Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-24

number who leave Camp without authority are
shirkers, and deserve but Little sympathy but there
doubt but that many soldiers induced to leave
their Regiments by letters which they received from
their friends and those at home, stating, probably.
that the soldiers business arrangements are suffer ng
account of his Absence and many other reasons are
urged why he should make effort to get home /;
in some stating that the family is suffering for
the necessares of lite. The soldier meditating upon
these things magnifes the distresses of his family
until he becomes reckless He leaves Camp for his
home at the very time his services most needed In
the field, fearing that Instantly know that he is
of their condition if he does not at once make
arrans for their comfortable support they will
think him insensible to the wants of those who are
dearer to him than life ITSELF and hoping that his
friends and neighbors will attribute his neglect of duty
to his country under these circumstances, his de-
votedness to his family. How he regrets his course
when he returns Camp, and finds that his improper
absence deprives him of all pay Tor the time he
absent, besides several months pay forfeited fine
imposed by Court Martial Then it is that he real
ICES that the good soldier Isl practically, the who
loves his family most, he remains at his post of du
y, draws all his pay, and send it to his family
Or it may be that the man while absent, is arrested
and returned to Camp, tried for desertion and con-
uemueu 10 De executed " now Dllerly does ne then
repent of his course What would he then give to be
able to leave the of good soldier alegacy to
his family instead of disgraceful life, ignomnous
death, the influences ofwhich his family have to suf
fer for several generations There other soldiers
good and true who entered the service with the de-
termination do their whole duty to their country
and are still determined act and not to leave
their post without proter authority, for any cause
wi n these the nj
letters referred above fright that they should
be thus tempted and perplexed? appeal to the
fr ends and families of such to spare them those
anxious, harassng cares: tuey have enough TO bear
without having the idea that their families suffer
ing continually weighed upon their spirits Let those
no suffering, appeal to those in authority, in
duential men in their neighborhoods, to any-every
body but in the name of humanity spare those noble
men who are willing to endure everything, and who
are offering up their lives upon the field of battle,
-acrifce to liberty, that those who dear to
may enjoy the blessings they purchase with their
olood
1t is clearly the duty of the weather. citizens ey
,ry community to inquire into the matter and know
hat the family of soldier suffers for the
les of life because of his absence in Camp. 1 bave
ause to believe that there is but little, if any suffer
ng, among the families of the soldiers of Augusta
ounty especially since the Ladies have devoted them
elves with much zeal and energy to providing for
he wants of the soldiers families. c
But, from what know of the letters that were re-
eived in different portions of the Army last Summer
Ind Fall, 1 am satisfied that many suffered the
,enaity of improper absence from Camp, owing the
MD aences of letters received from their homes Ho-
,ing that may have the sad intelligence that
soldier Augusta county has been shot for deserion
remain Il
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