Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-12
A Patriotic Letter.

lady to her sister, exhibits the spirit and
grit of the mountain lsssies and mat
rons, and, should put to the blush all
the weak kneed cfoakers and dcspon-
ders Of the wedker, though called ster-
ner sex. The writer had but one
brother to enter the army, and he glo-
riously fell a sacrifice to his country's
cause in the hard fought battle of
Charlottesville. Let all those who
feel discouraged" or disheartened,"
read and imbibe the spirit and patriot
ism of a. brave, true-hearted woman.
Ed. AGE.
PIeEoN RIVER, Sept. 21st, 1868.
DEAR SISTER l fear that you have
been a little uneasy about me, as | pre-
sumo you have heard so many rumors
of what has been done in Haywood by
the tories and yankees. There has
been one here yet. Some eight or
ten men from Tennessee came over on
Jonathan's Greek one night last week
and acted very strangely; but did not
interrupt any thing. I believe it is
generally thought they were spies. The
way the news first came, it produced a
perfect panic in this county. One half
the people we're nearly frightened out
of their wits. But, woman as I am, I
have not been scared yet. The whole
country between here and Tennessee is
open, and nothin g to hinder thieving
tory parties from making raids upon
this and the adjoining counties when
ever they like. Nearly the last man
of Thomas Legion-has deserted and
come home and some Of the ed N.
N. Reg [ think. Their officers told
them at the start they would not have
any fighting to do, and they seem de-
termined not to do it. From what l
can learn they have no efficient officers;
and officers, men and all, I should
think, were cowardly. I feel really
indignant at times when I think of how
matters have been managed in East
Tennessee. All these fellows that
come from there, say-"We are whip
ped" We might just as we'll give
up, no use in trying any longer, &c"
/ really feel ashamed of ssuao Of them
myself. | saw several men on Satur-
day that had run from East Tennessee.
They had their arms and said they
were not going back any more and
had told the yankees SO, who were SC
we'll pleased with their determination
that they offered them an escort of
hundred men to guard them into N
c., and they did send n to the line o.
beyond the yankee pickets. Now
what do you think of such proceeding
as that 2 They say they will fight a
home if the enemy should come ii
here. But will they protect us de
fenceless women and children? No
never. They will either run, as usual
or join the enemy. Tnere has beel
more complaining and threatening don
by these few regiments that have bee1
lying in East Tennessee this last sum
mer doing nothing, than from Genera
Lees entire army that have born
the heat and burden of the day"
[ have read Mr.. W. L. Westalrs let
ter in the last number Of the "Spirit
twice, and J really have not met wit
any thing of the sort lately SO CRAFTY
ing. 1t breathes a spirit Of patriotism
and fidelity to our cause that I admire
such noble devotion to our cause-th
cause of freedom-merits the highe'
praise. I would not give fig" fe
any man's or woman's patriotism ths
cannot labor and fight, love and pra
for our country in this her dark hot
and day Of distress, as when the mo
brilliant and uninterrupted success al
tended our arms, and victory eve
perched Upon our banners. Now
the time for Us to. make every effort v
can to secure our independence.
know that the love of many has wake
cold that were very jealous at the cor
mencement of this struggle. But the
i are Others that did net make such a fu
about the matter any way, that W
come forth from this time of trial ar
suffering and shine as gold purely re
fined in the furnace of -af1iction. S
|, c~ession and its consequences have bee
bad enough, but going back into I'll
/ Union would make things a great de
worse than they are now. No, wht