Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-14
Army Correspondence of the Savannah Republican,

49,
[Army Correspondence of the Savannah Republican,
SUFFERING IN GEN. LEES ARMY.
WINCHESTER VA, Sept. &c, 1862.
can recall no parallel instance in history, except
Napoleons disastrous retreat from Moscow, where
an army has ever done more marching and fighting
under such great disadvantages, than Gen. Lees has
done since it left the banks Of James river. 1t pro-
ceeded directly to the line of the Rappahannock
and moving out from that river, it fought its way to
the Potomac crossed that stream and moved on to
Fredericktown and Hagerstown, had heavy en-
gagement at Boonsboro' Gap, and another at Cramp-
ton Gap below, fought the greatest pitched battle
of the war at Sharpsburg, and then re.crossed the
Potomac back into Virginia During all this time,
covering the full space Of month, the troops rest
ed but four days And let it always be remem-
bered to their honor that of the who per-
formed this wonderful feat one.fifth Of them were
barefooted, half Of them in rags and the whole
of them half furnished The country from the
Rappahannock to the Potomac had been visited by
the enemy with fire and sword, and our transport
alton was insufficient to keep the army supplied
from so distant base as Gordonsvlle; and when
the provision trains would overtake the army, so
pressing were the exigencies Of their position, the
men seldom had time to cook. Their difficulties
were increased by the fact that their cooking uten
silS in many cases. had been left behind, well
as everything else that would impede their move
ments. 1t was not unusual to see a company of
starving men have barrel Of -four distributed to
them, which it was utterly impossible for them to
convert into bread with the means and time allowed
to them. They could not procure even piece of
plank a corn or flour sack, upon which to work
up their dough.
Do you wonder, then that there should have been
straggerS from the army? That brave and true
men should have fallen out of line from sheer ex-
hauston or in their efforts to obtain mouthful to
eat along the roadside? Or that many seasoned
Al II
and Manassas, should have succumbed to disease
and been forced back to the hospital? I look to
hear great outcry raised against the stragglers
Already lazy cavalry-men and dainty staff officers
and QuartermasterS, who are mounted and can TO-
rage the country for something TO eat, con-
demning the weary private, who, notwithstanding
his body NAV be covered with dust and pcrspira-
ton, and his feet with stonebruises is expected to
trudge along under his knapsack and cartridge box
empty stomach, and never to turn aside for
mOrsel of food to sustain his sinking limbs. Out
upon such monstrous injustice! That there has
been unnecessary stragglers, is readily admitted;
but in large majority of cases, the men have only
to point TO their bleeding feet, tattered garments
and gaunt frames for answer to the unjust charge
No army on this continent has ever accomplished
as much, or suffered as much, as the army Of North
ern Nirginian within the last three months. At no
period during the first Revolutionary war-not even
at Valley Forge-did our forefathers in arms en-
uncomplainingly..
But great as have been the trials to which the
army has been subjected, they are hardly worthy
to be named in comparison with the sufferings in
store for it this winter, unless the people of the
Confederate States, everywhere and in whatever
circumstances, come to its immediate relief
The men must have clothing and shoes this win
ter. They must have something to cover themselves
when sleeping, and to protect themselves from the
driving sleet and snow storms when on duty. This
must be done, though our friends at home should
have to wear cotton and sit by the fire. The army
in Virginia stands guard this day, as it will stand
guard this winter, every hearthstone through
out the South The ragged sentinel who may pace
his weary rounds this winter on the bleak spurs of
the Blue Ridge, or along the frozen valleys of the
Shenandoah and Rappahannock, will also be your
sentinels, my friend, at home. 1t will be for you
and your household that he encounters the wrath
of the tempest and the dangers of the night. lie
suffers and tolls and fights for you, too brave true
hearted women of the South. Will you not clothe
his nakedness thena Will you not put shoes and
stockings on his feet? Is it not enough that he has
written down his patriotism in crimson characters
along the battle road from the Rappahannock to the
Potomac? And must his bleeding feet also impress
their mark of fidelity upon the SHOWS of the coming
winterH l know what your answer" will be- God
has spoken through the women of the South, and
they his holy oracles in this day of trial and
tribuation.
1t Is not necessary to counsel violent measures
but it is not expected that any person will be per-
mitted to accumulate leather and cloth for purposes
of speculation The necessities of the army rise up
like mountain, and cannot and will not be over
looked 1t was hoped at one time that we might
obtain winter supplies in Maryland This hope was
born after the army left Richmond, and has now
miseraby persisted. The Government is unable to
furnish the supplies for they not to be had in
the country. If it had exercised little foresight
last spring and summer when vessels were running
the blockade with cargoes of Calico linen and other
articles of like Importance, partial supply at least
of hats, blankets shoes and wooden goods might
have been obtained from England.
But whatever may be done by the people, should
be done Immediately. Not one moment can be lost
that will not be marked as by the second hand of
watch, with the pangs of sufferer. Already the
hills and valleys in this high latitude have been
visited by FROST and the nights are uncomfortably
cool to the man who sleeps upon the ground Come
up, then, men and women of the South, to this sa-
cred duty. Let nothing stand between you and the
performance of it. Neither pride, nor pleasure, nor
personal ease and comfort, should withhold your
hands from the holy work. The supply of leather
and wool, all know, is limited; but do what you
can, and all you can and as soon as you can. If
you cannot send wooden socks send balf wooden or
cotton socks and so with under clothing, coats and
pants. And if blankets not to be had, then SUBJ
stitute comforts made of dyed osnaburgs stuffed
with Gotten. Anything that will keep of the cold
will be acceptable.