Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-03-14
ADDRESS OF The GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
TO THBsOLDIERs OF VIRGINIA.

IO LnEI SOLDlEhS OF VIRGINIA.
O. 1884,
Soldiers Of Virginia IN ne Ars Of TIE Confederate States:
nearly three since left your homes AMI hre
des at the call Of your ste repel the invasion Of her soil
Before tAhag up every obtain peaceful
joymen Of your rights the Constitution exhau
ed appeals fr juscs spurned with contempt and war
to suugle sister Rates of the South commenced ~ Aba
ham Lincoln
BY this laws proc ceiling Federal Administration threw
ca the mask had hitherto In such contest Virginia
could remain indifferent spectator BSuad By tie
Of blood sympathy, Interests and 10
the States against this hostile preparation SET on foot
abe withdrew from association which longer
Speetsd written Constitution, and resolved 10 receive her
bosom threatened Invasion she invoked you
rally defend homes your affairs aud honori and
this appeal not madsn vn Promptly and generously you
responded to the call Of duty Most faithfully have
omed In long AMI arduous service you have hrunk
from toll danger and sacrifice During ABSENCE
In the hd wives and htls have suffered want
your avsged and the fruits industry destroyed By
ruheSs emmy b. despite every temptation
you looked back Your always been hxed
the os and your waiting for the 70 battle Amid
the toll OF the march the weary watch the labor the hunger
the col1 the pvaons Of the camp complain.
have always rendered chseru obedience 10 the State
which houorS and cheIhss you with mothers love.
You have presn, OF the imp battles Of the
war all your has conspicuous has made
the theme Of praise heroic compa.ions from other
States, and BY the whole civilized worli.
Many OF your comrades have fallen In battle, from disease
contracted 10 service AMI been transferred from the roll Of life
TO that Of Immortality. There whose mulaed
their honorable devotion TO their country.
10 proDsed absence from home, sacnce OF
interests and of all the eJoyments Of life has indeed, been
great The war orcsu upon the malice Of people whom
had jared has entaled upon all deep SORROW and
suffering unavoidable camitiss have been greatly
by the refusal Of the TO respect laws Of
civilized warfare by their nsndish attempt subms
karha
children aged and the helpless. Unbdied license
gwen Their cupdy ultsd millions Of property have
VantOy destroyed BY er malice s#eled the Golfers
the pAmpsred villains unwp justice have been open
Iy rewarded and pro motel for tlels crimes
Aged unoHsndng men dragged from their beds
dreAy prisons and sS labor Refined and vrtuous
brua iasued, and nanacsd BY rude unfse
ing sody lei captive from their homes hostages
for negroes.
Farms have b.en desolAd dwellings have bssn laid a,hss
unprotected and helpless children have been turned out
their without bread shelter. The tom6s Of the
dead have robbed and desecrad By fenis, who
ruhesy invaded the sancy Of the grave and outraged
the sensblllles OF the living
Under the hypocca guisS Of oerAng from slavery
happier aud yruous than themselves they have
sought to subject yoke CALLING than they have
sayed 10
abOve effort mIde carry Into execution with minute In
gruetons enAnaog bsleve) from the Gov
Washington, osaek and Ae the city Ct Richmond,
dAIknsts OF night consgn Its Inhabitants. without
moments warning, to flames And 10 death. FIR this purpose
special "burniag party" organ Eed provided with impe
OF desuc.on and orders carry into execution the fell
design. Among is blazing ruins the released prisoners from
and "Ihe LIBBY unite with the bands Of
DlhTe1 Fitzpatrick deaag death and slaughter upon
unondng and peaceful Esns, and nacug outrass upon
purs and unprotected horrible than death
Til. heart ekenI the contemplation Of the enormss that
would beea committed had the neaous :chsm succeeded
prayer mercy would heard for help
would hav. BEL Needed Fire. rapne slaughter
have held unlbputsd dominion In this fair city.
We orbear TO enlarge bat make this recital that
clearly the character Ct foe and hs he may be
held up to TIE odium nd execraton Of mankind.
disregard Of all the rules OF civilized warfare
Obi and his Cabinet by special directions 10
denied the lights Of prisoners Of and killed in cold
blood.
Every species public aud private property be de-
soyed the entire country within their reach laid waste
stimulated encouraged by the pIecepts and example Of
eader husband robbers and murdsre catered private
houses broke open ladies' wadrbsS destroyed Of their rich
what they could not appropriate carried Jewels and
plate consigned stores provisions burnt mills alt
other houses soa fairet stae and
Lett whole families without food.
Thanks glaniry citizen soiasy, they routed
repused 10 the midst Of this carnival Of crime, which must
outrage ths senIb les Of the civilized world Many Of them,
with Consciousness Of their dessr contemplate
Whin the walls Of prison from which they hoped 10
release their companions.
An avenging suddenly summoned the arocious leader
Of his wickedness TO the bar Of Judgment
slain body found his atrocious instructions
stained his blood. We Of Ahsren will be handed
history at associate in inamy with Butler and
crmna dgracsd Humanity and shocked
the moral sense Of the world.
Bat very atrocities will discern the motive, any
we're needed service and fresh sscrinos Virginia
hack hono
duty and safety shall 50 forward In the grand
ugge rights ard human Liberty, brayey begun
and 30 mGniuly maintained.
Aer all that we have suffered and endured ga,on or
submission foe would reduce degree de-
graduation misery which has parallel in the history ef
civilization.
The sacnc bIooL and that have expended
the memories noble who have freely given their
lives for the Of our independence forbid tina,
should needes throw away what has been already won
vain hope OF obtaining peace or security.
Nothing wretchednes and untold misery await u.s.
stop the unconditional acknowledgment indie
pendenee. Th vAlor will surely command Men Of yr
gna you soldiers of renowned Commonwealth,
illustrate and aloft every battle fed
We need unfold you hs Of your right
weAre aaurtd fully comprehend the
cesty Of successful assertion OF hs right and that will
lay your until yoa have 70
inheritance freedom you hesitate
slavery DEATH Submission to enemy who has exhausted
every aamy not endurable even In thought
enough desire peas less than the unqualified
recognition OF independence enterss alone would
folly Of relying upon the forbearanse Of nation, who
have every Of the that their faith PERI
their only policy is raPine plumber and oppres The
whole history Of former association with the Northern States
admonshes thstn government they will never fall
employ heir power to take away property Their present
malice sprtgs chiefly from balsd updly. Bat for
passion their nature honorable and speedy peace would
easy. The has fully developed all their purposes
you that awaits in tbs OF sutugs
don nbesties viii utterly per1h Your organization
blosd AyJur property Of every description will
be conhed for all OF have participated the revelation
be divided the ban M from the North
and from Earope who have invaded State iee negro
population will be established your nsst your Sc