The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-09-29
WHAT A WOMAN THINKS ABOUT
OFFICERS.

Confederate woman writes to the Floridian in
words that We cheerfuly aud cordially extract for
the benefit Of all readers:
It would be difficult for me 10 express in words
how much | honor and appreciate the sacrifees
sustained by the private soldier, who most truly
deserves the name Of patriot, and equally dfficuiL
to extress bow utterly despise and condemn the
would be great (as far 6ne clothes and
brass buttons make him, who, when in tho
psror, is hero in bravery, but when upon the
field OF battle is found (or truthfnlly speak
iug) rs not found al oil. -... s-.
May Heaven bless those officers who are ever
found with their men, sharing their privations, and
by their presence stimulating and encouraging
them, neither a~klng nor expecting the soldiers
under their command to 60 where they are not
willing to lead. - ..
The immortal Stonewall jackson, God bless his
memory, was such a man. He never was known
or seen to seek at hotel q comfortable room and
bed whilst bis foot-sore and weary soldiers
exposed to every inclemency OF the weather, with
no other protection than bis blanket No like
the brave iion-bea.ted hero that he was, when
camped for the night he too dhere, sharing
their campfire aud partaking of such fare as his
men did.
Officers such as he are the ones who the women
Of the South should lavish their smiles aud atten-
tion upon, aud by their presence encourage. 'Tis
not in the parlor, the brilliantly lighted ball.
room that the women Of the Coniederscy should
now be found. No. no.. my Southern sisters. now
in the hour Of trial aud sorest need--n0u is the
time that you can stimulate and encourage by
many little acts Of kindness aud atten-
tion which will Danish from the bosom of the
soldiers the truly despondent feeling that seems to
have taken almost entire control of portion of our
army. The heavy brunt OF battle is borne almost
entirely by the private; for 'tis to him you are
principally indebted for your present enjoyment of
home and all its joys, and he il is that you should
lavish those favors that you so thoughtlessly may
say. in all truth, heartlessly, bestow upon those
cowardly specimens of humanity who, by their
sickly sentimentalism and vain batteries, enchain
the'time and attention that you could go we'll be.
stow upon the private soldier, and such officers sa
are eprr found icih their mcn-oficers who, il
they do their duty, have time to bostow upon
the ladies, however much they may admire and
respect them; nor should the women Of the Con.
fedoracy expect il; rather should they encourage
such officers to attend TO their various duties,
which will prove all the lighter if sanctioned by
their cheering approval. IT'S with the poor
soldiers and officers above mentioned, my sisters
of the South, that you should share those deca-
cies and many luxures that you SO siuJuH.y waste
upon those who neither suffer or are in want Of
them.
There are another class Of people, called gentle
nien-heaven save the mark-wha- TO save their
is the first consideration,) will strenupusly en-
deavor to obtain some petty ofico, meekly obsery-
ing that such an Office mus! be filed. l never, in
all my life, heard Of as many aids, assistants and
deputies. Why not those men whose cousti-
tutioDs are shattered and whose hesths are feeble
placed in the above mentioned positions, and in
their stead the aforementioned aids, assistants
and deputies placed, who looked for oil the world
as though each one Of them could whip ten Yau-
kees for certainly never saw stronger, healthier
more abe-bodied, robust looking men. Per-
hsps ! may be termed extremely undesirable,
for some OF these robust men may be threatened
with apoplexy heart disease or the gout, eto, etc.
If such is the case, ofscourse beg their pardon,
and have nothing further to say, except that rO-
eret exceedingly that SO many fne-looGing gentle
men should be so terribly afflicted.
With reference TO the desertef. there Il mueh
know 10 extenuate the offence, when reflect upon
:hc treatment that some Of them receive. Noble
was the exGmple set by that mother (when her
only son. her pride and idol deserted from the
army, not being able TO overcome the intense de.
sire he had 10 visit the loved ones there,) who,
when she embraced her son, bads him 90 back TO
bis posi- at the same time pointing 10 the family
homestead, told him that the home Of bis fore.
fathers bad never yet sheltered the head OF a de.
serter. Such ao example should be followed by
every true-hearted Confederate woman.
To what cause do We owe ihe necessity Of re-
treating from Tullshoma? If rumor speaks cor
rectly, il says that those ia command such as
Colones, Majors and Captains, we're of from their
post, attending largo dinner and ball, given to
the Confederate officers by Uaiou party. a veri-
table trap, in which tbey-were fairly caught. Are
suci, men the ones for the women OF the South TO
lavish their smiles and attentions upon 7