Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-04-03
CAMP % n. G. TRooPs.

your numerous readers in the Old North State
would like to hear from the army OF the Rappahan-
mock, have concluded to write you short letter,
relative to matters and things generally in this To-
caiity. Every thing is quiet along the line. Our
plcEets malptan qnet possession OF one side OF the
river, and the enemys lines extend along the Oppo-
site banks-and the river being narrow, you must
know they are very near together. The Yankees
seem very DESTROYS to talk to boys, but We are
compelled 10 turn the cold shoulder to them, as we
are ordered to observe the strictest silence few
days ago, q considerable force Of the enemy, con-
SiStipg mostly Of cavalry and artillery, attempted
to effect q crossing at Kellys Ford, Oh the upper
Rappahannock. They were met by detachment
of cavalry and horse artillery from Gen. Stuart's
command, and were repulsed with some loss-
Their object, it seems, was to obtain supplies Tor
themselves and forage for their horses, but they
made most signal failure
We have been expecting a fight here for some
time but the recent heavy fall of snow will impede
the progress of Fighting joe for several days to
come. Whenever he does come over, he will meet
with fate similar to that of his crest fallen pred
eceSssr and he too like Burnside, will be laid up
the shelf in solitude aud alone to- feed upon his
! own gloomy thoughts and to mourn over departed
| greatness which can never again be his. Most
| truly may he then exclaim, sic transit gLdTtd
! mUndi" | visited the old town of fredericksburg
short time since, in which two brgadeS in par
ticular, distinguished themselves (BarksdaleS, OF
! Miss, and CObbs of Georgia. in the fight last De-
cember. 1t was there that the gallant Cobb fell,
| urging his on with his last breath. Well may
Georgia mourn the loss of 50 noble, so patriotic
son for a nobler heart than his never beat re-
sponsive to his country s CALI There were others
! of humber place, who did deeds rendering them
worthy of fame as enduring as PosteIity ltSeli
but following the general course they must be
overlooked make room on history 5 page Tor the
starred and epauetted few, whom circumstances IN
most cases, and not merit have rendered their su-
! periors IN rank But, we thank Y"4, Mr.. Editor,
, for your sympathy with the private soldier, and
hope that you will give little space in your val
liable paper TO represent his claims, and make
! known to your many readers SONG OF the linpo
sitions to which he is Subjeccd-for no paper IN the
/ South has dared TO take 50 bold stand IN
! favor of the poor man and the private soldier as
you have and such a course, Mr. Editor has Sc
cured TO you the respect, and, may say, the alice
ton of many private soldier. in the army, and It
is gratifying TO Us to know that i'll our favor We
have so able advocate.
Il is humiliating to man Of education, inte-
gence and refinement to feel that he ia commanded
ty men who not only his interiors in education
and knowledge of military matters, but wanting
. in the gentlemanly principle so requisite IN men
/ appointed to govern and control Others, who are
their equals, and perhaps their superiors IN every
! thing but rank. Yet such is often the case. Men
who were never known beyond the narrow limits
of their own homes, and who hardly morally
| constituted so govern plantation Of negroes
properly, arc, through the influence OF commanding
officers, appointed to command men Ot whom they
! know nothing, aud who know nothing Of them;
/ and such men, l have observed, generally become
the greatest tyrantS, and select speci"i objects
of their tyranny those Fen under their command
who have been favored with more general intel'-
! gence AMI better education than they possess
Such men they always select To impose the most
degrading punishmentS upon, striving by every
means in their power TO destroy their sell respect
81. .IFp 4 hat
those very men have done their whole duty in every
: battle and have rendered themselves worthy Of
high positions and if slain wOHid have bathed com
muntles in tears, while the officers OF whom have
spoken, skulked GGDm the field like scared hounds,
and hid their worthless carcaSes behind trees and
stumpS Some snch am sorry 10 say, We have
! in our regiment. One hero know who rushed
to the rear during the battle of Malvern llil aud
! on being eXpoStulated with by wounded officer,
his inferior III rank, replied, "Oh, it's Use our
army is all cut 10 pieces" | have this very
officer beat private soldier with his sword when
there was but little danger, because ne suspected
him Of being COwardly. This is not all. Alter
having shrkpd the battles IN Maryland, he was
heard to say on the march to GOrd0nS lille from
the Valley that he had disobeyed strict order in
the hope of being dropped, as that was his only
means of getting opt OF the service. There are
other things could mention in the military history
of this hero but will leave him TO enjoy the con-
tempt OF his company, whom know to be com
pan" of high-minded, honorable men-his equals
| in education, his superiors in society We have
always thought that military laws were so framed
as to administer justice impartially to all. If such
is the case the laws have been distegarded, for Of
cers have been dropped for single instances OF dis
graceful conduct while others have been allowed TO
| remain who have never attempted to do their duty
| in a single instance This GLASS may be generally
recognized by their naughty deportment-and, if
on drill, can occasionally be heard to threaten
,I,,r l.;
who is ignorant of military manoeuvres as he is
/ of military laws.
! One officer, know who has never yet been near
enough to the battle field to smell the smoke Of
! gun powder, who, when on drill, where he knows
the private soldier has not the privilege of
tort, is continually threatening to dye the blade of
his blood guiltess sword III the blood Of poor
fellow, whom nature has constituted as to render
him incapable of learning fast others But it
will not do to dwell too long this matter; there
is another subject would like To notice, before
cudirg
! AG3S me to inqlire,. Mr.. Editor, what we are
4, fighting for. My humble opinion is, that we have
been fighting for the establishment of a republican
form Of government, independent of the NAL admin
istered republic of the United States; that violated
| rights and a continued system Of imposition had
driven to this course and that in the successful
establishment of this government, all classes of So
cety have intereSt-the rich slave owner as great
if not greater interest than the poor man, who
does not negro in the world, for, If defeated
they must be the losers of species of property al
most Wholly unposseSsed by the poor man. Now,
if such be the case, Sir why is it that the repreSen
tatiVsS of nations wisdom, have created law ex-
empting from the tolls and hardShips Of the war,
the very class who are the owners of this spe-
! cies OF property :. Do they intend to establish
among Us an sristocracy, consisting of the owners
of this species Of property, and then exempt them
from doing anything in defence Of the ownership of
this very property? Oar ancestors look upon the
first Congress Of the United States with veneration
imagine, Sir, that poserty will look with equally
as much disgust and contempt on the first Congress
! of the Confederate States
Contrast for a moment Mr. Editor, the fate of
| fheca fr-nn ln of h. rln