Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-08-09
For the Standard.
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, Va,
Auoust 3 1862.


Wm. w. Holden, Eg. -
DEAR SIR:-Tn looking over the last issue of the
Standard, noticed list of (so-calledD deserters
from the 18th Regt n. c. Troops, amongst which
find my name At first was astounded and felt
deep sense of modification and wounded pride
For the sake of my character gentleman, and as
a soldier from the "0ld North State" / beg that
you will publish the following furlough with the
marks appended:
"R f. Ballard, Cd Lieut. in Co. L, 18th Rcg't
n. G. T., having suffered for more than a month
with chronic darrhoea, and being too exhausted to
attend to any military duties, and moreover, having
a brother who is AdjutanC in the same Regt, who
was dangerously wounded in the battle of the first
of July, so as to render assistance his journey
home absolutely necessary, most respectfully begs
that you will allow him to have leave Of absence
for SIX days, that he may recruit his health, and
attend to his wounded brother.
[Signcdl S. w. LANGDON,
Surg. 18th Reg N. c. T.
Approped: j. II. STEVENS,
Approred: WV. McRAE
Lieut. Colonel Commanding
Approred: HOWELL CoBB,
Brigadier General"
Now, Sir, this furlough with it's signatures, is
uerbatim ct iterGtim copy of one received on Ju-
ly Sd, after the fighting before Richmond had all
ceased. | came home sick, weary and exhausted
broken GOWN from marching, battling and exposure,
and from watching at the bedside of wounded
brother. Until within the past few days have
been under the medical treatment Of an eminent
physician still, Sir, an dcserter. have been
in for fifteen monlhs-was the old slight
ed Peninsula for eight MONTHS and at the Inflated
Yorktown when my comrades were dying around
me by hundreds-was with my Regiment, (the old
beaten 5th Vols assisting to defend lines
above Yorktown on the little Warwck"-was
with the brave, lion. hearted Mckinney, when he
L 4. e
Dam No. l, on the 10th Of April. | trust, Sir, |
have ever been at my post of duty, endeavoring to
do what little lay in my power for my oppressed,
bleeding, isolated country. shall ersr be ut her
call This is enough.
On calm reflection, cannot think that the Colo
mel commanding was actuated by any other than a
strict sense Of military duty, when he had that list
published. Col. McRae, so far as | know, is kind
hearted man, but is very strict in his military dis
cipline. That list Of seventy eight which you pub
lshed, n list of men whose furloughs being out
were still absent-not being well enough in most
cases, q have no doubD to resume their camp du-
ties. Thus, in the morning reports, they were
marked absent without leave They are not tleSer
tiers. There are no traitors in the :" old 10TH" My
company, Sir has very recently been transferred to
the 32d n. q. L., and while the change is by no
means unpleasant still can forget the brave
boys of the old 18th who repulsed the enemy
calamity at Warwick river, and who poured out SO
much proud blood on the CORY battle field OF Tues
day, July LIST.
knowing your willingness to do justice to all, 1
hope you will give the foregoing an immediate in
sertion in the columns of the Standard, thus allow
ing me a fair opportunity to make public expana-
tion and to correct which if left unnoticed
might leave a wrong impression on the minds of
some to whom am remotely known. -
Wishing you continuation Of your present pros
perity have the honor to subscribe myself
Yours very truly, R. E. BALLARD,
I'd 1t Co. K, 32d Reg. n. G. T.