Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-04-03
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
HEADQUARTERS 61sT Rear. \. c. T.,
JAMES ISLAND, Near CHARLESTON, s. C.,
March "a, 1868.


March "a, 1868.
Mr.. EpIroR:-The life of a soldier is any thing
bnt an easy and pleasant one There has Ottcr.-
times. however great complaint been made of an
Imaginary character, bat as a general thing, our
noble Soldiery have endured every hardship, and
borne every privation without murmur, and with
apparent cheerfulnesS. In this way, as much aC in
any other, they have shown their patriotism and
devotion to our common cause.
respectfully ask space in your paper to speak
few words in behalf Of the soldier. He should
have more and truer friends than he has. The gov
ernment should do for him, and do it speedily.
The soldier has to look for his own protection in
sll the rights, privileges, and allowances, granted
linn by the regulations, to his commanding officer.
He stands as his legal representative, and if faithful
To the trust confided to him. he has hut little time
n spend in idleness. There is always something
10 look after, something to be done.
My company at present numbers eighty-iVe In
the past six months, out Of nineteen who have died
and been killed, twelve Of them were married men.
They have left behind widows and children, many
If whom are thrown entirely upon the worlds cold
charities Porr creatures, how I pity them! |
now have about fCrty-tive men who have families.
The families of these cannot look to their husbands
in the army for maintenance and protection, and
,;oodIy number of them have no means OF support
and are entirely helpless Let me ask all who are
eut Of the army. particularly those who ought to be
IN II, what tIleN lilcII Zap
peal specially to the people of Chatham to know
what they are doing for the poor and needy wives,
widows and children of the noble men who have
# their homes and all that is dear to them earth
and gone forth in response to their country CALL
These men are now standing where many Of yor
should stand. Some who are here with me tO-da =
should be, at home, while some of you should 10
made to come and stand in their places.
havee every reason to believe that there are now,
while write these lines some families Of soldiers
who are not provided and cared for as they should
be. Is It not fact that soldiers wife has to pay
the market price for every thing she has to buy
Is ii not fact that she has to buy nearly every
thing she gets? Without money and without
friends how is she and her poor helpless children
to live without great suffering?
Those who are at home have great responsibilities
resting upon them. 1t is as much their duty to
take cae of the families Of soldiers, it is ours to
offer up our lives free sacrifice to country
when the occasion requires.
Those whoare doing nothing in this way, are our
enemies. They are fighting against US, and if We
are ever whipped, they will share large part D;
the honor of whipping Us.
Nearly all the necessarieS Of life have now run up
to almost famine prices. If spectators and extor
TONERS are not promptly and speedily checked in
their operations there will be possible remedy
to save us from utter ruin. Should the continue
year longer, and these hyenas are allowed to con-
troll the money value of every thing, corn will be
fifty dollars buShel and bacon FIVE dollars pound
and soldiers wives and children will be allowed to
star7e to death, without exciting their pity in the
least degree. Some of the soldiers are daily express
sing fears that their families are not provided for
A few instances have come to my knowledge re-
Gently of families of soldiers under my command
who are suffering for the common accessories of life
Little did l ever suppose that case Of this sort
would ever occur in Chatham county. 1t is cry
ing shame and disgrace upon those responsible
fhafu ctr IN than 0ndt hair
ever | may have been misinformed | trust it
may be so. Is there not plenty Of every thing in
Chatham to supply all the necessary wants of all
the families of soldiers entrusted to her keeping p
THERE'S And appeal most earnestly to her to to
it that she faithfully executes the trust confde to
her. Let nothing be left undone render cOmfor-
table and happy the families of your faithful Sons
who are now in the army, especially of those who
have already given their lives in defence of our lib
critics. The soldier needs more and tTUer friends.
He needs friends that will watch the interests
and administer to the necessities of his wife and
children He can do nothing for them in the army
His pay, contemplate in amount it is he can't
get whenever he wants it. Not one Of nv men have
drawn one cent since the 3lst Of last October. 1t
Is not my fault My pay rolls for November, De-
cember, January and February are all made out
receipted and witnessed and nothing remains to be
done but f1r the psymaster to pay over the money.
Why this gross and wilGul neglect: Is it the fault
Of the government of the government officials :?
Is the laborer not worthy Of his hire, although he
Is paid but pc,.py day?
The government should do more for the soldier,
and do it without delay. How far will eleuen dol.
tFrs per month 90 TO the support of a soldier, al
though his raons and clothing furnished by the
government? What we Get to eat is none of the
nest We Sometimes get worse than nothing
aeSterd1y my company threw away their entire ra-
Mons OF beef for two days. because it was mise
f2otsy poor they could not eat it. They now
;mFs!nQ9F any meat at all Suppose !hey were paid
~. A imoqth'S wages would, at the high rates
aSseo here fQf every thing, scarcely feed them
stu st true that soidss sem, times likes little rarity
Faw surni y o, something to sgt. Some try s'ual
s8aet ~ fifteen cents Aast1, er tries bake
Fs'H''' At s''sntyJfre csRff A third may