Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-11-20
" j., Es!sFfs IL III .Asaa4''iiiFs.'; !;
Anat SekfssaS if:Holsti, !
Eorsr-t,n- Il GGT

Gentlemen: There is q prac.is6 prevailing
Il = considerable extent in the army Of North
crn Tirrinia land i. may be for aught wo
know in CHER armies Of Inc Coniedcracy)
which W., conceive to be seriously detrimental
to the public service. We refer to the p'ac-
tice, encouraged, it is true, by scmH a our
bravcgt and best officers, of ladies accomp,a-
nvins their husbands in camp and during the
campaign. Frequently the army IS scarcely
established in camp than Mrs. General OF
Colonel arrives with innumcrabte bandboScs
and q retinue of attendants. and enscHncc5 her.
self comfortably in the house chosen rs
headquarters by her chief. When orders 10
prepare to march are received then comes
embarrassment and confusion. Madam is to be
DISPOSED of before the General en- attend pro-
ner!y 10 the movements Of his troops, and an
ambulance it may be- which should be roll
ing to the front for the use ofthe wounded, Is
pressed into service for her accommodation.
GNow we submit that, Of all others, the army
is the most unsuitable place for woman, f'r
here she can in no way contribute TO the
cause. and may be the OCCASION Of considerable
Inconvenience and trouble. The women OF
the Confedcracy, although required by no sta
tu.e to render service, have q part to perform
as we'll as the mon in this trying struggle
IL is ours to bear arms in battle, to bare our
bo.oms to the storm, to uphold the flag, TO
heat back the invader it is theirs to spin, TO
weave, to nurse the Wounded, and cheer
their protectors by their Industrious efforts
10 rnlivcn their labors with offerings of their
handiwork The bayonet that stabs to tic
heart, and the cannon ball that tears through
the ranks are powerful weapons 70 defend ne:
but not less 80 is the needle, guided by nimbic
fingers, or the smile that is born from Il cheer
full heart. At home, econom;zing expenses,
dispensing charities to the poor and mitiga-
ting the pains of the wounded by her kind ut
tentions this is the place for women now
Apart, however, from the considerations that
the presence Of the wife in the army intcterts
with the officers discharge ofduty, and that she
NAV be rendering valuable service at home, is
another paramountto either. 1t is the example
t. the troops. If on officer expects to lead his
soldiers to victory he must throw hmselffear
lessy ut their bead, and cry to them ''follow
me ~ and if he expects them 20 be patient in
hardship and cheerfully obcdicnt to his or
ders, he must himself participate in their
dficulte', ard prove model for their lnlita-
ton. In cur army. Frequently the habitations
and tho comforts Of the private ami his Cen
oral afford painful contrast. The private is
in the woods without ercu tent for shelter,
and log fire only TO protect him from the
rigors of the season. Alar Oft under the
roof Of some cosy dwelling the General
fares sump;uously every day"-it may
be, surrounded 10y his wife and loved ones.
If the private: who suffers, and ventures sc
much is called to visit home by the necessities
Of his family, the frequent endorsement on his
application is this respectfully ssrcturncl,
regretting the necessity Of disaprroval." lie
restraints his feelings, and continues maniul'y
at his post; but he sees his leader-the man
who speaks to him of scll-dcnial AMI endn,
rance --enioying the luxury Of Il house, and
the pleasant society Of his family. Is the
picturc calculated to encourage him? The
generous act of Alexander the Great, who,
though narchcd with thirs! in the desert,
poured out his water on the SAID, rather than
-,ucnch his pains while his troops suffered,
son their undying attachment. Who would
not follow the man who thus ignored his
wants. and had so high regard fur bis sol>
ders?
Let our generals, and colonies, and promi-
nent officers show this spirit of scll.abncga-
ton, and there is nothing that can dampen
the arlor, or Withstand the i:arctuosit7 Of our
troops.
Ladies, stay at home, and knit gloves and
stockings for your husbands. Officers, attend
70 your duties, leave your wires to a'ten'! to
theirs, and. when your troops arc called on to
10 or dare. .thcy will not be found wanting.
Respectfully, PRIVATE.