Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-08-23
STRAITS OF THE REBELS.

We have never been disposed to believe
the irresponsible stories Of refugees, de-
serters, &c., representing the rebels to be
pushed to extremities, either as regards
men, supplies or funds. We cannot place
too little confidence in the tales OF such
men, which are too often the inventions
of Adventures and designing men, palmed
off for an Interior purpose. But we have
that now which we cannot overlook. 1t
is an official admission that the rebels are
reduced to desperate straits for men, how
ever well off they may be for resources.
Governor Brown, of Georgia, has issued
lengthy proclamation to the citizens OF
that State, to rally to its defense. In its
opening sentence he says:
A late correspondence with the President
of the Confederate States satisfies my MIND
that Georgia is to be left to her own resources
to supply the reinforcements to General
Johnston's army, which are indispensable 10
the protection of Atlanta and TO prevent the
State being overrun by the overwhelming
numbers now under command of the Federal
General upon our soil.
He then proceeds to order a mercless
CONSUMPTION of boys, old men, detailed re-
mainders of former conscriptions-every
one who can shoulder gun and point
musket-to strengthen the army defend
ing Atlanta.
Desperate, indeed, must be the rebel
condition, when such a confession is off,
cially made. To protect Atlanta and
prevent the State from being overrun,
Georgia is left to her own resources by
the Rebel President. How important the
point thus abandoned to be defended only
by an army which they know cannot re-
sist the overwhelming numbers " Of
Shelman's force, strengthened simply by
such raw troops as can be trumped up in
Georgia, is shown by the following ex-
tracts from the same proclamation:
Georgians, you must reinforce Gen. john
sons army and aid in driving back the enc
my, or he will drive you back to the Atlantic,
burn your cities and public buildings, destroy
your property and devastate the fair fields OF
your noble State.
If Gen. JohnSton's army is destroyed, the
Gulf States are thrown open to the enemy
and we are ruined. II Gen. Sherman's army
be cut off, the West is thrown open to US to
the Ohio river, and all raids into Mississippi,
Georgia and Alabama will soon cease.
Gov. Browns candor is only equaled
by his desperation. And yet there are
those who see no evidences of success in
the prosecution of the war
But this is not all. The Georgians re-
fuse to come forward and prevent the zen
envy" either from driving them back to
the Atlantic, or destroying Johnston's
army. In this dilemma, Gov. Brown is
sues an order, dated headquarters, At
lanta, Ga, July H." and addressed to 81.
C. C. Blackburn, Colonel and Abide
Camp" from which we make the follow
ing extract, showing its tenor:
regret to learn from your letter that men
of wealth and influence in your county, who
have more property than their neighborS to
be defended, and who have Confederate de-
tails to remain at home in pursuit of their
ordinary avocations, and are performing no
military service, express determination not
to obey my late order, and report at Atlanta,
to aid the gallant army under Gen. Johnston
in driving back the army of invasion which
now threatens to overrun our beloved State,
which is the key in the Confederate arch, and
to deyastate our homes.
The arrest of all such persons, using
"all the force necessary" is ordered, but
life is not to be taken, "unless it is abso-
lutely necessary to overcome resistance"
Persons "between ffty-fve and sixty
years of age, with all the guns in the
county," is the force relied on to enforce
the proclamation. The Governor says:
All able to bear arms must come to the
front and aid in the defense of all that is dear
to a people. Those who attempt to skulk
from the discharge Of this duty, or to hide I'M
der exceptions or details not known to the
laws Of Georgia, must be compelled to come
and do their duty. If armed resistance is
made in any county, which is too powerful to
overcome by the military force at the COM
mand of the officer, he will report the fact,
and sufficient armed force will be sent to over
come force with force, and to compel delin-
quents to do their duty.
Evidently, the "Key in the Confeder-
ate arch" is doomed to fall.