The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-25
Especial Correspondence
Messenger Bureau, Park Hotel,
Raleigh. y. G., June 10

Nance's war letter books, 1t is interest
ing to note that the first letter bears
date September II, 1862, and is to Sec
rotary Of War George w. Randolph. 1t
is as follows: Il respectfully request
thai you will not in the future confer
authority on persons to enlist soldiers
within the limits of this state unless
the applicant be endorsed by this de-
partment. Permit me to inquire whether
late enlistments Of citizens or
this state residing beyond the
Blue Ridge mountains, mad un-
der the authority Gas represent
ed Of General L. Kirby Smith,
commanding department Of East Ten
nessee, etc. were authorized by you?
If authorized by you, l request that
such authority be revoked; if not, that
you cause such 'enlistments to be dis
continued. l make the above requests
for the following reasons: Much con-
fusion has been produced. Many SOL
diers have been enlisted in the confed-
crate service without this state having
been credited with the same in her
quota of troops. The operation Of the
act of congress known as the cOnscript
act is much hindered and it will be
difficult, if not impossible, for this state
to fill it's Trimmed regiments already in
service"
On the same day, in compliance with
a request of Colonel Peter Mallett Cat
the camp of instruction here, known as
Camp HOlmes), Governor Vance wrote:
Il have ordered the militia officers of
the state to enroll and bring in the
cOnScripts."
On the 18th the governor issued a
proclamation setting forth that certain
persons were using their influence to
prevent obedience to the 'cOnscript
law" and notifying such persons that
their act was reason and that they
must not hope to escape it's penalties.
In a letter to Hon.. Weldon N. Ed
wards, Of ItidgeWay, dated September
Is, 1862, Governor Vance said he joined
in a call for a state convention because
"eXtortiOn and speculation hav at
tanned such proportions that l find on
investigation it will be impossible to
clOthe and shoe our troops this winter
without mourning a most enormous
outlay and submitting to the most out
rageOus prices. The cotton and wooden
factories have advanced their prices to
an unheard of extent and refuse to
make contracts which would prevent
their raising them next week if they
saw proper. The price of common shirt
ing for example,i is so cents a yard. 1t re-
quires 1000, 900 yards to furnish each
soldier two shirts and two pairs draw
ers, which is the winter allowance.
This, you will see, amounts to $500, 900,
simply for underclOthing. By c%alcula-
ton, it appea that % cents a yard
for cotton cloth will actually pay the
mill owners nearly 300 per cent. The
legislature, if it met would be
cramped and hampered by the
forms Of the constitution. The
alone can properly a k the
matter in hand and saw our country
and our army from suffering and ruin
The governor then earnestly urged Mr..
Edwards to reassemble the convention.
The confederate quartermaster's de-
partment, finding that the state was
making clothing for it's troops, notified
Vance of it's desire to have
all the contracts and plants transferred
to the confederate states.
September 10, 1862, J. M. Worth state
salt commissioner, at Wilmington, made
his first report. This vas that since
March 1, 1862, about 800 bushels a day
had been made. He was planning to
run the salt water two n one-half
miles into the woods. so as to get 1T
near fuel to make fires under the evap-
Grating pans. He employed 200 men
liable to military duty, but exempted
by the state convention. and says
"about one-third of them are Quakers
who, at my suggestion, Governor CLARK
directed me to take at the time or the
draft another third are men who furnish
their own teams and the remainder are
men who are of weak constitutions and
men who are afraid Of the board Of
and would be Of no use to the
army and are Of little use to me- Gov
ernor Vance replied that the quantity
made was too small, and wanted 1000
bushels a day made.
Waterhouse & Bowes built and equip
ped a powder mill on Crabtree creek,
near Raleigh. Governor Vance ad-
yanced $25. 900 for it. The nitre and
offered to furnish this firm
with 5000 pounds of refined nitre each
week. This cost SO 1-S cents per pound.
October 9, 1862, the governor asked
the secretary of war to allow the for
nation of companies of partisan rang
ers in counties in his state in posses
sion of the federal troops.
October s, 1852, Sheriff High, of Wake,
notified the governor of the death of
Henry w. Miller, member Of the house
for Wake
Judge George Howard was ordered to
hold a special term of court at kenans-
willie to try four negroes for rebellion"
October 10th a letter from John NJ.
Worth told the governor Of the death
from yellow fever of the formers son.
This caused the almost entire suspen-
sion of the state salt works.
The governor wrote F. & H. Fries, at
Salem: II have seen with regret and
modification your note to Captain Gar
rett, a Q. M, in which you say you
canno comply with the provisions of
5he exeIe ption law requiring manufac-
Hurers to furnish goods at IS per cent.
profit ovsy the cost of production, and,
therefore, declining to sell the state
more cloth for supplying the wants of
QUA brave soldiers in the field. 1t is
Y1nfnr j. CanCa Pnnr mon