Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1863-11-05
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CAMP VAscx.-Our readers are aware that q
Conscript Camp, named after our, excellent
Governor, was ests hlisked near Morgsnton a.
bout two months ago, III charge Of Capt. James
{. McRae, c. s. A. Hs.opera,ions have been
SO useful and important that we are ten.pted To-
em6ody some particulars that have Come te
our knowledge. The first step of tbs Com-
mahdaot was To obtain informationtr b every
count. in the 9th aud f0tn Congress-, D,s-
tricts, preparatory to orgaoix ng y sys t,a' for
bringing IN >absentess from the army anl con-
scripts. The Information collected showad the
whole country to be in serribls condison, Is
having become the resort of oeserte from evS
cry State in the Confedeiaay. II. one county O
regularly organized bah5 Of deserters and recu.
SAINT conscrpts; N another almost all the con-
scripts still at home and great di>sffecton pre-
vailipg; whilst IL the border counties on the
other side "f the Bue Ridge, exposed to incur
SONS frous Teunes >ee torres ard swarming With
desertefs ffom every army OF ours, open acts
OF violence we're daily eommieted private prop
erty carried ntf, and even murder of peaceful
and loyal citizens committed. Affairs were SO
bad in some sections that loyal men dared not
lift voice in favor Of our government The
Enrolling Officer in the 10th District was
obliged to carry armed guard 18th him in
several of the counties. Capt. MtRae has two
companies which he has kept constantly em
ploy ed in reducing order out Of chaos. Tiers
were from SO to 100 deserters in the moun.
tans within 20 miles OF his camp, mostly arm.
ed. lie captured many Of these. dispersed the
rest, and by showing that he was in earnest
caused many more to report volurtarrly.-
Squads OF the latter. whom he found he could
trust, he armed and sens back To oparate, i'm
their own counties, filled up 5tste companies Of
othe rs OF them to operate in the b rder conn.
ties, and raised company OF iutantry aud one
OF cavalry from ampng the snrip.s.
The presence of Gen. Hoke and rs f rce at
Wlikesooro', besides ITS own stnna diatr suo-
cess: was powerful auxiilers to tne opes ations
I'll Capt. McRae and the result go far has besn
that up to the 18Th Inst. he had sent to the ar
my over 400 deserters aud 400 conscripts, bes
SIDES those hs had retained for temporary ser.
vice, and some captured in the extreme West
and sent directly to Bragg's army. Wilkes.
Yadkin and Alexander couhties, are pow among
the mos, loyal IN the State. 1t needed ouly the
appearance OF forces, headed by determined
but kinu and judicous ulen, IT, SHOW the offens
6e.s the error OF their ways, and this happily,
has been done both by Capt. MeRae and by
Gen. Hnke and those i'm command under
him. The prospect is chat the whoie mountaa
region will be thorough, and speedily purged,
and the army strengthened by thousands of
good sold IS as tru.. they will De.
w learn mat Capt McRse has been for .
mo.shs sapeating To the War Department to
ord IA ia IL service in the 6eId, but we submit
l. h.n that he is doing better service whers he
IS though his iabors are more arduous and With
cut an, prospect af such harv vest at glory as
tns gallant soldier eau reap or the field of bat.
Iie From what we have heard we have no
doubt he had an easier time while digging and
Sighting in Virginia than 10 his present oecupa-
.on The marches of his men. too, are extrem
sly ardnnus. To operate successfully their
movements must be quick aud secret, SO that
hey often march at night. 90 10 80 miles with
'ut stopping, over the rougsest country in the
world. d.-Fay. Observer. j.