Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-04-07
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

CAMP Sd ". c. INFANTRY, STATE TRocPs,
Esar Fredericksburg Va, Mar %, '63.
Editor R0ei1h Standards
DEAR SIR:-F0r the accommodation edifcatiOn,
&c. of your occasional readers in this department
Of the army, you will please give your understand
ing of the conScript law, applied, about TO be
applied to officers who may perchance resign their
positions IT. the Confederate States army. was
Informed to-day, that in the division Of Gen. A. p.
Hill enrolling officer had been appOntedin order
10 "conscript any officer or officers who might be
dismissed from the service by sentence of court
martial or who should Internationally resign
There may be some error in this information i'm
parted, but should it prove true, -methinks it is
without q parallel in history for assumption Of
rightCG prescription of right, and total disregard
ior the constitutional liberties Of people who claim
10 be free few days since, the papers announced
the fact that the resignation Of Gen. GuStavus w
Smith had been accepted | would beg leave TO
ssE if you think it probable that Gen.. Smith will
tie conscripted? To show the gross injustice prac
iced upon the substeTns Of the army, would men,
ton the fact that an officer q this giment ten
.ercd lin due form his resignation, endorsed by the
commanding officer Of the regiment as follows
This officer has an immense negro property, which,
if not cared for Immediately, must consequently be
lost forever" The brigade commander approved and
forwarded respectfully the division commander
recommended 'furlough for 80 days, if discharge
would not be beneficial to the service" and for
warded. The army corps commander approved
for 80 days furlough," and, by order of Gen. Lee
returned, endorsed approved" Thus this officer
sfter making two attempts to resign honorably, one
rendered some month ago, is compelled to absent
himself, (his business, negroes, &C. would do this,)
so that he may be dropped from the Roster Of Of
fccrs" In the event he does not return, business
transacted or not) by the time the furlough ex-
pireS, he will be recommended TO be dropped. 1t
Will be done, and this is the only way an officer
S,Ibaltern mean-can honOrably leave the Confed-
crate army Was such gross injustice ever before
practiced in any army? If an officer wishes to re-
Sigu-snd none can deny him the right to do So
It is not matter of concern or interest to General
Anybody. When he resigns, he may return home
if then he is conscripted it is his own misfortune
That army which is bound together by orders, dis
regardful of law and right, q speak of compelling
officer to remain in the army or conscriptng him
as he resigns) is of no effect when brought
in contact with opposing forces, where unanimity
of feeling, independence, and State or other pride
Ipey exist. If an officer has not the right to re-
sign he has not the right to accept appointment,
nor hold commission If by accepting this mess
of pottage, "a commsSion) sell our birthrght,
then must say that deception has been, is now,
G:d ever will be practiced upon those whose meri-
t0rious conduct, &c. has gained them appointments,
and who would prefer the ranks, with slavery, an
established fact, to the tnseed deception of a COM
mission, with freedom-or more liberty at least,
always in perspective. What think you of tbs
matter in question: c.