Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-02
From the Houston Texas Telegraph.
STRIKERS AND SKULKERS.

- COUNTY, Nov. l6 1864.
ED TE1EGRAPg-I am an old soldier that is mean not
that am an old but that have been in the army
ever since the Of the since the
st call made in Texas for men TO defend our homes
and tight for the principles Of free government went
with the first company that left old - county, and be-
long to that company STILL and If perciI Providence
spares nv life expect 10 be found there still high
private when the battles Of liberty have been fought and
won or should fate decree otherwise fall at the post Of
honor do not say this in any spirit Of sefnhaton
do claim myself any especial honor credit for
having done simply my duty, and what it Is the duty OF
every other ablebodied young man IN this Contsdeacy 70
do.
sly object in writing this communication ia to address
few simple inquiries to those in authority or to those
whose business it is should be- think TO know in re-
ation to same matters in which in common with thou
sands OF other soldiers who have been and still doing
our duty, feel deeply interested.
list then how Is il that stout healthy young man,
who has been chosen by the people OF his county 10
office that takes him out OF the army can make deputy
another equally able 10 do duty in the army him
self and who has far hked the service entirely BY
sberfuge or anotherand then both stay home
chaadze and speculate and thatwhen the business of
said office does in reality require the services OF one
man three days in month.
How is it that young man who has never been in
the army at all who has been at home ali the time can be
exempted from military service by the little Office OF jus
tice Of the Peacewhe an old soldier who has been in
the army for three years comes home to his large and
helpless family broken down IN health'and who to get
little res5lte from the arduous and dangerous duties Of
the field in order II possible TO regain his health and
that has gone to waste during his absencewhy IT, We
ask that he cannot be exempted by the Office
Cd How is IL that stout healthy young men be
detailed in uuarternaste departments ia this county
who never do anything but stay heme all the time
and speculate fOr themselves and how is il
that we have here dozen perhaps young men
liable to CONSUMPTION who keeping.out OF the army
as detailed agents 10 purchase cotton &C. for Govern
ment who don't buy bale OF cotton nor bnshel Of
corn-nor have for the last ten months if the word
of many of the good citizens OF this county can be de-
pended upon NJ all.
l. 4tL How ia IT, fellow citizens of - county that
many of you, some Of whom wealthy. planters and
whose all il at stake in the issue OF present struggle,
in company with the entire German population of this
county voted at the late August election for young
man stout and healthy, who had been in the
tended be there if he could help it, fol- the Office OF
sheriff in preference to who was in every respect as
well qualified 10 fill said office and who had been in the
army ghting your battles for three years We soldiers
don't understand these things We should like to be in
| formed.
Wa are not going to quit fighting hecause Others do not
do their duty No have already suffered and lost too
much to give up now. We intend toput this war
through. Yes. gentlemen shhkS Of gentlemen you de-
serve 10 he called intend to whip this tight without
yOu There are good and true enough in the army
now who are resolved TO win die TO whip the Yankee
thieves and all the hrengs they can bring But let
tell you this is not all we intend to do. There is deep
seated deermpatiOn among the soldiers of all classes
both officers and privates that those who shk the
need shall find this Coniederacy hard roato travel
when this war is over and our Independence When
we have done with the Yankees and their reng Dutch
we intend to attend to the traitors at epme.
Yours, respectfully
Co. D, 18th Texas Dragons