The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-09-07
BY THE GOVERNOR OF N. CAROLINA.
A PROCLAMATION!

"HEREAs,i 1t Is reported to me that many SOL
W dieIs from the troops OF this State have DESERT
ed their coors and comrades and are now lurking in
the woods and mosnains. some Of them subsisting
by forcing their friends to violate the laws BY aiding
them and others BY violent depredatons upon peace
able citizens, entailng shame and obloquy upon
themselves and their posserty, outragng the laws and
the peace Of society, and damaging the cause of their
hard-psssed country. And, whereas, Gen. Robert
E. Lee, in General Order, No. 81, Aug 10th, 1864.
has promised to deal lcnien,y with all who promptly
return to duty, though they may have incurred the
penalties Of desertion by prolonged absence without
authority;
Now, therefore, /, ZEBULON b. VANCE, Go.
vernon of the State Of North Carolina, DO issue this
my proclamation, urging most earnestly upon all
such misguided men 10 wipe out from their once fe-
spected names the foul stain of desertion by promptly
returning to the post Of duty in accordance with said
General Order No. 81 promising to all such who
voluntarily return surrender themselves 10 the pro.
per authorities full and free pardon, or the nction
of only the mldest penalties of the military law, ex-
cep, those who have been guilty of capital feIonss
against the lives and properly Of the citizens, and
this promise shall hold good for thirty days from the
date hereof. And hereby warn all such who refuse
10 comply with these terms that the utmost power of
this State win be exerted to capture them or drive
them from the borders Of country whose high honor
and spoIess renown they disgrace by refusing to de-
fend, and that the EXTREMIST penalties Of the law will
be enforced without exception when caught, as well
as against their aders and abeters in the civil courts
simultaneously with this proclamation orders will
ssse to the entire militia of the State 10 turn out for
their arrest, and hope by timely submission thew
will spare me the pain Of hunting down like guilty
felons many brave and misguided men who have
served their country well and could DO again. De-
serters from other States who Eide in our woods and
assist in giving our State badname can do nothing
for but to the erring soldiers OF North Caroline
confidently appeal. And earnestly call on all good
citizens to assist in making this appeal efectuaT.
beth by their exerons militia soldiers and their
influence as men, 10 take pains 10 seek out all de-
serers other acquaintance. put this proclamation in
their hands. or in the hands OF their relatives and
friends and urge upon them To return to the path Of
duty. which is also the path of safety and Of honor
II every good and loyal citizen would set about to re-
claim or captare one deserer by every means in his
power he would succeed and he will have rendered
most valuable and patriotic service, 10 his State and
country. Civil magistrates are also exhoued TO be
dgent in proceeding against all such as violate the
statute against harborng, aiding abetting deseters
and warning is hereby given that in all where
either civil magistrates or militia or home guard off,
GERS refuse neglect 10 faithfully perform their duty
in this respect upon proper evidence submitted to me-
the Executive protection extendedto them under acts
of Congress shall be Withdrawn, as cannst certify
that officers civil military, who refuse 10 perform
their duties necessary 10 the due administration
ofthe laws" which they will not execute
Given under my hand. and the great seal OF the
State, at Raleigh, this cath day Of August, 1854.
u. b. VANCE.
By the Governor:
A. N. McPaxrrERs, Private Secretary, pro tenn.
August 3lst 6l-2w