Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-20

w "i0 4u"0"'sU ~ d young cuZen OI Petersburg,
now il camp neaC Ccnreyie, for the following COW of
"eh' 0oDu'toh spirited appeal to the volunteers:
Headquarters,
DEPARTMENT NORTHERN VIRGINIA
February 4, 1862.
Soldiers! Your country again calls you to the de-
ence OF the noblest Of human causes 10 the indom-
table courage already exhibited on the battle fed Won
have added the rarer virtues OF high endurance cheer
tul obedience, and sc-sacrfce. Accustomed. to the
comforts and lnXues-o home you have met and borne
the prlVatlonS OF camp lie the exactiyns of military
discipline, and the rigorS Of a winter campaign The
rch results o your courage, patriotism and unalterinp
virtue are before you Iutitlsed with the defence Of
this important frontier, you haYG driven back the i'm
mense army which the enemy had sent 10 invade our
country aud to establish his dominion over orr neoIe
by the wide spread havoc OF war inauqura,d without
shadow OF constitutional night anu prosecuted in
spirit OF ruthless vengeance b your valor and firm
ness you have kept him in check until the Nations of
the Earth have been forced to see US in our true char
.acter not dsmembered and rebciou communities but
an empire OF Confederate Saics with Constitution
safe IN the affections OF the peop.e-nsttutons and
laws IN full and unObs ructed operation-a popuation
enjoying all the comforts of lie-anl citizen godierv
who laugh To scorn the threat of subjugation.
our country now summons you to n0bler duty and
greater deed The enemy has gathered up all his en-
erges for final conflict His enormous MASSES threat
en- US on the West his naval expeditions are assipg
us upon our whole Southern coast and upon the Poto
mac, within few hours march, he has gigantic armv
lntlamed by lust and maddened by fanalicsm But the
plains OF Manassas are not forgotten and he shrnks
from meeting the disciplined heroes who hurled across
the Potomac his grand army, routed aud disgraced-
lie does not propose to attack this army SO long as it
holds Its present position with undimuished numbers
and unimpaiIed discipline but, protected by his fQri-
1catons, he GWaHS the expiration Of g0ur term of SER
U1ce lie recolecs that his own igno6le sodiery when
their term OF service expired marched away from the
scene OF the colct to the sound of the enemys can
non ; and he hopes that at that critical moment South
ern men will consent to share with them this infamv-
Expecting large polti0Q Of army to be soon dis
banded, he hopes that hi5 immense numbers will easily
oVerpower your gallant comrades who will be left here
and thus remove tie chief obstacle to his cherished
scheme OF Southern subjugation.
The Commanding General calls upon the twelve
months men to stand by their brave comrades who have
volunteered tor the war to re-yolunecr at once-and
thus show to the world that the patriots engaged in this
struggle for independence will not swerve from the
ooodiest path they may be called to tread The enc
mics OF your country well her friends are watch
ing your action with Deep intense tramuous interest
Such is your post that you can act 10 obscure part
our decision, be IL for honor dshonOr will be writ
ten down In history. You cannot will not draw back
at this solemn crisis OF struggle when all that is
heroic In the land is engaged, and all that is precious
hangs trembling in the balance.
BY command of General Johnston
A. i. MASON, a. A. A. Gent.