The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-19
The Bels Of b esolatton.

thirds Of Tennessee, the costs Of North and
South Carolina, part of Georgia, nearly all Of
Florida, Northern Mississippi, Western and
Southern Louisiana, a great part of Arkansas
and Missouri, have already been laid waste,
and eYcry hour brings tidings of fresh destruc-,
ton. Telegrams of Saturday informed us that
the enemy had destroyed million Of dollars
worth Of property on the Combahce and stolen
a thousand negroes; it was but a few days ago
that they ravaged the county of Mathews in
this State, and even while we write tidings come
to us that they are burning private houses and
destroying every grain of corn they can lay
hands on in the country of King and Queen.
Enough has been said of the barbarism of
this mode of warfare, and too much has to be
confessed ofthe entire impunity with which it
is carried on. Our outcries and our admission
Of the weakness or the imbecility of our forces
in the field but add to the hellish joy Of, the
foe, without stimulatidg troops, Government or
people to the pitch of retributive vengeance.
The belt Of desolation widens hourly, nor is
there much prospect of an abatement of the
evil. Citizens complain of the Government,
which in turn complains of the citizens. Mean.
time common inquiry is made as to the exist
ence. and present whereabouts of the organized
forces of the Confederacy
We may be sure this state ofthings will con-
tinue SO long as the war is waged exclusively
on Confederate soil. Every day the enemy re-
mains in our territory will add to the width of
the belt of desolation, and they who now fancy
themselves out of danger will soon discover
their mistake. If thousand Yankee cavalry
can ride entirely through the State of Missis-
sppi, without molestation, what is to hinder
like number from going through Virginia
North and South Carolina to Port RoyaR
Certainly unarmed and unorganized citizens
will not hinder them.
The belt of desolaton serves many purposes
of the Yankee nation. 1t opens way to free
labor and Northern settlers; it diminishes pro-
dncton and concentrates Southern population
within limits inadequate to their support, it
prepares place for Yankee emigration if peace
on the basis desperation is declared. But this
is not all. 1t answers the purposes of war as
well as peace, by interposing country desti-
tute of supplies between our own and the Yam
kec border. Thus it is safeguard against in
vasion. IfLee should advance, he must move
through desert, dragging immense trains of
food behind him. The case is the same with
Bragg with Johnston, with Price. Indeed we
hear that Price will on this account find it diff
fcult, if not impossible, to enter Missouri. In
front of all our large armies lies waste, where
there is food for neither man nor beast. Girded
by belt of desolation, the North is safe from
invasion; the broader the belt the greater its
security. AS the months wane and the years
roll on the South, unless something be done,
will become, in the language of scripture, "the
abominaton of desolat;on." We believe that
something will be done-the necessity of the
case demands it imperatively; would that we
could be sure that it will be done speedy.
This cup can be returned to the lips of the
North druggcd with ten fold bitterness. Mercy
to ourselves demands this act of retributive
Justice to hem.-Riczmond. Whig.
-~D.e--
SToNEwALL JAcKsoN's FAMlLY.-Ths Sa-
vannah Republican, noticing the proposal to
erect monument to Generel Jackson, says:
WI. have boo,J %l,o+ ~ ~,sJ. ILL