The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-02-17
acaerai Hood.
Jeff. Davis, Proclamation II
.r,.,... the Rebel Armies. Ell

I
Soldiers Of the. Arm&es of he CoVederatt
States :--' 3 T',7.' .e'e,-v -t'a.
In the dong ard bloody war in which
your country is engaged you have achieved
rioGs victories over vastly moro numerous
hosts. You have cheerfully born priyatiops
and toll to which You were unused. You
have readily Submittea TO restraints upon
yonr Individual will, that the citizen might
better pcrferm his duty to the State as a
soldier. To all these you have lately ad
ded aupther triumph noblest Of human
conqueSts-a victory over yourselves. As
the time drew near when You who first en-
tered the sergios might we'll have been ex-
pected tol claim relief from your ardnous
labors aud restoration 10 the endearments
OF home you have needed only the call Of
your suffering country. Again yon come
to tender your service for the public defence
"a free Offering, which only such patriot
ism as yours could make-a triumph wor-
thy of you and of the cause to which YOU
are devoted. .-l-..,--
t.would in vain attempt adequately TO
express the emotions with which received
the testimonials of confidence and regard
which you have recently addressed To me
To some of those first received separate ac
knowledgments were returned, but it Is
no# ay,fl?2nt thEt y ne generous enthusi
asm pervades the whole army, and that the
only exception to such magnanimous tender
will be of those who, having originally en-
tered for the war; cannot now display anew
their zeal in the public service. 1t is, there
fore, deemed appr 1p,ate, aud 1t Is hoped
will be equally acceptable, 10 make gen
eral acknowledgement, Instead of successive
special responses Would that II were pos
sibe 20 render my thanks tOyou IN person,
andl in the name Gt' our common country,
as well az in my own. while pressing the
hand Of each war worn veteran, 10 recog
nize his title TO our love, gratitude and al
riratiun.
.Sodiers-.By your will--7ior you and the
psuple are but one--l have been placed in
a positioH which debars me from sharing
y6ur dangers, your snfferings and you pri
vations in the field. With pride and atfec
tion my heart has accompanied youin every
march; with soliGtude il has sought to min
ister t, your every want; with eSultation il
has marked your every heroic achievement;
vet never lii the toilsUme march. nor in the
weary watch, nor in the desperate assault
baye vol rendered service so decisive in
results as IN the last display Of the highest
Qualities ole dc votiont aud seii-sacritice
which can ado.n tne character of the war
rior patriot. -s-s-E ., ..
Already she pulse OF the whole people
beats In unison with yours; already they
compare yOur. Spontaneous auu unanimous
offer ot your lives for the defence of your
country with the haltiug aud reluctant SER
vice 81 the merceparie, who are purchased
by the enemy as the price OF higher boun4
ties than have hitherto been known in war
Animated by This conitast, they exhibit
cheerful confidence and more resoiute
bearing Even the -murasurs of the weak
and tiaid who shrink from tue trials which
make stronger and lrmer your noble ma
lures, are shamed into silence by the spec
Eacle which you present. Your brave bat
tie cry viii ring loud aud clear through the
land'ot the enemy as well as our own, will
silence the vaiHglog'ans b0as5ingS of their
corrupt partisans and their pensioned press,
ann 9@ilF do justice 10 tue calumny by
which they seek To persuade deluded
people ttIat are-ceqdy TO purchase di>hon-
orab!e safety by degrading Submission.
Seldiers--The coming spring campaign
wi a open under auspices we'll calculated to
sustain your hopes. Year resolution heed
ed nothing TO fartiiy it. With ranks re-
pleuished under the influence of your ex-
ample, and by the aid of representatives
= r = . -
IesisIattua ii largely to your strength, you
NAV welcome the invader with a confidence
justified BY the memory Of past victories.
On. the other hand, debt, taxation. repe-
titicn Of heavy drafts, dissentjons oceasioned
by the strife for power, by the pursuit of
thesspeiS0fso office, by the thirst for the
pIunder of the. Publc1trsas and above
all, the conseio0sness Of bad cause, must
teiE With fearful force on the overstrained
..ss1as -,sk -