Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-07-01
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The following cotrepondsnos,. with which we
have ham farnishsd ibr pntiieatioa 81 Gsy. yaneA
is alike crsditabls % that funcHanAsy and to the
soldier and his fsthsr. The soldier innasncsa BY
his naturally strong yearnFss ior homie ahsents
himself from his regiment without lsave, aud makes
his appearance, travel worn and downaa. st his
tatheFs gaia The old man meets him with tsass
q joy. but those tears are changed 70 grief IS soon
~ he laafns that his son is absent without leaye
Heehides him for his condsct and telis him 70 70
tnrn and stand BY his ooloes tothe last The soa
receives the reproof with mseknsss Of his
lofsnos md writes to the Governor asking pardon
and ! passport 70 return o his ssginsnt The par.
don Is granted md the passport farnishsd and ~
have no doubtbY this time soldier
is sgsia with bis regiment strengthened 10 resolu.
ton BY the ordeal through which be has passed and
prepared to do suffer Cor his country 10 thslast
The eAnnais Of Grsecs and Rome furnish no exsmpls
Of patriotism brighter or purer than that exhibited
BY the father Of this soldier. And if AL absentees
and deserters were treated with the mingled firm
ness and kindness which led this soldier to repent
Of hs error, aud which has returned him to hisreg
iment deaertions would be less frequent and many
who are now absent would go back to their regi-,
ments better men, and more determined than ever
to stand BY tlasir eolors We repeat what ws have
sooften said to oursolden nothing esn justify deser
serton There ere fewer desertons il is true, from
North Carolina regiments .haa from those Of Other
States but sorry to know that there are any.
Soldiers your State has pledged hcrselt 10 this war
Her honor Dat stake When she says come home,
come, but not before She watches over yen with
the socitude Of mother, and her heart beeds when
you suffer. When you sre wronged, she labors
through her Governor, who has been soldier him
self to remedyyour wrongs. The night may be
long, and the prospect DOW and then gloomy. but
the morning must come sooner or later. Desertion
neither saves nor helps Whatever your wrongs,
whatever your motives, whatever your opinions
about the war, desertion will only sggravate your
situation. This IS common sense. You are in the
keeping Of your State. She wiXbs true 70 her al
lies to the last bus in the end she will be true to
herself II the cause succeeds, as we hope twill,
you win return with flying colors, and the shouts
Of thousands win greet you IS you place your feet
once more on your native soil; but If the cause
should fail your State viii know it in time, and will
provide for you. Therefore, while she says stay,
stay when she says return, return, but not before,
though thousand batteries should frown along
your path: - -
LINCOLN Co., N. O., June IS, 1858.
Ereellsney, Co., z B ,Vuncs:
SIR:-It is with sorrow communicate to you.
this morning., the contents of this letter, but see
other alternative; it is the only way for me ever
to gain the affection of my friends. Sir, L have
brought on myself disgrace and the contempt Of nv
friends as long as live by absenting myself from
my company without leave. got home the 18th
of this month. Ny old gray headed father met me
at the gate with joy-happy to see me. After pas
sing the usual compliments, he asked me if 1 was
on furlough. told him was not The old man
broke 4nto tears, and told me could not stay with
him, that must 60 and join my regiment rs-
Piled to him, intended to do so; did not come
home to stay. he then told me ii I would 90 back
be wouldn't have me arrested, but if not he Ger.
taialy would. told him wanted some clothes
and pair Of shoes He gave me pair Of shoes,
aud told me he intended to send me such things as
I needed, and asked me why didn't stay and wait
for furlough? Ireplied hadn't been home in SO
long, wanted to see them ell once more. He re.
piled, Z" had much rather never to have seen you,
than for you to come home in that way" Heasked
me if hadn't seen the Governors proclamation 2
l told him had not He then got the paper
See here-read this, my son this teaches you
what fruits dosertion brings on" Nov, "says he,
"you sre ruined-.undone forever. This sort Of
conduct will never do; you must return, and that
Immediately" Ipromised him would "Go,"
says he, and stand BY your colors until you fal,
or until your country is free" Goveraor, this il