Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-12-22

r0kenSplrILoQ from OPPRESSION anu tyranny
Dy Incompetent feld-ofHcers and our wives and
children suffering for the actual necessaries OF
life. Every one knows that the army is COM
posed of the bone and sinew of the land-me-
cllanics and laborers-that their families, before
the commencement of this unholy war-were de-
denpent upon their daily labor for support.
know, Mr.. Editor that there have been societies
formed for the relief of soldiers wives that
County Courts, Corporations, &C., have done a
good deal for them, but want to ask you, can
any one suppose for one moment that these So
cietles &c., can enter into the details and min
utial of the sutferings and wants of each and
every soldiers family. No one can attend to
the wants of family so we'll as the head thereof
the father and husband. know that 1t Is I'M
possible for every poor soldier who has family
to go home at once. / think there is a way tho
to fix this which would suit and benefit the SOL
der, the government, and the cause. 1t Is this ::
Let Congress pass law that so many men out OF
esery hundred go home every 10 days, Ia. g. as
FAST as one lot would 60 and come let another
60. tnlnk if the government had pursuet TINS
policy from the first that the ranks this day would
% mere iuil, and .lere would not be so much
discomfort among the soldiers. In the Spring
Of 1862 were offered 80 days furlougn and $50
bounty to re-eniist. A great many of them did
so, expecting to get the furlough immediately
Some few did get it while the greater majority
did not. This failure TO come up to the promise
led some of our best men to desert, who have
never come back while others have been brough
back and punished in he most disgraceful man-
ner. Now want to tell you, Mr.. Editor, citi
zens do Eot know anything about the state Oh
feeling existing among the private soldiers. Not
even do the company officers know There is a
certain point where ssforbearance ceases to be a
virtue," and that point has almost arrived
There will be outburst ere long, If something
IS not done, that will make citizens and every
one else quake with fear and surprise. l ain a
private soldier, and know. There is another
thing l want to cali the attention of Congress
to = Soldiers pay. Every one with half sense
Eoaght to know, at the present exhorbltant pri-
ces, NO man could support himself alone. Let
me tell Won little Incident one OF a Thousand
Passing camp fire the other night saw SOL
dier sitting down with letter in his hand, read
ing it. stopped for moment. He was no,
aware Of my presence. After he had finished
reading his letter he sollOquized thus: ssLasl
pa, day | sent all my pay ($24) home there is
now but S. lett; $l4. for the leather for a pail
of shoes, and So for calico dress tor my young
est child. My God, what shall do :'' could
see the tears trlckling down his bronzed and
weather-beaten cheeks. Now, do you suppose
that this man, with his one blanket, laid down
that night and slept in contentment and peace
Never I doubt if sleep visited his eyes thai
night and, if it did, his dreams were filled witt
the sufferings of his wife and little ones at home
Now, Mr.. Editor, know this man to have beer
an industrious and honest man, supported hi
family comfortably before this war. But this il
only one case out of a Thousand of every day &C
currence.
There is another thing, Mr.. Editor In tn
spring of 1862, they promised a soldier the priv
eledge of joining the command of his choice
he would re-eniist. After they were re-enlisted
they were refused a transfer-at least a grea
many were. Why this was, do not know
This has been a source of great discomfort, too
There Is out comparatively few re-enlistet
men in the army, and / want to know what pro
vision is going to be made for them next spring
Will they lie allowed to re-enlist for the com
mand of their choice or not Will they be al
lowed to reorganise and elect their own officers
And will Congress guarantee them their furlougl
after they have re-enlisted 2 tell you if the,
do not there will be but very few re.enlisted mel
next Spring. Congress has got to come RICH
up to taw- and legislate for the benefit of tht
soldiers this winter; for, if they don't, wo,
be unto them the next time Member Congress
are to be elected
Mr.. Editor, have but spoken the sentiment
of nearly every soldier in the army, and hope
that Congress and the people will think over i
seriously, and weigh well the words have writ
ten. CONFEDERACY.