Smyrna times., 1863-07-02
Our Duty.

The calling away of the Sixth Regiment
(Home Guards occurred at tim9 when
its members, particularly those engaged in ag-
ricultural pursuits, were least prepared to leave
home. Many of them expected to harvest
their grain this week, while others had already
commenced. On some farms not laborer is
left-all have responded to the call and gone
to the defence of our own, and sister States
Though enlisted as Home Guards we did not
hear one object to going anywhere the govern
ment might order They have gone beyond our
lines, believing it to be better to defend our
little State upon Maryland or Pennsylvania
soil, rather than the foe should come in our
midst and visit our homes and property with
the withering effects of war. They have gone
that we at home may still enjoy peace and quiet
that our business may still be attended to as
heretofore. Some have left their farms with
their grain ready for the sickle, others have
closed their shops and for the time suspended
business, while there are others who have gone
without making proper provision for their fam
lies. 1t is for the safety Of our property as
well as their own that these sacrifices have been
made. 1t is we alone Immediately benefited
by their going. While they have been called
from their different pursuits, we in security
can remain at home and harvest our crops, at
tend to our stores and work at our respective
cangs. This being the case it becomes our
imperative duty to assist our absent neighbor
by making it Our business to see that he loses
nothing in leaving his home. Let the farmers
aroanl gather the ripening crops of those gone,
while gathering their own. All will have some
time to spare, let it be employed in work of
this kind. Many have gone who in the pres
ent ripening grain look for a reward for their
labor, and great indeed would be their loss II
we should fail to harvest it. So short was the
notice that scarcely any one had time to ar
range his businesS-it was drop all and fly to
the ranks. This alacrity must be rewarded,
and how can we better show our appreciation
Oft than by giving our voluntary assistance
wherever needed. Such action on our par
would be the greatest encouragement to ou
absent friends. While satisfied that those a
home are deing all in their power to assist then
and their families, they will cheerfully bea
with the hardshps and privations of soldie
life, and ask not TO come home till the emer
gency which has called them out shall no long
exist. This may not be the last time durin
the war that Delaware will be threteaned wit
invasion by the armed traitors of our country
As we at home discharge our duty at this tim
so shall we be rewarded if the danger shoul'
again exist. Should we neglect the families o
urgent work Of those gone at this time, W
should find it difficult to again get men TO leav
their homes, and should probably be made
feel within our own borders, some of the hoi
rors that Virginia and other border States hay
for two years been suffering. But If true to tf
duty now deyolving upon us no such fears nee
he entertained. With such friends to lea,
becind them, when our country calls, Delaware
Seas will go forth to battle, and sustain h
Eroud reputation upon any and all occasion
Let as all then resolve to do something, let
be in the harvest field, in the shop or behn
the counter. And while thus laboring let
not lose sight of those Ga miles for whom g
per provision could not be made by their hea
before leaving home, IF any should want,
their wants be supplied, for never should '
allow 1t to be said that we permitted the fan
OF one soldier to suffer while we h
plenty, and he was fighting our battles for l
LII thus our duty be discharged we can W.
come our friends back with the proud cons
BUSINESS, that while they they were driving O
common foe back to his abode, we we're 81
plying their places at home