Year: 1863




GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH. CAROLINA.
KW HEREAS, 1T HAS BEEN MADE KNOWN TO
w me that O large number of soldiers from armies
are absent from their coors without proper leave in this
the hour OF our greatest need and beng confidently be-
eved that large majority of such, impelled this
course by natural and almost irresistible desire to
and not because of cOwardy determination to leave their
brave comrades TO share all the dangers and hardps Of
the field alone; and whereas, Maj Gen g. W. Smith, in
command of the Department Of BY cnnsen
OF the Secretary of War; has published order declaring
that all who may voluntarily to duty by the 10th
day Of February shall be received into their several
commands with other punishment than forfeiture of
their pay for the time they have been absent without
Nave and declaring further that all who do not so return
by the said 10Th day OF ebSuary SHALL when apprehended
be tried for deseron and upon convection be made to su
fer DEATH


Now therefore, zEBULoN B. VANCE, Governor of
the State of North Carolina do issue this Procama-
ton TO all soldiers from this State, serving in the armies
OF the Confederacy who illegally absent from their
coOrs, commanding them to return to duty with their
comrades and exhorting them TO avail themselves of this
opportunity of saving their rerds from the disgrace and
namy which will cling forever the of deserter
from his cOuntrys cause and themselves from elons
DEATH Many after carrying their countrys flag in tri-
umph through various bloody conflicts and making them
selves rame, of which their chdrcns children might
have been pr3d have oEfcited it all by absenng
themselves at moment when their Stat is invaded
and about to be desolaed by brutal half savage foe
Now Is the time 10 reinstae themselves, by prompt re-
turn to duty IapPea to them stand by their country
yet little longer and not TO suly by deseton the bright
and glorious reputation of the State, which they have
helped TO win hundred bard fought fields and APP
peal to all good and loyal citizens Throughout the State to
give their influence 10 induce these return. Let
unmOved by this appeal to his patriotism aud honor,
suppose that he remain at home with impunty; the
full power Of the State authorities aided need be by the
Conederacy shall be put in force arrest him and bring
him punishment after the 10Th day of February next,
and there shall be for the deserter in the borders of
North Carolina. And let their deserOn by
declaring that they home TO take Of their ames
they will add nothing TO the comforts Of their families by
hidrg like guilty in the woods by day, and by plum
derng their neiGhbors by night they only bring shame
and suffering upon the heads of the innocent and their lit
tie children, when gray headed old men, will have the
finger Of pointed at them and the bitter taunt will
ring in their ears Your father skulked in the woods TO
keep from fighting for his country"


The State is trying to provide food for your fami
lies and each county is making similar provisions aud
your Chief Magistrate promise you that the wife and
child of the soldier whos in the army doing his duty
shall share the last bushe of meal and the last pound of
meat in the State Let every patriot in the land assist
with all his influence in the execution of this proclamation,
and victorious ranks will again be filed and coun
try soon be rid of the enemy.


49,, In witness whereof ZEBULoX b. VANCE,
L s. Governor Captain General aud Commander-n-
~ Chief, hath signed these presents and caused the
great Seal of the State to be affixed


Done City of Raleigh the 26th day of January,
in the year of our Lord, 1868. Z. B. VANCE


By the Governor:


r. Ii. BATTLE, JR.,


Jan. 27, 1865. S~6t