Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-02-17

The following is the address of the President 10
the army:
Soldiers Of the Arnies of tie Confederate States:
In the long and bloody war in which your coun-
try is engaged you have achieved many noble tri
umphs. You have won glorious victories over vast
y more numerous hosts. You have che.rfuily
borne privations and toll to which you unused
1ou have readily submitted to restraints upon your
individual will, that the citizen might better per-
Iorm his duty to the State soldier. To all these
you have lately added another triumph the noblest
OF human conqnests-a victory over yourselves.
AS the time drew near when yon who first enter:
90 the service might well have been expected to
claim relief from your arduous labors and restora
ton to the endesrments of home you have needed
only the call of your suffering country. Again you
come to tender your service for the public defence
sss free Offering which only such patriotism as
9utsx epuld ,make-a7 triumph worthy of you and
d the1eaase to.which you aru devoted.
would in vain attempt adequately to express the
emotions with which received the testimonials of
confidence and regard which you have recently ad-
dressed to me. 10 some of those first received,
separate Acknowledgements were returned. But it
is now apparent that like generous enthusiasm
pervades the whole army, and that the only excep-
tion to such magnanmous tender will be of those
who having originally entered for the war, cannot
DISPLAY anew their zeal in the public service 1t is
therefore, deemed appropriate and it is hoped will
90 equally acceptable, to make general acknowl-
edgment instead of successive special responses.
Would that it were possible to render nv thanks to
you in person, and in the name of our common
country, as we'll as in my own, while pressing the
hand Of each war-worn veteran, to recognize his
title to our love, gratitude, and admiration.
Soldiers! By your will (for you and the people
are but one) have been placed In position which
debsrs me from sharing your dangers, your suffer-
ings and your privations in the field With pride
and affection my heart has accompanied you in every
your every want; !; with exultation it has mark ed
your every heroic achievement Yet, never in the
tolsome march, nor in the weary watch nor in the
desperate assault, have you rendered u service so
decisive in results in this last display of thehigh
est qualities of devotion and self sacrifice which
adorn the character of the wsrrior.patrioI
Already the pulse of the whole people beats in
unison with yours Already they compare your
spontaneous and unanimous offer Of your lives, for
the defence Of your country, with the halting and
reluctant service of the mercenaries who are pur
chased by the enemy At the price of higher boun-
ties than have hitherto been known in war. Ami
mated by this contrast, they exhibit cheerful con-
fdencs and more resolute bearing. Even the mur-
murs of the weak and tilnid who shrink from the
trials which make stronger and 6rner your noble
natures, are shsmed Into silence by the spectacle
which you present Your brave battlecry will
ring loud and clear through the land Of the enemy,
as well as our own will silence the vaing gorious
boastngs Of their corrupt partisans and their pen
stoned press; and will do justice to the calumny
by which they seek to persuade deluded people
that you are ready to purchase dishohorabe safety
by degrading submission.
Soldiers! The coming Spring campaign will open
under auspices we'll calculated to sustain your hopes
Your resolution needed nothing to forlifyit. With
.Auhs IepiusIi,neu uude, the influence or your
ample, and by the aid of your representatives, who
give earnest OF their purpose to add, by legislation
largely to your strength, you may welcome the in
vader with confidence justified by the memory of
past victories. On the other hand, debt, taxation
repetition of heavy drafts dissenson, occaslon-d by
the strife for power by the pursuit of the spos of
Office, by the thirst for the plumber of the public
treasury; and above ALL the consciousness of a bad
cause, must tell with fearful force upon the over
strained energies of the enemy. His campaign in
1864 must from the exhaustion OF. his resources
both in men and money, be far less formidable than
these of the last two years. when unimpared mear:s
q were used with boundless prodigaity, and with re-
suits which are suggested by the mention OF the
glorious names of Shiloh and perrysvle, and Muir
freesboro' and Chickamaugs and the Chickahominy,
and Manassas, and fredericksburg and Chancellors-
vile.
Soldiers! Assured SUCCESS awaits US in our holy
struggle for liberty and independence and for the
preservation of all that renders life desirable to hon.
orable men, When that success shall be reached.
to you, your country hope and prde, under Divine
; Providence, will it be due. The fruits of that sue
cess will not be reaped by you alone; but your
children and your children's children in long ge,-
era,,ons to come, will enjoy blessings derived from
you that will preserve your memory ever living in
their hearts.
Citizens defenders of the homes, the liberties and
the affairs of the Confederacyl That the God whom
we all humbly worship may shield you with his
Fathcry care, and preserve you for safe return to
the peaceful enjoyment Of your friends and the as.
prayer Of your Commander-m Chief
JEFFERSON DAVIS
Richmond, Feb. 9th, 1864.
ESCAPE OF PRIsoNERs. hundred and nine
officers, including Col Straight escaped from the
Libby prison, in Richmond on the night o. the 9Th,