The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-08-31
BY THE GOVERNOR OF N. CAROLINA.
A PROCLAMATION!

| w HEREAs, 1t is reported to me that many sol
deis from the troops Of this State have desert
ed their colors and comrades and are now lurking in
the woods and mountains, some Of them subsistine
by forcing their friends to violate the laws by aiding
them and others by violent depredations upon peace.
able citizens, entaiing shame and obloauy upon
themselves and their posetity outaging the laws and
the peace Of society, and damaging the cause of their
hard.presspd country. And whereas Gen. Robert
L. Lee, in General Order No "a, Aug. 10th. 1864.
has promised to deal lenienty with all who promptly
return to duty, though they may have incurred the
penalties Of desertion by prolonged absence without
authority;
Now, theref,re,I, ZEBULON B. VANCE, Go.
vernon Of the State OF North Carolina, do issue this
my proclamation, urging most earnestly upon all
such misguided men to wipe out from their once re-
spected names the foul stain Of deserion BY promptly
returning 70 the post of duty in accordance with said
General Order No. 81, promising to all such who
voluntarily return or surrender themselves 10 the pre-
per authorities full and free PARDON or ba nfction
of only the mdest penalties Of the military law, ex-
cept those who have been guilty of capital felonies
against the lives and property Of the citizens and
this promise shap hold good for thirty days from the
date hereof. And hereby warn all such who refuse
to comply with these terms that the utmost power Of
this State will be eyerted TO capture them or drive
them from the borders of country whose high honor
and spotes renown they disgrace by refusing TO de-
fend, AMI that the extremes penalties Of the law will
be enforced without exception when caught as well
against their aisrs AMI abeeTs in the civil courts
simultaneously with this PROCLAMATION orders will
issue 10 The enife militia ofthe State To turn out for
their arrest and hope BY timely submission they
will spare me the pain Of hunting down like guilty
feloas many brave anil misguided men who have
served their country well and could do SO again. De.
nil n, in anI
assist in giving Stale bad name can do nothing
for, but to the errng soldiers of North Carolina
confidently appeal. And earnestly call on all good
citizens to assist me in making this appeal elfectual,
hath BY their exerilons militia soldiers and their
influence as men, 10 take pains 10 seek out all de-
serlers Of their acquaintance put This proclamation in
their hands or in the hands of their relatives and
friends sad urge upon them 10 return to the path Of
duty. which is also The path Of safety and Of honor.
Ii every cool and loyal citizen Would set about to re-
claim or capture one dasertsr by every in his
power he would succeed and he will have rendered 4
most valuable and patriotic service 10 his State and
county. Civil magistratss also exhoried to he
dilgent in proceeding against all such as violate the
statute against harhorng aiding or abe,ipg deseHers,
AMI warnag is hereby given that in alI cases where.
either civil magistrates militia or home guard Off
refuse neglsc, to faithfully perform their duty
in this respect upon proper evidence submitted to me,
the Executive protection extended TO them under acts
of Congress shall BE- Withdrawn, as cannot certify
that officers, evil military, who refuse 10 perform
their duties are necessary to the due administration
ofihe laws, which they viii not execute.
Given under my hand, and the great seal of the
I State, at Raleigh this 24lh day of August, 1854.
Il. B. VANCE.
By the Gnvsrnor:
A. n, NcPnEkrERs, Private Secretary, pro TEN.
/ August 3lst. 6l-2w