The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-02-10
TO THE PEOPLE
Of Northern and Northeastern Georgia and
Southwestern North Carolina.


HEADQUARTERS, DAHLoNEGA GA,
January Goth, 1868
GENERAL ORDER, No l.
The General Commanding this Department,
having been reliably informed that there are a
number of deserters tories and conscr pts resisting
the laws in Northern and North eastern Georgia,
andin Southwestern North Carolina, has dispatch
ed a force under my command to suppress any
insurrectionary movements, to capture deserters,
and generally to restore tranquility to this part of
the country.
This I desire to do "peaceably if l can, forcibly
if must" But whilst [ am fully prepared to car
ry out the orders of the Commanding General at
the point of the bayonet-having we'll disciplin-
ed, thoroughly equipped and provided force under
my command, yet, I AIN clothed with plenary pew
ers to offer such conditions as may prove conciiia
tory and insure peaceful return to duty of every
man now occupying hostile attitude to the Gov
eminent. And | shall pursue the latter course if
| am co-operateG with.
[ hereby desire to assure all malcontents, that if
they will report to me at these Head Quarters
within ten days that [ am authorized to put them
into companies, battalions and reg ments upon the
coast that are not filed up to the maximum num-
Der, or to organize them into additional companies
for the post at Atlanta.
In all cases, where they have not rendered them
selves obnoxious to the charge of having perpetra-
Confederacy, a free and full pardon aciW be gran
ted.
If, on the other hand these malcontents persist
in arrayng themselves against the laws Of the land
and continue in open treason, [ will pursue them
into their Businesses, and use all the power and
means at my control, to arrest and bring then, to
condagm punishment. My men will be ordered to
fire upon them, and at all hazards to capture the
last man, until this reasonable movement is COM
pletely suppressed.
l appeal to you all to close in with the over
lures of offered amnesty, and array yourselves un-
der the banner of your country, to rally to her
support in her hour of need and to prove the
Southern blood that flows through your VEINS
by upholding the authorities of your country
by repel!ing the rapacous invaders of your soil
by pushing on the of revolution to its de-
stlncd ultimate success-that future generations
may inscribe your honored names upon the roll
OF the noble and patriotic defenders of liberty
and that you may bequeath to your children
name 20 cherish, of which they shall be proud to
the latest posterity-and not memento of shame
aud disgrace
1t will be fruitless attempt to war against the
Government, and must result 10 the most disastrous
defeat to all who may be so deluded as to atemptit.
The late victories in Virginia, Tennessee and
mississippi, have most triumphantly established
the fact that the arms of the Southern Confederacy
Will be crowned VIII success in the end.
The country is much better prepared at this
time than at the commencement of the war, both
in arms and men to contend successfully with our
enemies abroad and put down treason at home.
Earnestly anxious for the good of the people of
this section, and 1eeling as we all should do,
profound solictude for the welfare of the Govern
ment IN its hour of peril, | constrained to
urge you to accept the terms now offer you. 1
am authorized to pay each man mustered into
service, bounty and commutatien money the same
as all other soldiers who have been or may be
mustered regularly into service.
Enrolling Officers, and all good Citizens,
requested to aid in carrying out the objects
prompt assistance should it in any case be
necessary G. W. LEE, Comdg