Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-08-19
Latter. from soldiers, wives.

- 49, ~.
Letters from SoldieYs' Wives.
We make the following extract from letter d.
ted Salem Church, Randolph County, North Caro-
lima: -
Your paper, and yours alone speaks the true
sentiments osevery woman in this community, and
as for the men, alas we have but few to speak. In
the name Of al that is dear, what do our authori-
Ties mean - Our soldiers have been fighting
for liberty until we have lost liberty at home Ny
husband is in the army, and was wounded at Get
tysburg.npt MORALLY, I hope-but would not
have bad bis face disgured for all that was gained
by the invasion. Myaittle children and have
worked hard this summer-far beyond our strength
-and if we could be ALLOWED to keep what we will
make, We could do witdVk. But the Presidents
mipions will be along soon, and then there goes
one tenth Of our hard labor. The prayer is going
up from every family of helpless women and chill
dren in this community for peace Go on, Sir, in
your Heavenly mission. If our authorities are bent
on calling out all our men to be exterminated, then
in that case it would be mercy on thousands OF
women and children to detail men to kill them for,
deprived Of our natural protectors we desire to live
no longer" az
Our lady friend is overcome by her troubles, and
is, therefore, very respondent Her case is .
hard one, but thousands are in . similar, or
the Southern people to lay down their arms and cry
for peace; but they should fight and talk for peace
at the sams time While the two governments are
engaged IN the conflict let the people Of the SOW
ereigu Statk 10 both sections, who made the gov:
ernments gee If something cannot be done to estab-
lish peace on 4 just and proper basis. The South
people and the Southern soldiers must preserve
<b.:~ ~. III A. ,bo ~
to lose their honor and their sefrespect their enc
mics will trample them down and ruin them forever.
The following extract is from letter written by
a lady IN Chatham County:
. KNOWING you, Mr. Editor, to be the soldiers
FRIEND ask you one simple question: Did not Gov.
Vance say expressly tina: all soldiers wives should
have their support from the government My
husband went to the war over twelve months ago
in conscript's place. but he volunteered before en-
tering the service. We have to pay the highest
were entirely destroyed by hogs; and my little son
was trying to raise some corr, when suddenly our
only horse died. Our farm, for want Of my hus-
bands care is fast gong to ruin. reluctantly ap-
piled to the man who deals out provisions to the
poor soldiers wives and he gave me such snappish
answer that it chilled my blood. He SAID he never
heard of such q thing as substitutes wife drawing
any thing l told him my husband was volun-
teer, and was now in his place. as he is not 40
I told him must staroe unless got help, and that
l would write to the Governor for relief He said
the Governor had nothing to do with it, but at last
remarked If another one of the committee would
say vas entitled to my support, should have it.
This was last month, and ] have not heard from
him since, though he is my nearest neighbor
suppress his name. request you las you are the
only person that know Of in the wide wide world
that can appeal to, though do not know you
personality to ask theGovernor if am entitled to
my support as my strong arm is now far away,
fighting for this very man who is staying at home
to take care of soldiers wives and families. Please
give speedy answer by mail, or in the next num-
Der Of your paper"
In reply, we take pleasure in saying to this sol.
diers wife, that she Is entitled to her support as
her husband volunteered and is now filling his own
place in the army, and is not substitute. This is
the opinion of the Governor, who takes deep in.
terest in tbe.families of the soldiers But we 60
further and say that the discrimination against the
families of substitutes is ungenerous and unjust
No distinction should be made between the families
of our soldiers who are in need. They are all
engaged in the same cause and they are all peril
ling their lives for the country. Their wages per
month will aot more than suffice to halfsole their
shoes and buy them pair of socks; and while they
are receiving almost nothing for their services,
it is the duty of those'who are living in compare.
tive ease at home, to see that their families do not
suffer.