Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-12
For the Standard.
N6,nur H-inchoskon LIZ Oct 1870 [

CAMP 9TH NEG 7 ~ y. OTATE 1ROoPS
Near Winchester, Va, Oct. %, 1862.
To the People Of Berthe County:
have today forwarded to Gov. Vance my resis-
nation as Senator in the next General Assembly, to
which your partially had recently elevated me-
To have received in ordinary times such mark of
the confidence and esteem of body Of constituents
so distinguished for intelligence and PATRIOTISM
would have been sufficient honor; but to receive
such testimonial of your favorable appreciation of
ME, while confined in the hands of the public enc
my as prisoner Of war, without the least solicita
lion on my part, and without even any knowledge
that had been proposed as candidate with no
certainty that exchange of prisoners would take
effect in sufficient time to enable me to perform the
duties of this responsible trust, and this too, in
times Of great trouble, requiring wisdem and fidel
ty in the public councils, cvnoes degree of favor
and good will which exctes within Inc the livelicst
emotions of gratitude. | hope ! am not mistaken
when refer the honor thus conferred to desire
your part to manifest favorable appreciation of
my conduct in volunteering promptly at the begin
ming Of our struggle for independence, and in de.
voting myself Since to the service of the country,
amidst all the dangers and privatons to which
army in the field has been subjected. regret ex.
ceedngly that sense of duty requires to resign
this position and continue in the service in the
army. This determination partially formed
when was recently at home; but the condition Of
my health at that tipe arising from the wound
which had received at Williamsburg, rendered it
doubtful whether I should be able permanently to
rcttrn to duty in my regiment. My wound has
now, however, entirely healed up, anu my health is
so fine as to afford me the assurance that may
freely obey the sense Of duty which impes me to
this course l think my services in the army are
greatly more valuable to the country than in the
position to which your Partially would assign me.
But, in addition to this, not among the least impor
tant considerations influencing me, may be men,
toned the attachment formed for comrades in arms
with whom have shared the hardships of two cam.
paigns, and that was not willing to add myself to
the number Of those who are seeking positions Of
ease and honor at home, to excuse themselves from
military duty, while the enemy still sends forward
his columns of invasion, threatening even 6ercer
spirit of vengeance and destruction than when the
war began; and although am firmly convinced that
tile unparalleled successes which the valor of our
armies under Providence is daily achieving for us,
must soon restore to the blessings of peace aud
independence, do not regard affairs as placed
upon such sure footing as to allow US to dismiss
all apprehensions for the future am per-
suaded that if any great danger environs the coun
try, it results from disposition upon the part of
many citizens to plead some paltry excuse to evade
the performance of military service when they are
required to fill up the ranks Of our armies hope
my feeble example may not be without influence
in stirring up the tagging zeal of those whose SER
vices are imperative.y needed. l hope that the
course which have taken WILL upon reflection, ap-
pear to you to be that which true patriotism die
tates.
have the honor to be, most respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
THOs. NJ. GARRETT.