Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-05-28
A PROCLAMATION.

nv
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAs, have learned with great pain that. there
ranks of gallant army and that there are many persons
the country who nce and encourage these distortions
stead Of encouraging them to return to duty:
the State North Carolina issue this nv Vi
commanding all such evil disposed persons TO desst from
Ecn 1Ssg fowardy and Reasonable conduct and warning
puns ment IN the civil courts of the Confederacy as well
as to the everlasting contempt and deestation of all good
Certainly crime be greater no cowardice moro
abject base, than for citizen of the
State, enjoying its privileges and protection without har
ing lis dangers persuade those who have had the cour-
age go tn in defence of their country vey to desert
the colors which they have uphold when amer
able death vile and gnomnious existence must be
father or the brother who should be shot instead Of
his deuded victim for be deliberately destroys the soul
done by who harbors and conceals the deserter-
Forwho can respect either the the other What
honest man VIII ever wish or permit his own brave sons or
patriotic daughters VINO bore their parts with credit in
this great struggle for Independence to associate
to the thrd ana lourth generations with the vile wretch
who skuked in the woods or tie still Vler coward who
aided him, while lis bleeding country was calling in
Vala for his help ? both are enemles-dangerous en-
emes to their country before whom our open foes will be
infinitely preferred Both fees to their kindred
and nooie coqntrymen who are elecifyng the world by
their gallant deeds ald pouring their blood upon the
the vas of our strength And woe unto you desertes
your aders and aoettors when being made and
indie pendeace secured these brave comrades whom ye
have deserted il the hour or their trial shall return hon
ored and triumphant their homes Ye that hide your
/ "
robbng mothers of your noble defenders Of
their little MEANS while they far away facing the enc
geance when the dayot reckoning comesE And ye that
shelter conceal and feed these miserable depredators and
stimulate them to their Deeds think you that ye will be
spared? Nay assured observing and never failing
eyes have marked YOU every one and when the oyeroy
| ed wife welcomes her brave and honored huE
band his home and tells him how in the long years Of
absence the lonely hours Of the night ye who had
his comrades rudey entered her house. robbed her
her children Of their Bread and heaped Insult ana
igntes upon her eenceess head the wrath of that he
rOlCh hush Wi
cowardy terror that you ever born Instead Oh Few
scattered militia the land will be full of veteran soldiers
before whose honest you will not have courage to
your eyes the earth. Ii permitted 20 Ye IN the
State all, you will be Infamous. You will be hustled
from polls nsued in the Streets jury Of your coun-
rymen will believe you oath, and honest men every
where will shun you pestilence; for he VINO JACKS
courage and patriotism have other good quality or
redeemng virtue Though MANY Of you rejected the par
to promiIe it, yet assured that man VIII be shot
who shall voluntarily return to duty Lhis Is the only
chance to redeem yourselves from the 0"~
mny which you are Incurrlpg. -. -,
glorious victory has been won but seEeraI
our soldiers fell in achieving 1t for u.s. Every man s neeo
replace the gallant dead and preserve an unbrokel
front to our still poWerluL enemy Dhess uesSiiol 70
vented strength ust depart from cur armes ana de-
serton be stopped while either through talse
and mistaken sympathy or doWhElgnt bSF
ceiye any cOunenaGce protection at home lherelots
appeal all good citizens and true patriots IN the STATE
assist my officers IN @TIe5ng deseIgIs, aHt W d
all who aid and assist them Place the pIahd uPol
them feel the and contempt OF an out
ragged people Unless good and the patriotic all oVe
the land to arrest this dangerous eVl
may grow until army IS well nlgh ruined. Inc uanse
OF starvation having happily passed awayhe approach
IN, and apparently bouneOus harvest giving evidence
ample supplies for the coming yeaour great army IN VIZ
gina again jubilant mighty victory am wen as
nred tat our danger now lies the Reorganization pro
du6ed By desertion You arrest it, my country men,
Won will but make vigorous effort if you will but bring
bear the weight of great, patriotic and united commu
nifty in aid OF your authorities. ~,
! - In witness whereof, ZEBULON B. VANCE, Cover
{ nor, Captain General and Commander IN Che
as hath signed these pFeseLts and caused the BreH
/ - seal OF the state to be affixed. 49, -
Done at the City Of Raleigh, this llth day Of May A.
1868. a. D. NANOH'
J BY the Governor
z. Il. BATTLE, il,
Private Secretary.
EavIs 1874 l8G.6t-34-2t