The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-08-30
PROCLAMATION BY TIE GOVERNOR OF NORTH
CAROLINA.-Gov. Vance has issued the following
Proclamation in regard to- deserters
nnorr .uaTION


A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas. it is reported to me that many soldiers
from the troops of this State have deserted their
colors and comrades. and nov lurking in the
woods and mountains. oame of them: subsisting BY
forcing their friends to violate the laws by aiding
them and others by violent depredations upon
peaceable citizens. entailing shame and obl"fuy up
on themselves and their posterty. outragng the
laws and the peace of society. and damaging the
cause If theip hard pressed country.
And. whereas. Gen. Robt E. Lee, in General
Order No. 54 Aug. 10th 1864, has promised to deal
leniently with all VIII" promptly return to duty.
though they may have incurred the penalties of de-
sertion bv prolonged absence without authority
Now. therefore. I. Zebulon B. Vance, Governor of
the State of North Carolina. do Issue this my proc
lamation, urging most earnestly upon all such mis-
guided men to wipe out rom their once respected
names the foul stain of desertion by promptly ro-
turning to the post of duty in accordance with said
General Order No. 81 promising to all such who
voluntarily return or surrender themselves to the
proper authorities full and free pardon. or the in
fiction of only the mifdest penalties of the military
law, except those who have been guilty of the capt.
tai felones against the lives and property of the
citizens and this promise shall hold good for thirty
days from the date hereof And hereby warn all
such who refuse comply with these terms that the
utmost power of this State will be exerted to cap
ture them drive them from the borders of coun-
try whose high honor and spotess renown they dis
grace by refusing TO defend and that the EXTREMIST
penalties of the law will be nfrced without excep
ton when caught. well against their adprs and
abctters in the civil courts Simultaneously with
this proclamation orders will issue to the entire
militia of the State to turn out for their arrest. and
hope by timely submission they will spare me the
pain of hunting down like guilty fpons many brave
and misguided men who have served their country
well and could do so again. Deserters from other
States who hide ia our woods and assist in giving
our State a bad name, can dc nothing for. but to
the errng soldiers of North Carolina | confidently
appeal. And earnestly call all good citizens
assist me in making this appeal efectual, both by
their exertions militia soldiers and their influence
asEmen, to take pains to seek all deserters of
their acquaintance, put this proclamation in their
hands. in the hands of their relatives and friends
and urge upon them to return to the path of duty,
which is also the path of safety and of honor If
every good and loyal citizen would set about to
claim capture one deserter by every means in his
power. he would succeed and he will have rendered
a most valuable aud patriotic service to his State
and country. Civil magistrates also exhnrted
to be dilisent in proceeding against all such vo-
late the statute against harboring, aiding or albeit
ing deserter> and warning is hereby given that in
all where either civil gstrases or militia
home guard officers refuse neglect to faithfully
perform their duty in this respect upon proper evil
dence submitted to me, the Executive protection
extended to them under acts of Congress shall be
withdrawn, as cannot certify THAT officers civil or
military. who refuse to perform their duties
Unnecessary to the due administration of the laws"
which they will not execute.
Given under my hand, and the great seal of the
State. at Raleigh. this Oath day of August, 1864.
By the Governor: z B. VANCE.
A. NJ. McPHEETERs, Private Secretary. pro tenn.