The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1863-12-05
sTRAGGLERS

The number of nlen--o6scers and privates--
&ho can be classed under the disgracef,li head
ing above ii astenishingly great Many plans
tor asigmenting the armies of the Confederacy
have been snbrnitsed to. and discussed BIZ, the
public Put every man into the fieidH' Is the
cry Of the ever patriotic press, and thespaeple
and army respond byappeai upon appeal ta Gon-
Y eress to s.put every nlnto the field No one
who will give the subject the reelection due it's
weighsy character will faiI To- discover its press
inc. necessity But there Is aneflier matter that
sesia.roarhes upon our consideration OF all the
evils from which our armies are suffering that of
straprling IS the most notorious and ruinous.
Indeed its magnitude must appal every trne
friend of the cause of independence. Were II
mon the decrease, some consolation would be
afforded, but we see no evidence that suchis the
case. sH
Il i estimated chat If all The men whose names
are now upon the muster rolls Of the army were
III sfhe feid, peace could be conquered within
S;sx months Speaking upon this subject kieh-
fnonds contemporary shows by the figures that
General Lee had only onedonrth of his army q t
ssiarpsblalg, from the fact that the remaining
three-fonrtlls were struggling Or absent without
leave. Had be but had another fourth upon that
is,1rortant day. lii is apodctical that series OF
airaratic results would have followed the over
waelming defeat of the Northern army,
# These r,e d. are not poitroons It IS not from
fear Of the hazards o battle taat they are guilty
spf this crying effense. The spirit that bads fnenl
ss,,.t1se ts cause uf their country, atthe earliest
,,a,r ,f her reri would also bid them be present
when the gage III battle Is lifted. We attribute
II Va causes entrey foreign to craven
1T ii & want Of discipline and certain degree OF
enthusiasm, which ia Necessary to render men
savnae vasissaat, and without which the greatest
number of the bravest men are but torpid mass
The remedy III as simple as the disease is vio-s
Ieilt aid II lies ritIiin the officers To apply it,
Generals ars needed ws:o are sufficiently cora-
sllInraate Ia their to their own
tfnops: men who cs,u win the conhdence, love
and fear of their commands 20 such degree
tlsas d brief address will be allsnthcient to en-
kindle within them ain ardur and enthusiasm that
viii tlleiaa I'd, deeds of lnexauplea mar
Till prossi.s. and 1T tho sane time throw so mach
honor and glory into the profess Of arfns chat
pride alone win be asi tnsaruo rtable barrier ~
she dislloiorahI TIL practice of tragging.
= Much t1o depenls upon the people TO correct
tlxi fafai evil Ihsgt Is, shere can bs, do yindi-
sasits for sal wis negIesx the most solemn du-
iii they owe 10 kild and absent themselves
flon their p0st lit 4 isis thu one trafspirsng
The people u sIie 81 a1tf should view with re-
lentless asid undsga 'aisa1f frobatosa any ats
ten,t,t uppn the fsar 0f ally man, svhnse health
ma H. eau hiri nsto seryi:e; d shirk lie l.sty
Ise owes His xative land 10 aelisre great objects
Ms nlssE nerve uggss gYes o per arfn aehDns that
under ordinary eiscufHsta nces ste would tihu Ie
ptgna1t Id dur sense Dc liospif.aisy and hpn0r 4
The undergraduates of this lcolin sry mast not bel
placed III tile scales ssish ihe pnt ttY and
events of lilb Our al bslaig sAased iiRuai sLfl
issue, ~ should aet hasIaf t0 Gca ~hai
to secure lie oher.. alsrias1H ltlSss. Glas ioH.
r. - 4l- Nsal
sxs Eicftv thousand men have deseTtfd 'ffrors'i
csty ss NH ;es---ssrs 4 sszv YeYS iarynal