Washington telegraph., 1863-11-25

-DEPREDATIoNs.-The MANY acts of destruc
uoh OF valuable stock. of petty thievery an,
~ahton insults to families, which are dali,
uanspring around us, have become a nuisanc
amos, ih'olerabie We hope the soldiers ar
not guilty OF all this, but OF a good nort;o,
they certainly are. Our citizens have be-,
generally inclined to make Charitable allow
ances. Partly from sense of their ut,a,
heipiessness, and fear of worse to each man,
sen, put mostly, we think. from q feelipg u
Palrio'ism, ana commendable desire to n,
serve harmony between soldie, and c;,iran
lney nave con ntinued to endure and overlook
we are assured, too, of our own kpowledg.
'ha' an 'he superior officers and most of ths
eroord'ho*s are mortified with the occurrence
% a' e" "o's' ana are making the most strenu-
GUS EFFORTS to restrain them. We are nroud -
oeiieve also that the large majority of rank
ana hie have the feelings and c6ivalrv of trua
soidiers, and regret that the conduct of n few
-oose men should compromise the character Of
thelr company or corps. They have our svm.
pathy, and we would not willingly admit sncb
mlsconstruction.
AS many of these depredations are commit
tea perhaps by young men who are thought
less, or older ones who mistake the true rirbts
and obligations of the soldier. we make tbis
femonstrance, in cooperation with the efforts
OF the officers, hoping it may reach the notice
of some disposed to these acts, and cause them
to pause and reflect.
IL may sometimes happen in an enemy's
country, or passing through n region where we
have no organized means of providing our SOL
tiers, that the taking of articles of food. for
age and clothing may be necessary, and there
fore proper. In our own lines, amongst our
own people, such a thing is never necessary
or Jusuhable. We have commissaries and
quartermasters for all those purposes. who
have annie mar of n,l,. a..
soldier requires, and who are bound TO do so
They may impress if they cannot purchase
They may thus, in "a legal manner compel the
citizens to furnish the wants Of the army
There is no excuse for stealing articles of con-
nenicnce and necessity, much less articles Of
luxury. There is at no time nor place any
excuse for wanton insults to families, whether
OF TRENDS or foes. There is something in the
character of the true soldier of the South,
which, in subsequent yes viii be, and alreaG >
is, the subject of the loftiest admiration. Ii
combines with the most devoted heroism and
u-daunted bravery, all those qualities Of hon.
or, which gave to the chevalier Bayard the
soubriquet of ''sans peur ct sans reproche"-
1t implies protection to families, kindness tc
the weak, regard for the rights of all, ant
above all, obedience to the laws and orders O
superiors. IL is o lofty model, aid those whc
aim IT 1t, will not fail IN their high pitched
fight.
1t will be a poor record, however, for am
one to have, that he assumed the character D
soldier of the South, and fought bravely
too in order to furnish himself license 4
steal and rob, and insult the unprotected citi
zen Such will not be honored highly in his
tory-nor ought not
Such acts, continued and unrestrained, vii
do more to dissatisfy citizens with tn
war. than the loss of battles. The wiley enc
my knows this well, and are even now MAXIM
the contrast between the conduct, toward
the citizens. of the Federal and Confederat
troops. OF course no true patriot or refectn
man will allow such things to influence Iii
feelings towards the great cause But alas
some are not quite true, and very many ar
unrehecting.
We sincerely hope that each soldier who see
this will put the question to himself and de
termine how he may best give lustre to hi
own services in the cause, and at the sam
time support the patriotism of -thers. IL
very important to himself and his country.
The planter or farmer whose hogs and othe
stock are wantonly wasted and destroyed.
left without further means of supp rting th
armies. If the practice were general, desUlc
tion would follow, and succeeding year b
hold our subjugation.
There is another aspect of this matter,
trifing importance, but which will appeal
every true soldiers heart The luxuries of II
poultry yard and garden are not sufficient 4
the army. Those who strong and heart
can do without them. All these supplies a
indispensable for the hospitals, and Will
families have them they can generally he pr
cured Many a chicken and turkey taken
wanton frolic, and devoured in selfish gree
may deprive some poor languissing soldier y
from home, Of the only sort of nu;rinent prop
to sustain his life We know a near i2stan
of this. We know one lady land hear of MAI
pthers) whose house since the beginning of q
war has been an asylum for sick soldiers, a.
who has been almost in the daily habit
cooking and preparing delicacies for the si
at the hospitals. Her poultry has been
Gently sbamefully and openly robbed from h
by men in stalwart health.
We hope no good soldier will think this I
rected towards himself. 1t is in cooperate
with his wishes, and to sustain his officers
their laudable desire TO improve the tone Of {
army and sustain the resources of the countI
And we hope that NJ good citizen will all
himself to cherish the memory Of petty wron
The feeling is dangerous to patriotism. Cl
Zen aud soldier should act in harmony, a
all be devoted to the success of our cause abb
all other considerations. r