Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-19
JEFF. DAVIS PROCLAMATION TO
INN pHpIF ApMgrC

VI
THE REBEL ARMIES.
Soldiers OF he armies Of ne Confederate States:
In the long and bloody war in which your
country is engaged you have achieved many
noble trumphs. You have won glorious vic
tories over vastly moro numerous hosts.
You have ohoorfully braved privations and
tell to which you we're unused. You have
readily submitted to restraints upon your in
dividual will that the citizen nigh, better
perform his duty to the State as a soldier
To all these you have lately added another
triumph, the nobest Of human oonquests, a
victory over yourselves. As the time drew
near when you who fret entered the service
might well have been expected to claim hon
or from your arduous labors and restoration
to the endearments of home you have needed
only the call Of your suffering country. Again
you came to tender your service for the pub
lie defense-a free offering which only such
patriotism as yours could make triumph
worthy Of you and Of the cause to which you
are devoted. | would in vain attempt ade-
quatey 60 express the emotions with which
received the testimonials Of confidence and
regard which you have recently addressed to
me. To some Of those first received, separ-
ate acknowledges we're returned, but it is
now apparent that like generous enthusiasm
peryades the whole army, and that the only
exception to such magnanimous tender will
be of those who, having originally entered
for the war, cannot display anew their zeal
in the public service.
Ii s therefore deemed appropriate, and it
Is hoped will be equally accepted, to make Il
general acknowledgment. Instead Of success
s,c special responses. Would that it were
possible to render my thanks to you in per-
son, and in the name of our common country,
as well as in my own, while pressing She
hand Of each war worn veteran. to recognize
his title to our love, gratitude and admiration.
soldiers BY your will, for you and the
people ore but one, have been placed in
II position which dtbats me from sharing your
dangers, your sutferings and your privatops
in the field. With pride and affection my
heart has accompanied you in every march
With solicituto Il sought to minister &C. your
every want. With exutation it has marked
your every heroic achievement Yet never
in the toilsome march nor IN the weary watch,
nor in the desperate assault have you render
ed a service so decisive in results as in in the
last display Of the highest qualities of devo-
ton and self sacrifice which can adorn the
character Of warrior patriot Already tie
pulse of the whole nation beats in unison with
yours. Already they compare your spontane-
Gus and unanimous offer OF your lives for the
defense Of your country with the halting and
reluctant service Of the mercenaries who are
purchased by the enemy at the price Of higher
bounties than have hitherto been known in
war. Animated by this contrast they exhibit
cheerful confidence and more resolute bearing
Evening the murmuts Of the weak and timld,
who shrink from the trials which make strong
err and frmer your noble natures, are shamed
into silence by the spectacle which you pre-
sent. Your brave battle-cry will ring loud
and clear through the land of the enemy as
we'll as own, will silence sic vain glorious
boastines of their corrupt partisans and their
pensioned press, and will do justice to the
calumny by which they seek to persuade de-
luded people that you are ready to purchase
dishonorable safety By degrading submission.
Soldiers The coming spring campaign will
open under auspices well calculated to sus-
tain your hopes Your resolution need moth
ing to fortify it, With ranks replenished
under the influence Of your example and by
the aid of representatives., who give earnest
of their purpose to add by legislation largely
to your strength, you may welcome the invad-
er with confidence justified by the memory
of past victories. On the other hand, debt,
taxation, repletion of heavy drafts, dissen-
sions occasiOned by the strife for power, by
the pursuit of the spoils OF office, by the
thirst for the plumber of the public treasury,
and above all. the consciousness Of bad
cruise, must tell with powerful force upon the
overstrained energies Of the enemy,v His
campaign Of lsG I must from the exhaustion
Of his resources OF men and money be far
less formidable than those Of the last two
years, when unimpaired means were used
with boundless prodigahty, and with results,
which are suggested 10y the names Of Shiloh
Peuyville, Murireesboro' the hickahominy,
Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellors-
vile.
Soldiers: Assured success awaits US in
our holy struggle for liberty and independence
and for the preservation of all that renders
life desirable to honorable men. When that
success shall be reached to you, your coun-
try's hope and pride, under divine Providence
will it be due. The fruits of that success
will not be reaped by you alone, but your
children and your childrens children in long
generations to come will enjoy the blessings
derived from you, that viii! preserve your
memory ever living in their hearts.
Citizen defenders of the homes, the liber-
ties and affairs Of the Coniederacy that the
God whom we all humbly worship may shield
you with His latherly care, and preserve you
for safe return to the peaceful enjoyment of
your friends and the associations OF those
you most love, is the earnest prayer of your
Commander in. Chief.
Signed JEFFERSON DAVIS.
correspondent, writing from Carter's
81 .,lts tha