The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-03-10

Daniel Ii. Hill, on assuming command OF the
troops in North Carolina:
HEADQUARTERS, GoLDsBoRo, N. C.,
February 25 1868.
The undersigned has been placed in charge of
the Troops in North Carolina. In assuming COM
mand he would address few words of exborta-
ton to his forces: ~
. SOLDIERS Your brutal and malignant enemy
is putting forth efforts unexampled IN the history
of the world. Having failed to subjugate you, he
is nladdened with the thirst for vengeance, aud is
pushing forward his foreign mereenaries to plum
der your property and lay waste your homes. But
his marauding hosts have been so often beaten aud
baified that they are now discouraged and demora-
lzed Should you be able to check them every
where for the next sixty days, the three hundred
thousand whose time expires in May, will not re-
enlist, and tie war will end before July. Should
the scoundrels however gain single substantial
success at any one point, the war will be prolonged
during the entire administration of Eincoln. 1t
becomes solemn duty then, to labor and tight
during the next two months, as We have never
done before. We must make the unpopular
with the mercenary vandals Of the North, by mar
RAISING and annoying them. We must cut down
to six feet by two, the dimensions of the farms
which these plunderers propose to appropriate.
You will have to endure more hardships, and to
fight more desperate battles, than you would have
done were your ranks filled Our cities, towns and
Villages, are full of young and able-bodied skull
kers, wearing the sembance of men, who have
lodged from the battle field under the provisions
Of the exemption bill The scorn of the fair sex,
and the contempt Of honorable men, have not been
able to drive these cowardly miscreants into the
ranks. So long as they can fatten upon the mise
ries of the country, and shelter their worthless
carcasses from Yankee bullets, they insensible
to shame But day of retribution awaits these
abortions Of humanity. Their own descendants
will execrate their memory, when the finger OF
scorn is pointed and the taunt is uttered, "he as
tie son, or grand-son, or greot-gra"d-so", Of a"
exempt and crtortioner.
Do your full duty, soldiers, and leave these pol
troons and williams to the execration OF posteFity.
All commanding officers are hereby enjoined to
furnish the names of officers and men, who distin-
yuish themselves in pitched battles and skrmish-
! es. Those so distinguishing themselves, will be
recommended for promotion, and their names
published in the principal papers of their respec-
tive States
The Infantry have to bear the brunt of the battle,
and to endure special hardships in every cam
paign. The post Of danger and suffering is the
post of honor: If our liberty be ever won it will
be due mainly to the ndomnitable pluck and stur-
DIV endurance of our herioc Infantry.
The Confederate Artillery has behaved nobly,
and the wonder u.s. that with inferior guns and
ammunition, it has been able to cope successfully
| with the splendid armament Of the enemy. 1t
mas been mistake, however, to contend with the
Yankee Artillery. Reserve your fire, as at Frcde-
rcksburg for the masses of Infantry, and do not
Withdraw your guns just when they are becomin 4
effective. 1t is glorious to lose guns by fighting
them to the last. Il is disgracctul to save them
by retiring early from the fight.
The Cavalry constitutes the eyes and ears of the
army. The safety Of the entire command depends
upon their vigilance, and the faithfuness of their
reports. The officers and men, who permit them
selves to be surprised, deserve to die, and the
Commanding General will spare efforts to secure
them their deserts. Almost equally criminal are
the scouts, who through fright, bring in wild and
sensational reports. They will be court n,artialed
for cowardice.
Many opportunities will be- afforded to the Cav
airy to harrass the enemy, cut off his supplies,
drive in his pckets, &c. Those who have never
been in battle, will thus be enabled to enjoy the
novel sensation of lisetning to the sound of hostile
shot and shell, and those who have listened great
way oil, will be allowed to come some miles nearer,
and compare the sensation caused by the distant
cannonade with that produced by the rattle of
musketry. ID. Fl. HILL,
Major General.