Year: 1863




The following correspondence, with which we
have been furnished for publication by Gov. Vance,
is alike credtabTe to that functionary and to the
soldier and his father. The soldier, influenced by
his naturally strong yearning for home, absents
himself from his regiment without leave and makes
his appearance, travel-worn and downcast at his
fathers gate The old man meets him with tears
ofjoy, but those tears are changed to grief
as he learns that his is absent without leave
lie chides him for his conduct and tells him to
turn and stand by his colors to the last The son
receives the reproof with meekness-repents of his
offence, and writes to the Governor asking pardon
and passport to return to his regiment. The par
don is granted and the passport furnished and we
have no doubt by this time this noblehearted soldier
is again with his regiment strengthened in resolu-
ton by the ordeal through which he has passed. and
prepared to do and suffer for his country to the last
The annals of Greece and Rome furnish no example
of patriotism brighter purer than that exhibited
by the father of this soldier And if all absenees
and deserters were treated with the mingled firm
ness and kindness which led this soldier to repent
of his error and which has returned him to his reg
iment descrtions would be less frequent, and many
who are now absent would go back to their regi
ments better men, and more determined than ever
to stand by their colors We repeat what we have
often said to soldiers, nothing can justify deser
serton. There are fewer desertons it is true, from
North Carolina regiments .han from those of other
States but we sorry to know that there are any
Soldiers your State has pledged herself to this war;
Her honor is at stake. When she says come home
come but not before. She watches over you with
the solictude of mother and her heart beeds when
you suffer. When you are wronged, she labors
through her Governor, who has been soldier him.
self, to remedy your wrongs. The night may be
long, and the prospect now and then gloomy but
the morning must come sooner or later. Desertion
neither saves nor helps. Whatever your wrongs,
whatever your motives, whatever your opinions
about the war, desertion will only aggravate your
situation. This is common sense. You are in the
keeping of your State. She will be true to her al
lies to the last but in the end she will be true to
herself If the cause succeeds as we hope it will
you will return with flying colors, and the shouts
of thousands will greet you as you place your feet
once more on your native soil; but if the cause
should fall your State will know it in time, and will
provide for you. Therefore, while she says stay,
stay; when she says return return, but not BEFORE
though a thousand batteries should frown along
your path


LINCOLN Co., N. c., June 16, 1868.
Ercellency, Coo. q. B. Vance:


SIR:-It is with sorrow | communicate to you,
this morning. the contents of this letter. but see
no other alternative; it is the only way for ever
to gain the affection of my friends Sir, l have
brought on myself disgrace and the contempt of my
friends as long live, by absenting myself from
my company without leave got home the 18th
of this month My old gray-headed father met me
at the gate with joy-happy to see me. After pas
sing the usual compliments, he asked me if | was
on furough. l told him | not. The old man
broke into tears, and told me l could not stay with
him, that must go and join my regiment l re-
piled to him, intended to do So did not come
home to stay. He then told me if l would go back
he wouldn't have me arrested, but if not he GER
tanly would / told him | wanted some clothes
and pair of shoes He gave me pair of shoes,
and told me he intended to send me such things as
| needed, and asked me why didn't stay and wait
for furlough? Ireplied Fhadn't been home in so
long, l wanted to see them all once more. He re,
Piled " / had much rather never to have seen you
than for you to come home in that way" He asked
me if hadn't seen the Governors proclamation
told him had not. He then got the paper
"See here-read this, my son; this teaches you
what fruits desertion brings on" Now" says he,
"you are ruined-undone forever. This sort of
conduct will never do; you must return, and that
Immediately" promised him | would &C.,"
says he, land stand by your colors until you fall
or until your country is free" Governor this is
lesson taught me never can forget. 1 am actually
sorry done So 1 will promise you l never will
do so any more. 1 beg your pardon. l want to
return to my regiment, if you please. Give me
pass or something of the kind to show in order
that can get back without being arrested. Par
don me for my transgression; find the way of
the transgressor is hard. 1 give you my word and
honor a man that never will do so any more.
This is the first time, and it is the last will go
and join my fellow-soldiers and remain with them
until the ends, let that be sooner later, if
live. If you will pardon me, will be more than
thousand times obliged, and feel myself under in
Vulnerable obligations to you for so doing. If not,
please send me passport or something Of the kind,
so that l can get back to my regiment don't
want to go under guard if | can help it if can't,
will go anyhow, and abide by the consequences,
be they what they may. have served two years,
and will serve as many more if necessary. did
not think of the evil; if had have known once
what l now do, would'have remained there until
now. hope Governor, you will grant me this
forgive me for so doing The God that rules Hea-
ven and earth knows my heart pray He may
forgive me. must close by saying, rem ain your
most obedient servant -


STATE OF NORTH, OARoLINA,)


L