Year: 1863

Whereas | have learned with great pain that tnere
have been attery numerous deserions from the ranks
of gallant army, and that there are many persons


in the country who ncite and encourage these deser-
tons and harbor and conceal these misguided men at
home, instead of encouraging them to return to duty:


Now, therefore. |, ZEBULoN B. VANCE, Governor of
the State of North Carolina, do issue this my procla-
nation commanding all such evil disposed persons to
desist from such base, cowardy and reasonable con-
dact and warning them that they will subject them
selves indictment and punishment in therlv courts
the Confederacy well to the everlasting con-
tempt and detestation of all good and honorable men.


Certainly crime could be greater, no cowardice
abect, treason more base, than for citizen
of the State, enjoying its privileges and protection
without sharing its dangers, to persuade those who
have had the courage go forth in defense of their
country, vely to desert the colors which they have
sworn to uphold, when miserable death vile,
skukng and gnominous existence must be the inevi-


table consequences no plea can excuse 1T. The father
the brother who does. it should be shot instead of
his deuded vctm for he deliberately destroys the soul
and manhood ofLi own flesh and blood. And the
same is done by him who harbors and conceals the
deerer For who respects either the the other?
What honest will ever wish permit his
brave patriotic daughters, who bore their parts
with credit in this great struggle for independence to
associate, the third and fourth generations
with the vile wretch who skulked u the woods the


still riler coward who aided him, while his bleeding
country is caliRg in vain for his help? Both


mics; sneaking, mean enemies to their country before
whom open foes will be infinitely preferred Both
are foes their kindred and noble countrymen


who eectrifying the world by their gallant deeds


aud pouring their blood upon the field of battle to


protect those very who sapping the yitais of
strength. And woe unto you, deserers and your
aders and abettors when peace being made and indie
pendence secured these brave comrades who have de-


serted in the hour of their trial shall return honored
and triumphant to their homes! Ye that hide your
guilty faces by day, and prow like outlaws about by
night robbing the wife and mother Of your noble de-
tenders of their little means, while they facing the
enemy; do you think ye escape just and damnng
vengeance when the day of reckoning comes? And ye
that shelter conceal and feed these miserable depreda
tors and stimulate them to their Internal deeds think
you that ye will be spared? Nay! rest assured, observ


ing and never failing eyes have marked you every
And when the oveTjoyed wife welcomes more her
brave and honorable husband to his home, and tells
him how in the long years Of his Absence in the lonely
hours of the night, you who had been his comrades
rudey entered her house. robbed her and her children
their bread and heaped Insult and indgnities upon
her defenceess head the wrath ofthat heroic husband
will make you regret in the bitterness of your coward
ly terror that you ever born. Instead of few
scattered militia, the land will be full of veteran SOL
diers, before whose honest faces you will not have
courage to raise your eyes from the earth 1fpermit
ted to live in the State at all you will be infamous
You will be hustled from tire polls, kicked in the
streets, an honest jury will not believe you on oath
and honest men everywhere will shun you pestil-
for he who lacks courage and patriotism have
other good quality or redeeming virtue Though ma
ny of you rejected the pardon heretofore offered you
and am not authorized to promise it, yet am assur-
eG that no will be shot who shall voluntarily re-
turn to duty, This is the only chance to redeem yonr
selves from the disgrace and ignominy which you are
incurring.


again our troops nave met the enemy ana a greal
and glorious. victory has been But several thou
sand Of ouT soldiers fell in achieving it for Every
is needed replace the gallant dead, and pre-
serve unbroken front to still powerful enemy.
Unless desertion is prevented our strength must de-
part from armies, and deseron be stop
ped while either through false and mistaken synpa-
thy downright dsloyalty they receive any counten
mace protection at home. therefore appeal to all
good citizens and true patriots in the State to assist
my officers in arresng deserters, and to frown down
all those who aid and assist them. Place the brand
upon them and make them feel the and contempt
of outraged people. Unless the good and the pa
trotic all the land arise this
dangerous evil wllgrow until our army is we'll nigh
ruined. The dAnger of starvation having happily |
passed away-the approaching and apparently boun- 4
teou harvest giving evidence of ample supplies for the
coming year-onr great army in Virginia again jub |
ant over mighty victoryI we'll assured that our
danger lies in the dsorganzation produced by deser
ton. You can arrest it my counrymen if you will |
but make vigorous effort, if you will but bring to
bear the weight of great patriotic and united
munity in aid of our authorities.


In witness whereof, ZEBULoN p. VANCE, Governor |
Captain General and Commander Chief hath sign |
ed these presents and caused the great seal the State
TO be affixed.


Done at the city of Raleigh this 18th day of May,
D. 1868 T. B. VANa'E
BY the Governor: r Il BATTLE, Jr, Private Secy.


May 10, 1863. It