
DO you suppose can forget bleeding coun-
try and devote my time and attent ton to the
study Of the law7 Impossible sometimes
take up my books, determined to forget every
thing else, but, soon my mind Is wandering
over the plains Of the Old Dominion, and, in
my imagination, hear the thunder Of cannon
on our borders, and see the smoke of battle
books, home, self, are all forgotten, and long
for the hour of departure to arrive.
know it will wiring nv heart to bid you
perhaps last farewell. Were the only enc
TO regret my leaving, l could 10 without a
sigh: but to see my friends in tears is too
much for me. Every day l think of that sad,
sad hour, and my heart swells with grief; tears
how unrestrained. l cit down some times in
my room, at the lone hour Of the night, when
all eyes save those of an all seeing God are
closed in sleep, sometimes In the depths Of the
forest. beneath the ovsreh do :'::ng branches OF
some monarch Of the woods, and give vent 20
not, however, suppose that this oEanIthitfg
elss viii aesp uasf.on4 going Tell 's,otheE TO
make what clothes she wants nae to have
Wa expec. TO start In two or three weeks.
Nov. father, let me entTeat you, with all
the eaanestness OF my heart to give your coz
sent willingly, and fathers parting blessing.
l cannot 60 without them ! cannot live and
stay At homo. Your son,
w. E. RosEKs.