Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-08-13
For the Standard.
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, VA,
August 3, 1862.

J
Vim. ". Holden, ESQ., -
DEAR SlR:-In looking over the last issue of the
Standard noticed list of $50 called) deserters
from the 18th Rrgt. 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 as gentleman, and as
q soldier from the "Old North State" beg that
you will publish the following fu-lough with the
marks appended:
ar. i. Ballard, I'd Lieut.. in Co. L, 18th Reg't.
N c. T., having suffered for more than month
with chronic darrhosa, and being too exhausted to
attend TO any military duties, and moreover, having
a brother who is Adjutanl in the same Reg't, who
was dangerously wounded in the battle Of the first
of July, so as to render assistance on 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.
[Sgnedl S. W. LANGD0N,
Surg. 18th Reg. N. c. 7.
Approred: J. II. STEVENS,
Senior Surg Gen. Cobb's Brigade.
Approred: WM. McRAE,
Lieut. Colonel Commanding
Approued: HOWELL COBB,
Brigadier General"
Now, Sir, this furlough with its signatures, is q
cerbatim ct Ateratim copy Of one received on Ju-
ly Sd, after the fighting before Richmond had all
broken Down 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 eminent
physician; still, Sir, | ain deserer. have been
in service for fifteen mon,hs-was on the old blight
cd Peninsula for eigh. MONTHS and at the i'll fated
Yorktown, when my comrades were dying around
me by hundreds-was with my Regiment, (the old
brow beaten 9Th Vols assisting to defend our lines
above Yorktown on the little "Warwick"-was
with the brave, lion hearted Mckinney, when he
sacrificed his noble life on the altar of liberty, at
Dam No. l, OH the 10th of April. trust Sir,
have ever been at my post of duty, cndeavoring to
do what little lay in my power for my oppressed,
Bleeding, isolated country. I shall erer be at her
caA This is enough a- .soss :, * -ugz
On calm reflection, cannot think that the Colo
mel commanding was actuated by any other than
strict sense OF military duty, when he had that list
published Col. Mc2ae, SO far as | know, is kind
hearted man. but is very strict in his military dis
ciplne. That list Of seventy-eight which you pub
lished, was list of men whose furloughs being out
were still abscnt-not being well enough in most
cases. Il have no doubD to resume their camp du-
ties Thus, in the morning reports. they were
marked absent without leave They arc not deser-
tiers. There are no traitors in the "old 18TH" My
company, Sir has very recently been transferred to
the SD N. q. T., and while the change is by no
means unpleasant, still can never forget the brave
boys Of the old 10Th who repulsed the enemy so
calamity at Warwick river and who poured out so
much proud blood on the CORY battlefield Of Tues
day, July LIST.
knowing your willingness to do justice to ALL I
hope you will give the foregoing an immediate in
sertioa in the columns of the Standard thus allow.
ing me fair opportunity to make public explana-
tion and to correct which if left unnotced
might leave wrong impression on the minds Of
some to whom / am remotely known. - .-
/ Wishing you q continuation Of your present pros.
perity, have the honor to subscribe myself,
Yours very truly, R. E. BALLARD,
1879 ~ I'd It. Co. K sod Req N r. r