The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-06-03
BY THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CARO-.
LIMA.
A PROCLAMATION.

W. IlGhEAo nave iedfneu Win great pain snnf
" there have been latterly numerous deser,ions
from the ranks Of our gallant army, and that there
are many persons in the country who incite and
encourage THESE desertons, and halbor and conceal
these misguided men at home, instead Of encouraging
them TO return 10 duly:
Now therefore |, ZEBUL0N B. VANCE, Gov
erfor of the State Of North Carolina do issue this my
proclamation, commanding all such evil disposed Per.
to dess, from such base cowardly and treasen.
able conduct, and warning them that they will sub
ect themselves to indictment and punishment in the
civil courts Of the Conedsracy as well as to the ever.
lasting contempt and delestation Of all good and hon.
orable men.
Certainly no crime could be greater, no cowardice
more sbect, no treason more base, than for citizen
Of the State, enjoying its privileges and protection
without sharing its dangers, 10 persuade those who
have had The courage to go forth in defense Of their
country, yley to desert the coors they have swsrn 10
uphold, when miserable death vile skulking and
ignominious existence must be the inevitable conse-
quence; no plea can excuse il. The father or the
brother who does il should be shst instead Of his de-
luded victim, for he deliberately destroys the manhood
of his own flesh and blood And the same is done by
him who harbors and conceals the deserier Fol whe
can respect either the one the otheri What honest
man will ever wish permit his own brave sons or
patriotic daughters who bore their parts with credit.
in this great struggle for independence, to associate,
even 10 the third and fourth generations with the vile
wretch who skulked in the woods, or the still viler
coward who aided him. while his bleeding country was
calling in vain for his help? Boihar enemies sneak
ing, enemies Of their country, before whom our
open foes will be infinitely preferred Both foes
TO their 0wp KINDRED and noble countrymen who are
electriying the world BY their gallant deeds, and
pouring out their blood upon the field Of battle to pre-
ect those very who sappng tho yilals Of eur
strength. And woe unto you, deserseIs, and your
aiders and abeors, when peace being made and inde
pendence secured, those brave comrades whom you
have deserted in the hour Of their trial shall return
honored and triumphant 10 their homes! Ye that
hide your guilty faces by day, and prow like outlaws
about by night rebbing the wife aud mother If your
noble alefeniers of their little means, while they are
far away facing the enemy, do you think ys can es-
cape the just and dsmning vengeance when the day
of reckoning comes And We that shelter, conceal
and feed these miserable depreda,ors, and stimulate
hem to their internal deeds tkiHk you that ye will be
sparedi Nay res, assured, observing and never fail
ing eyes have marked you, every one. And when the
oyeroyed wife welcomes more her brave and ho-
nofable husband to his home, and tells him how in
The long yesrs Of his absence, in<he lonely hours Of
the night YOU who had been his comrades rudely en-
tered her house. robbed her and her children Of their
bread, Ind heaped insult and indgni,ies upon her
deenceless head, the wrath Of that heroic husband
will make you regret in the bitterness Of your cow
ardiw terror thai you were even born. Instead Of .
sw scattered militia the land win be full Of veteran
soless before whose honest faces you will not have
courage 10 raise your eyes from the earth. II permit
led 10 i've in the State at oil you will be Infamous.
You will be hustled from the pohs, kicked in The
streets, an honest jury will net believe you on oath,
and honest mon everywhere will shun you as pesii.
h - l.. - A
have no other good quality or redeemng virtue.
Though many Of you rejected the pardon heretofore
offered you and am not authorized 10 promise il.
vel am ASSURED that no man will be shot Who shall
voluntarily return 10 duty. This is the only chanse
10 redeem yourselves from the disgrace and gneminy
which you are mourning.
Again our tioope have me. the enemy and gtta:
and glorious victory has been won. But several thou.
sand of our soldiers fell in achieving ]. foI Us. Every
man i needed TO replace the gallant Dead and Ere-
serve an unbroken front 10 still powerful enemy.
Unless arsertion is prevented our slIenghmust De.
par FIRM our armies and desertion can never be STOP
ped while either through false and mistaken sympu-
thy Or downright dsoyaiy they receive sny counIe-
nance N protection at home. therefore appeal II
al good ciiizens and true poirics 10 the State 70 e.
sic. INV Offices ia arresling deseriers and 70 frowa
,oNn al those Who aid and assist then. Place he
brand upQn ihtm auu tuell bCOID ant
con,emp, ofan outraged people. Unless the good and
The patriotic all over the land arise az one man 70 50
rest this dangerous evil. it will grow until oar arm,
is well nigh ruined. The danger Of starvation has
. ing happily passed away-the approaching and Cd
parenty bOunieOus harvest giving evidence Of ampl,
supplies for the coming year-our great sImy 10 Yi
D gina again jublant mighty victory am wei
assured that our danger now lies in the di,oganizs.
/. ton produced by deseriien You can arrest il. my
. ceanityaen. II you will but make yigofors eiTori
y If YOU wll but bring 10 besrihe weigh, Of great,
e p.iririic sud united community 10. aid Of Jour 81
ihofiies.
: In witness whereof ZEBuLos B. YAESs
d Governor, Captain General and Commar
!, -. der 10 Chief. hath signed these presents, an,
u caused the Crest zeal Of State 70 be affixed
Done in the city Of Raisish, ihis lib DAY d Mss
AID 1853. z. B. VANCE
!. BY the Governor:
|. AZ n Narrtg n.