Year: 1863

Whereas have learned with great pain that there
have been atterly numerous desertlons from the ranks
of gallant army and that there are many persons


in the country who ncItc and encourage these uesef-


ons and harbor and conceal these misguided men at
home, instead of encouraging them to return TO duty


Nov, therefore. |, ZEBULoS B. VANCE, Governor of


the State of North Carolina, do issue this my procia
nation commanding all such evil disposed persons to
dc5ist from such base, cowardiy and reasonable con-
duct and warning them that they will subject them
selves indictment and punishment In the civil courts
Of the Concderacy we'll to the everlasting con-
tempt and detestaton of all good and honorable men,


Certainly crime could be greater, no cownrdce
abjcct, 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 to forth In defense OF their
country, vely to desert the coors which they have
sworn to uphold, when a miserable death or a vile,
skulking and ignoMinOus existence must be the ner
table consequences no plea can excuse It, The father
the brother who does it should be shot instead Of
his deluded victim for he deliberately destroys the soul
and manhood of his own flesh and blood And the
is done by him who harbors and conceals the
deserer. For who respects either the the other
What honest will wish to 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 skulkpd iu the woods, the
still Viler coward who aided him, while his bleeding
country is calling in vain for his help? Both
miles, sneaking enemies their country, before
whom open foes will be infinitely preferred. Both
foes to their own kindred and noble coUntrymen
who electrying the world by their gallant deeds,
and ponring out their blood upon the field of battle to
protect hose very men who sapping the Vitas of
our ength. And unto you, deserters, and your
aiders and abettors when peace being made and indie
pendcnce secured these brave comrades who have de-
serted in the hour Of their trial shall return honoed
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 are facing the
enemy do you think ye escape just and damning
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! assured, observ


ing and failing eyes have marked you every
And when the Ovcrj0yed wife welcomes more her
brave and honorable husband to his home, and tells


him how in the long years his absence, in the lonely
hours of the night, you WHO had been his comrades
rudeIy entered her house. robbed her and her children
of their bread and heaped insult and indgnities upon
her deenccless head tbs wrath ofthat heroic husband
will make you regret in the bitterness of your coward


y terror that you were ever born Instead Of few
ycattered militia the land Will be full Of veteran SOL
dicrs before whose honest faces you will not have
courage to raise eyes from the earth. If permit


ted to live in the State at all you will be Infamous.
You will be hustled from the polls, kicked in the
streets, honest jury will not believe you oath
and honest men everywhere will shun you as pest-
cHcc, for he who lacks courage and patriotism have
Qher good quality redeemng virtue. Though ma
of you rejected the pardon heretofore offered you,
and am pot authorized to promise it, yet am assur
eG that will be shot who shall voluntarily
duty. This is the only chance to redeem your
selves from the disgrace and ignominy which you
incurring.


Again our troops have met the enemy and great
and glorious victory has bceu But several thou
sand of soldiers fell in achieving it for Every
man is irceded replace the gallant dead, and pre-
serve unbroken front to still powerful enemy.
Unless dcsertion is prevented strength must de-
part from armies, and deserton never be stop
ped while either through false and mistaken sympa-


thy downright dSloyalty they receive any counten-
protection at home. | therefore appeal to all
good citizens and true patriots in the State to assist
my officers in arresng deserers and to frown down
all those who aid and assist them. Place the brand
upon them and make them feel the scorn and contempt
OF an outraged people. Unless the good and the pa


rioc all over the land arise to arrest this
dangerous cviIi will grow until army is well nigh
ruined. The danger of starvation having happily
passed away--thc approaching and apparently boun-


eous harvest giving evidence of ample supplies for the
coming ycar-our great army in Virginia again ubil-
mighty vict0ry-I am well assured that our
danger lies in the disOrganzation produced by deser-
ton. You can arrest it my countrymen, if you will
but make vigorous effort, if YOU will but bring to
bear the weight of great patriotic and united com
munity i'll aid of our authorities.


In witness whereof, ZEBULoS B. VANCE, Governor
Captain General and Comnander-in Chief ha tn sign
ed these and caused the great seal the
to be affixed.


Done at the city of Raleigh this llth day of May A
D. 1903 L. B. VANCE.
BY the Governor: R. H. BATTLE, Jr, Private Sec'y.


May 10, 1868. 1t