Year: 1863

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF N0RTH-CAR0LINA.
NNT HEREAS, 1T HAS BEEN MADE KNOWN TO
w thut large number of soldiers from our armies
absent from their cOOrS without leave IN this
the hour of greatest need and being confidently be-
eved that large majority Ot such, were lmpeed 10 ns
course by a natural and almost irresistible desire TO
their homes and friends after 50 long an absence,
and because Of cowardy determination To leave thele
brave comrades to share oil the dangers and o
the field alone and whereas, Maj Gen. e. W. Smith, IN
command of the Department Of North Carolina BY consent
of the Secretary of War; has published order declaring
that all who may voluntarily return to duty by the 10th
day Of February next shall be received into their
commands with other punishment than forfeiture OF
their pay for the time they have been absent without
leave and declaring further that all who do not so return
by the said 10th day Of February shall when apprehended
be tried for desertOn upon CONVECTION be made TO SUI


Now therefore, ZEBULON B. VANCE, Governor Of
the State of North Carolina do issue this my procsma-
ton to all soldiers from this State serving in the armies
of the COnfederacy who Illegally absent from their
c0Ors commanding them to return to duty with their
comrades and exhortng them to avail themselves OF this
opportunity Of saving their rlerdsrom the disgrace ana
namy which will cling forever TO the name of deserter
from his countrys and themselves from elons
death. Many, after carrying their countrys nag IN tr-
umph through various blOudy conflicts and making them
selves a name of which their chdreu's children might
have been justly proud have forfeited all by absenng
themselves at moment when their own 81 ate is invaded
and about be desolaed by brutal half savage foe
Now the time to reinstae themselves, BY prompt re-
duty. appea to them to stand by their country
yet little longer and not to suy by deserton the bright
aud glorious reputation of the State which they have
helped to win hundred bard fought fields; and sp-
peal 10 all coed and loyal citizens Throughout the Stale 10
give their influence to induce these to return Let no
unmoved by this appeal to his patriotism and honor
oppose that he remain at home with mpunity the
f power of the State authorities aided if need be by the
Conederacy shall be put force to arrest him and bring
him to punishment after the 10th day of February next
and there shall be for the deerter in the borders OF
North Carolina And let their desertion by
declaring that they home to take Of their amles
they will add nothing to the comforts of their families by
hiding like guilty in the woods BY day, and by plum
derng their neighbors by night they only bring shame
and suffering upon the beads of The innocent and their lit
tle children when gray headed old men, will have the
finger of pointed at them and the bitter tauut viii
ring in their ears Your faher sEuked in the woods to
keep from fighting for his country"


The State is trying to provide food for your fam
lies and each county is making similar provisions and
as your Chief Magistrate promise you that the wife and
child of the soldier who!s in the army doing his duty
shall share the last bushe of meal and the last pound OF
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 our coun
try be rid of the enemy.


,-- In witness whereof ZEBULoN B. VANCE, our
L S. Governor. Captain General spd Commander-in-
~ Chief hath signed these presents and caused The
great Seal of the State TO be affixed.


Done at City of Raleigh, the goth day of January
in the year Of our LORD, 1868. H. b. VANCE.


By the Governor:


R. Il. BATTLE, JR,


Private Secretary


Jan. 81, 1868. s-6t