The New York herald., 1863-02-06
Appeal to the People or North Carolina.
A PROCLAMATION BY zEBrLoN B. VANCE, GOVERNOR
OF THE sTATR NORTH AROIIEA

Appear 10 the FeOpIe OF NOrNn C0rOlln0.
A PROCLAMATION BY zEBrLoN b. VANCE, GOVERNOR
OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, u has been made known To me that large
number Of soldiers from absent from their
coors without proper leave in ta s hOurf our greatest
need and being confidently believed large major.
ity Of such were impeed TO this by natural and
almost irresistible desire 70 their homes and friends
more after long Absence and because Of
cowsrdy dissemination leave their brave
and, Whereas MAJOR General G. W Smith in command Of
the department OF North Carolina, by OF the
s@cretary o. war mas published an order declaring that
of February next, shall be received Into their
commando with NO other punishment than forfeiture Of
their pay FOR the time they have been absent without
leave and declaring further that all who do return
by the said tenth day Of February shall appre.
hsnded DO tried fof dosertion and upon conviction be
Now therefore, i, zebulon B. Vance, Governor Of the
stas S o. North Carolina 90 issue thus my Procamation
the Confederscy who illegally absent from their
colors, commanding them 10 return TO duty with their
comrades and exhortng them to avail themselves of THU
opportunity OF saving their friends from the disgrace
namy which will cling forever 70 the name of the de-
felons death Many after carrying their oountry,s Gag
In triumph through various bloody conflicts making
themselves name OF which their children's children
might have been Justly proud, have forfeited II all by
absentng themselves at moment when their own state
invaded and about TO be deso,sted by a brutal half
savage foe Now the time renstate themselves by
prompt return 10 duty appeal 70 them stand by
their country yet \ little longer and suy by de-
sertion the bright and glorious reputation of the state
which they have helped 70 win hundred hard fought
fields. And appeal TO all good and loyal citi-
zens throughout the State 20 give their influence induce
these men to return let ne ono unnoYed by thus ap-
peal 10 bis patriotism and honor suppose that he
remain at home with mpunity. The full power u the
State authorities aided II need be by the cufederacy
shah be put IN force To him and bring him " pun
shment after the 10th day Of February next and there
shall be rest Tor the dcserer the borders OF North
Carolina And let none their deserton by decar
ing that they 90 home 10 take their families
They will add nothing to the comforts Of their families By
hiding like guilty IN the woods by day and by plum
derfng their neighbors by night they only bring shame
and suffering upon the heads o the innocent and their
little children, when gray headed old men viii tho
nnscs u scorn pointed At them ana the bitter will
ring In their earsYour father skuked the woods 70
keep from fighting for his country
The state s trying provide food fv your families
and each county " making . similar provision, and
your Chief Magistrate, promise you that wife and
shall share the last bushel o pound q
meat IN the state LIST every patriot In sssist
with all hts influence Ia the execution o this proclamA
tion and victorious ranks will again be cd our
country soon be rid Of the enemy.
In witness whereof, zebuon II. Vance, our Governor
Captain General and Commander In Chief, hath signed
these presents and caused the great o the state TO be
affixed
Done at city Of Raleigh on the 10th day of Janu.
ary In the year of our Lord 1858 Il VANCE.
BY the Governor X VI. Battle, Jr Private secretary