Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-04-08
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAxp 81 n. G. INFANTRY, STATE TRoors,

CAxp So n. G. INFANTRY, STATE TRocrs,i
Near Fredericksburg, Ta., Mar. %, '6S.
Eiitor Raleigh Standard
DraR SIR:-For the accommodation, edificatiO
&c, of your occasional readers in this departing
of the army. you will please give your understan
ing Of the conscript law, applied, or about to
applied to officers who may pcrchance resign tn.
positions IN the Confederate States army. lw
informed to-day, that, in the division of Gen. A.
Hill an enrolling officer had been appointed in ord
to "conscript" any officer or officers who might
dismissed from the service by sentence Of cou
martial or who should Internationally resign
There may be some error in this information as in
parted, but should it prove true, methinks it
without parallel in history for assumption
right G. prescription of right, and total disrega
for the constitutional liberties of people who cai
to be free. A few days since, the papers announce
the fact that thesresignation Of Gen. Gustavus u
Smith had been accepted. l would beg leave
ask if you think it probable that Gen. Smith
be conscripted? To show the gross injustice pra
ticed upon the subalterns Of the army, would mel
ton the fact, that an officer of this regiment ten
Gered in due form his resignation, endorsed by Il
commanding officer of the regiment as follows
"This officer has an immense negro property, which
if not cared for Immediately, must consequently
lost forever" The brigade commander approved al
forwarded respectfully; the division command,
recommended "furlough for 80 days, if dischare
would not be beneficial to the service" and 70
warded. The army corps commander "approvt
for 80 days furlough," and, by order of Gen. Le'
returned, endorsed approved" Thus, this ofic.
after making two attempts to resign honorably, OF
rendered some month ago, is compelled to abse,
himself, (his business, negroes, &c, would do this
so that he may be dropped from the "Roster of
tiecrs." In the event he does not return, Cuisine
transacted or not) by the time the furlough e,
pires he will be recommended to be dropped.
will be done, and this is the only way an officer
suhaltern mean-can honorably leave the Confet
crate army. Was such gross injustice ever befo,
Practiced in any army? If an officer wishes to RI
sign-and none can deny him the RICH. to do So
It is not matter of concern interest to Geners
Anybody. When he resigns he may return home
if then he is conscripted it is his own misfortune
That army which is bound together by orders, di
regardful of law and right q speak of compellin
an officer to remain in the army or conscrpting biz
As soon as he resigns is of no effect when brougl
in contact with opposing forces. where unanimit
Of feeling, independence, and State or other prid
may exist. If an officer has not the right to re
sign, he has not the right to accept appointment
nor hold a commission. If by accepting this me
of pottage, "a commissicn) we sell our brth-rlgL,
then must say that deception has been, is no..
and ever will be practiced upon those whose mer {
torious conducs-&c has gained them appointments,
and who would prefer the ranks, with slavery, q
established fact, to the thselled deception of con,
mission, with freedom-or more liberty, at leas
always in perspective. What think you Of tt
matter in question? C.,