The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-04-27
For The lntelliqenesr.

FOT tNe. fHlcttl9eIceT.
Mr.. EDITOR: The announcement in your paper
of the 6tifinst, that designed writing series Of
articles upon the 'Conscript System" imposed
upon me an obligation reluctant TO assume,
not only on account of the hopeessnesa of accom-
plishing any real good by the task, but because 2
series of articles upon such subject would not be
read with any interest by your subscribers. 10
meet your expectations, and with sincere desire
TO do all can for the cause of my country l am
willing, however, to contribute some further vie1s
in reference to the duties of those entrusted with
the business of conscription. Without intending
any reflection upon the purity of the motives OF
this class of officers, who need the moral support
of the whole country, ana satisfied that these du-
ties are not being performed, in many instances,
with that vgor which the eS gAn"i~o7 "f So s-''
demand. Let US take an instance as an illustrs-
.tion-of my meaning Every one is familiar with
the ciassifcatons of the arms-bearing men OF the
country under the Act of Congress, 18th February,
1864, and it is rs well known that every able
bodied man between the ages of IL aud 40 is que
to. the regular Confederate service unless ne mas
been detailed according to the regulations pre-
seribed by the.Secretary Of War. These desaila
are for short periods of time, and upon the conui"
ton that the party so favored by the Government
can make himself more useful at home than he
can be with the army in the field These detailed
men we're organized by proper authority into COM
panies and Regiments to assist the RESERVES ir
State defence but eyc9S man between the ages Of
1S and 45 is only entitled TO remain with such de-
tailed organization SO long as the War Department
sees proper to renew his detail. Thes detaiis ~
this class Of persons at first numerous but AZ
tha,oxigencies Of the service required, they were
reduced by refusing renewal, and the parties Or
dered TO the front. And yet, if these companies
were subjected to close Inspection the numoer
of able-bodied men between the ages OF 10 and 40
who would be found in them, Notwithstanding q
revocation of their details, would be astonishing
Thus while Congress has taxed the population oil
the country to the utmost limits OF It's capacity to
bear arms, are the very men it designed for active
field duty being absorbed by commands with winch
thew have no rightful connection. There can De
NO doubt that in every instance in which this has
occurred that the objects and spirit OF the law
above referred to have been defeated The ranks
of our armies in the field have become too much
decimated TO bear The brunt of this unequal con-
test unless they replenished, and therefore 1t
is matter of importance to enforce the law with
rlror. while We have the means of adding to their
strength.
There is only one other to which shall refer in
this connection, and it is the abuse Of receiying
I dessrters into The ranks of these detailed coE-
panies. 1t is an indulgence expressly forbidden
by the orders of the Adjutant General of the Con-
ferate States, and has been productive of no little
mischief by holding out inducements to desertior.
There is nothing SO dscouraghlg to the soldier in
the field, who is faithfully performing his duties
! as to know that deserters from his own ranks are
nermilted to remain at home in perfect security.
Tl,ey have been promised remission of the pun
| ishment due the crime they have committed, and il
their duty to return at once to the ranks they have
forsaken. The pardon has been offered, and they
should be given the chance OF accepting or refus
ing it. The disintegration going on by deserticr
is source of greater danger to our cause than any
other It is an evil thar must be met and remediel
if we desire to preserve our liberties. The alter
natives before us are independence, or slavery anG
chains. am satisfied if the great masses of OIL
people understood the true import OF subjugatioI
that they never could be induced to lay down theil
arms. believe if the public men of the country
were as active and Jealous in their efforts to bring
this matter before the people as they were to in
ducc the States to secede, that the aspect of affairs
would be widely different to-day from what it is
This agency would do more to correct this, the
greatest of all evils, than any. other; but in tllt
absence Of such aid. those intrusted with conscrip
tion have stern duties to perform, and the country
have right to expect that they will be done with
out fear, favor or affection.
BsLros, S. c., April 13, 1865.