The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-08-16
For the WeSter7a Democrat.

mon thing TO hear some people talk big about whip
ping the yankees and gaining independence. bu
when the Government calls for men and means Il
accomplish the job, they are about the first to grum
BILE and complain if the call affects them The fac
is. the Government must have more men before oul
independence is secured, and it must have the
means to assist the 1t is shameful to bear
wealthy man, who is at home working large negro
force, complaining because he has had horse i'm
pressed required to furnish a negro to work Oh
the public defences. They ought not only to furn-
sh these things willingly, but they ought to assist
largely in supporting the families of poor men who
are fighting to protect and save their property In
stead of doing that, we say plainly that many have
shirked their duty and refused to help the cause.
Some have done their duty nobly, and it is due
to them that those who have refused or neglected to
help should be spurred up exposed.
| And we further say that it is a shame for Gov
eminent officers, Railroad officials and contractors
generally. to cheat the service out of soldiers by
having dozen men detailed to do the work that
two or three men could do. We know what we are
| talking about, and prepared to say if oc-
caslon requires it. If our armies not reinforced
with men the war may continue for years longer.
If everybody at home combines to shield each
other from service in the field, how is it possible to
defeat and drive off the invader And if people at
home lawyers included, resort to all sorts of qub
bles 70 keep men out of service what is to become
OF our armies Send ON the men, prepare to see
your homes desecrated by yankee soldiers. There
are too many young men at homo acting as clerks
assistants to chiefs of departments that might be
in the field fighting. If they. and other shirkers
were in the field, there would be no necessity for
taking the old
Recently an order was issued for Mary FLANDERS
to report at camp. Why is it that the conscript
officers do not enforce the order. We have been
into Maryland twice, and gave them chance to
make good their professions by practice, but they
wouldn't come it. They are filling up the South
eating up bread and meat, but they can't be in
duced to help US fight. While exposing our
lives in battle we have right to complain of the
way things managed at home. Again say,
send US Men must have.
Although we have been in the war three years,
we are posted as to- how matters are managed at
home. We hope the Editors will strike for reform
and see that Justice is done. We want the men who
liable to service, and we want those exposed who
have been shielding others from the field It is the
duty of editors to ferret out the matter and beg
them to do it. More anon.
SOLDIERS
FROM YANKEE LAND-We on yesterday con-
versed with soldier who, in company with three
others, had just arrived from Yankee Land.
These men were captured by the enemy in the bat
tie of the Wilderness, which was fought on the 9th
Of May, when they were taken to Point Lookout.
There they found the prison crowded with our
men, and over them guard of negroes was placed,
who treated them with all sorts of indgnties, and
for the least provocation would shoot them down
likesdogs, in sight Of the white officers. They
were put on very short rations, and the water
which was supplied from wells of the most n
wholesome kind It was thought that these wells
poisoned by the officers, as they were
several times putting something into one of them,
and the water always had the taste Of copperas.
,o1 how 4or a. H., or1,
ring insult and suffering hunger, when, seeing
negro soldier deliberately fire upon the prisoners,
killing two an9 wounding two others, they made
up their minds to escape, if possible, from such
place, and so yielding to the solicitations Of the Of
fcers in command, they took the oath Of allegiance,
and mustered into the United States service.
From Point Lookout they were sent to Norfolk,
where they were ASST gned to reg iment now doing
provost duty; and composed principally Of desert
ers from the Confederate army and prisoners who
have taken the oath. They remained with this
regiment for nearly two months, commanded by
Lieut.. Col G. y. r. Diamond, who is said to be
proud, scornful Yankee villain, watching for a
chance to make their escape into the land of Dix
ie At length the suspicious time arrived, and on
the first Of August they left Norfolk, and set out
on their journey. We will not state by what route
they came, as we learn that there others on the
way, and still others waiting for opportunity to
come Suffice it to say that they arrived safely in
this city and reported to quarters.-Peters-
burg Register.
Hcavy Explosion an the Eneny's lines near
Petersburg half-past II o'clock yesterday
the soldiers in the trenches our centre and left
were startled by an unexpected and heavy explo
sion in the rear of the enemys front line of breast
works. The report SO distinct as to be heard
above the noise in the city and for miles in the
country Everybody here awas certain that Gen
Reauregard had sprung mine upon the yankees,
and from the nature of the explosion, all agreed
that it must have been very damaging one
TO ascertain the truth Of the matter near as
possible, we walked out to the front and found that
the yankees had neither sprung mine upon US
0,rE oac tire md