The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-08
oUTRAGEs BY DEsERTERS.

The outrages and enormites OF deserters and
recusant conscripts IN this State are becoming be-
yond endurance Every week we hear of some
outrage committed by them Notwithstanding the
efforts of the government both in the exercise of
clemency and vigilant rigor, These enormlties are
being committed. The press has been too silent
upon this subject. Even those, who are Mortified
at every instance of departure from the law in act
temper on the part of those whose duty it is to
arrest deserters and their abettors, and who
ready to cry OUT when any of officers transcend
the bounds of prudence and law, against the Exec
utive of the State, who it is we'll known eschews
everything like inhumanity in the execution of the
law, are strangely silent upon these enormities.
We learn, that within the past two weeks these
depredations on the part of deserters have, if pos
sible, become more enormous than before Desc
in the county of Wilkes committed rape upon two
| of the daughters of Mr.. Michael Williams a short
time since, under the most aggravating circum-
stances-Capt Davis, most excellent and vigilant
Home Guard officer was killed few days ago
Messrs. James and Peter Eller, Mr. Mcneil and
others have been robbed. In Allegheny county,
two men were killed by them-in FOrsythe another
has been ruthlessly slain-in Henderson county
Mrs. Col. Bryson was killed and her two daughters
shot. These are only few of the enormties CON-
mitted Should our people submit to this? Should
Gov Vance relax in his efforts to arrest this state
Of things, because few State officers, are not
easily restrained under such circumstances from
violent and treatment of suspected persons
We will not under any circumstances counsel dis
obedience to the law or inhumaniy in its enforce
ment, but does not the outrages which are being
daily committed in the State often upon unoffend-
ing females, call for the vigorous enforcement of
The law, both upon the deserters and those who aid
and abet them ? 1t is time the whole State was
aroused
Every citizen owes il to the State to society and
to himself to give information and to aid in arrest
ing these lawless men. They must be put down
by the strong arm of force and that Immediately.
Every person against whom there is evidence that
they are harboriDg or abetting them, should be
arrested and punished to the extent of the law
Let the militia and home guards who are at home,
and all good citizens resolve to put them down or
drive them from the State.-Rdleigh Conservative.
The Conservative, of subsequent date, says the
following letter has been received by Gov Vance:
W1LKEsBoRo', WILKES Co, N. c.,
October 80, 1864.
To His Excellency, z B Vance:
l think it would not be amiss to give you short
history OF the condition of the country here Rape,
murder ard robbery, is the order of the day. The
tories ct this county have formed themselves into
about four squads One in the Brushy Noun
tains is under the command of the Youngers-one
on Roaving river is under the Shocmstes-one on
Mulberry is under Jennings in the Flat
Woods six miles from town is under your friend
Harrison Church Let me tell you the number of
citizens that have been robbed n the last ten days
McGrady, Lovett, McGrady, Mason, Brown, Brown
again, Abscher, Wyatt, Col. Eler, James Eller,
Frank Mcneil, Vim. Mcneil, Jas. Mcneil, Jos |
Gray who lives three miles from town. Pretty
large sums of money were taken from several OF |
them besides everything that the robbers wanted |
These squads formed of robbers from every part
of the Confederacy ard some from the Yankee
army A good many of our best citizens have
been driven FROM their homes and have moved their
property and some have been killed in the attempt
to move: Now can't you suggest some plan by
which this be broken up?
Yours with the highest regard =