The Hillsborough recorder., 1863-05-27
BY THE GOVERNOR or NORTH CARO-.
LIMA.
A PROCLAMATION,

there have been latery numerous desertions
from the ranks OF our gallant army, and that ther.
are many persons in the country who ince and
encourage sese deserlions, and ha,bcr and conceal
these misguided men At home, instead Of encouraging
them 70 return 10 duty:
Now therefore |, ZEBULoN B. VANCE, Gov.
ernor of The State OF North Carolina DO issue this ms
proclamation. commanding all such evil disposed o..
sons to dessi from such base, cowardly and treason.
able conduct, and warning them that they will sub.
ec, themselves TO indictment and punishment in ,he
civil courts Of TIE Conedoracy as well az TO the ever,
lasting contempt and deesation Of all good and hoE
orshle men.
Certainly no crime could be greater no cowardics
more abject treason base than for ci.lze,.
Of the State enjoying It's privileges and protection
without sharing its dangers, TO persuade those whS
have had the courage to 60 forth in defense of Their
country, vry to desert the coors they have sworn 70
uphold, when miserable death a vile skuiking ard
ignominious existence must be the inevitable conss
quence; no plea can excuse il. The father or tbs
brother who does il should be shot instead Of his de-
uded VICTIM for be deliberately destroys the manhood
OF his own flesh and blood And the same is done b.
him who harhors and conceals the deserter Pof who
can respect either The one or the other What honest
man will ever wish OF permit his own brave sons G.
patriotic daughters, who bore their parts with credit
in tLis great struggle for independence, to ASSOCIATE
10 the third and fourth generations, with The vile
wretch who skulked in the woods, the still vilee
coward who aided him. while his bleeding country was
calling in vain FOR his hepi Both are enemies sneak
ing mean enemies OF their country, before whom op
open foes viii he infinitely preferred. Both are foes
to their own Kindred and noble countrymen who are
elecrifying the world by their gallant deeds, and
pouring out their blood upon be field Of battle TO pro
tect those very who sappng the ylals of oIr
strength And woe unto you, deserteIs, and your
siders and abeors, when peace being made and ind,
pendence secured, those brave comrades whom 20.
have deserted in the hour Of their trial shall reiurs
honored and triumphant 10 their homes! Ye ths,
hide yoor guilty faces by day, and prcw like outlaws
about by night, lobhing the wife aud mother Of youf
nob.e leisniers of Their little means, while they ar
flr away facing The enemy do you think ye can e..
cape the ju.l and damaing vengeance when the das
Of reckoning comes And We that shelter, concea.
and feed these miserable depredaiors, and smul.,.
hem 70 their infer nal deeds, think you that We will lie
.sparedi Nay rest assured, observing and fai
ing ewes have marked y0u every one. And when tht
overlosed wife welcomes more her brave and he
norable husband 10 his home. and tells him how IL
the long yesrs Of bis absence, in the lonely hours OF
the night, you who had been his comrades rudely en-
tered her house. robbed her and her children of Their
bread, Ind heaped insult and indgnilies upon her
defeneesss head. the wrath af that heroic hnsbsns
will make you regret in The hi, erness Of your COW.
Ardw terror thar you were eve, born. Inste-d Of
few scattered militia, the lend will be full Of veteran
soldiers before whose honest faces you will el have
courage 10 raise your eyes from the earth. II permit
ted 10 live in the State al al you will be infamCs,
You will be hustled from the pole, kicked in In.
streets, an hoaest lury viii not believe yss On osst
and honest men everywhess will shun you as pest
enee, for he who lacks courage and patriotism can
have no other good quality or redeening virtue
Though many Of you rejected the pardon herelofor.
offered you. and am moi suthorissd 10 promise *
vel am assured that no man will be shej who shsi
voluntarily return TO dsiy. This h the only shant.
10 redeem yourselves rom ,hs Disgrace and igpomn,
which yoa are ir-arsias.
Again our loope have ass me enemy and . rrsrs.
and glorious victory has been won Bot several thou.
sand Of our soldiers fell in achieving or u.s. Every
man is needed 10 replace the gsllsn, dead, and Tfs
serve an unbroken front 10 oor still powerful enemy.
Unless dsseaisn is prevented our strength must de-
part frcm our armies, and Jeseion can never be stop
ped while either through fa,se and mistaken symps-
Thy Or downright disoy ay, they receive sny count.
nance % pra,eciion q, home. therefore appeal 10
ell good citizens and true pnlots in the State 10 a..
sia INV ofrefs in srfesling deseries, and 10 frov
down oil those Who sid and assist them. Place Il.
brand upon them and make them feel the scorn an6
conlemp, Of an outraged people Unless the good arc
the patriotic al over the land arise az one man 10 a.,
rest this dangerous evil. !, will grow unit; our srms
is well nigh tuinel The dams er Of starvation has
| ing happily passed away--ihe approaching and AZ
psrenty bounleous harvest giving evidence OF amps
supplies for The coming ysar-our great army in VIZ.
ginia again jubilhni over mightyyietory- am vel.
assured that our danger now lies in the disorganiis
lion produced by desertiou. You con arrest il. nv
eornlrymen. Il YOU will but make vigoieus effor.
IL 700 will but bring 10 bear the weight Of greats
patriotic and uniied community ia aid Of your -.
/ lhofltIss.
In witness whereof. ZEBuLos YAssr,
Governor. Captain General and Commsn.
! der in Chief. hath signed these presents, and
caused the Grea, Seal Of State 10 be sffires
Done in he city Of Raleigh, this lth day Of May .
A. ID. isS3. 2. b. VANCE