Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-10-15
Army Correspondence of the Savannah Republican,
SUFFERING IN GEN. LEES ARMY.
WINCHESTER Va, Sept. 26, 1862.

Army Correspondence OF the Savannah Repuoilcan.l
SUFFERING IN GEN. LEES ARMY.
WINCHESTER Va, Sept 26, 1862.
can recall no parallel instance in history, except
Napolcons disastrous retreat from Moscow, where
an army has 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 one-half of them in rags, and the whole
of them half famished. 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 Gordonsville; and when
the provision trains would oyertake the army, so
pressing were the exigencies Of their position the
men seldom had time to cook. Their difficulties
increased by the fact that their cooking uten
sis, in many cases, had been left behind as well
as everything else that would impede their move
| ments. 1t not unusual to a company of
them, which it 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 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-
haustion or in their efforts to obtain mouthful to
eat along the roadside? Or that many seasoned
veterans, the conquerorS in the valley, at Richmond
| and Manassas, should have succumbed to disease
and been forced back to the hospital? l look to
| hear great outcry raised against the straggers
Already lazy cavalry-mcn and dainty staff officers
| and quarternasterS who are mounted and TO-
| rage the country for something to eat.
| dcmning the weary private, who, notwithstanding
his body may be covered with dust and perspira-
ton, and his feet with stoncb bruises is expected to
trudse along under his knapsack anu cartridge box,
ON an empty stomach and never to turn aside for
morsel of food to sustain his sinking limbs. Out
| upon such monstrous I'M justice! That there has
been unnecessary straggers, 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 to the unjust charge
| No army on this continent has accomplished
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-dld our forcfathers in arms en-
counter greater hardships, or endure them more
uncomplaningly.
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 sufferngs 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 duty. This
ho tl-,,r J.. I
have to wear cotton and sit By the fire. The army
in Virginia stands guard this day, it will stand
guard this winter, over 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 He
suffers and tolls and fights for you too, brave, true
hearted women of the South. Will you not clothe
his nakedness then? 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
winter? know what your answer will be- God
has spoken through the women of the South. and
they are his holy oraces in this day of trial and
! tribulation.
| IL Is hot necessary 10 counsel violent measures
but it is not expected that any person will be per-
mtted to accumulate leather and cloth for purposes
OF speculation The necessities of the army rise I'D
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
mserably persisted. The Government is unable to
furnish the supplies for they arc not to be had in
the country. 1fit 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 miyht
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, 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 unconfortably
cool to the man who sleeps upon the ground. Como
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 and comfort, should withhold YOUR
hands from the holy work. The supply of leather
and WOOL we all know, is limited; but do what Won
can, and all you can, and as soon as you can. If
you cannot send wooden socks, send half wooden or
cotton socks; and with under clothing, coats and
pants And if blankets are not to be had, then SUBJ
sttute comforts made of dyed osnaburgs stuffed
with Gotten. Anything that will keep of the cold
| will be accountable