Journal and confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-19
TO the People Of the State Of
South Carolina.
HEADQUARTERS, '
Columbia, May 2,.1S65. j.


South Carolina.
ysylIE SURRENDER OF TIE ARMYUN-
Il DER the command of Gen. Lee in Fir.
ginia; has deem followed by the surrender of
the army under tho command of Gen. Johston
in North Carolins. 10 these armies, South
Carolina has contributed, with very iqconslds
cratie exceptions, her entire male population.
The brave men in these armies who have
survived the bloody war of the past four years,
are now returning home, as prisoners Of war,
on their parole and unable again to take up
their arms until the conditions have been per-
formed upon which their captivity has been
terminated. =
The Government of the Confederate States,
il the creation of which South Carolina united
will her sister States, has suspended its civil
and military authority, and the high duty Of
providing measures for the welfare Of its citi-
zcl,s, by stern necessity, has been developed
upon the Government Of the State.
In thissnncxpectcd termination of the active
powers Of Government, in peace and in WAT,
which. South Carolina granted to the common
Government of the Confederate Stairs, circum,
stances have rendered The condition Of this
State one Of peculiar embarrassment. Deeply
suffering from tic Consequences of the war, in
many respects, in nome is that suffering moro
peculiarly trying than in the misery which,
now, affects considerable portion of its .popu-'
ation; which threatens larger portiop,> and.
may involve the whole Of it in the suffering
which want, approaching starvation, has pro-
duccd and will produce. The lrge supplies
contributed to the support of the armies of the
Confederation had been given at time when
abundance enabled the population to- bear its
withdrawal without aggravated suffering. But
the great destruction OF means Of subsistence
at the present timc and the difficulties of Sc
curing it in the future by the next, crop, had,
even. before the reverses whicE befel the armies.
of the Confederation, satisfied all that it would
be impossible to part with the supplies which
had been gathered for the armies, without de-
stroying the sppport.of the population, in many
portions Of the State And attempts were made
to inform the authorities Of the Confederate
Government, that not only the apprehension
but the certainty Of evil consequences would
prevent the removal Of alrsuch supplies. III
With the dissolution of the armies Of the
Confederation, the necessity for these supplies
has ceased; with the reno Val of that necessity
arises the stronger obligation upon the author
tiles Of the State, to preserve these supplies for
tile mitigation Of the suffering of the PEOPLE Of
the State. To that cpd, therefore, it is now
declared thal all subsistence stores and proper
ty of the Confederate States within the limits
Of the State, should be turned, over to and
accountcdfor by tle agents Of the State ap-
pointed for that purpose The subsistence
and other stores to, be used for the rciefof the
people Of the State, and the other property of
whatever kind to be held for the common
benefit Of the State, and subject to such distri-
button as may be hereafter determined upon
by the. proper authorities. of the State
1t will be recognized as duty in the high
est degree obligatory upon the agents Of the
State who will receive thege supplies, to pro:
vide out of them freely to the eSsoldiers Of this
and other States passing through our limits who
may need aid. Subject to this. claim, all such,
supplies will be held for. the. purpose of fur
nishipg subsistence and supports to the thou