Newspapers / The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, … / June 13, 1897, edition 1 / Page 7
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THE WILMINGTON MESSENGER: SUNDAY, J UNE 13, 1897. i - 1 r Interesting Extracts From the Correspondence of North Carolina's Famous War GovernorShow- mg muvt nuuij U1C lUilll of His State and the the Field and in Prison. Messenger Bureau, Park Hotel, Raleigh, N. C, June 12. (Special Correspondence.) What a mine of information is to be found in. Governor Vance's letter books. His sturdiness, "his love f or his "North Carolinians" are visible as one looks over the pages. " Here is a typical -letter. It is dated July 5, 1864: . , "General Whiting: Some six weeks ago I addressed a letter to the secreta ry df war in regard to the exemption of D. L. Russell, Jr., county commis sioner for Brunswick. No answer has yet been received and I learn" that young Russell has been ordered by you into camp. Mr. Russell was dismissed the service, was not a conscript until he was enrolled. Previous to his en rollment he received this appointment, 'Which -made him a state officer, 'neces sary to the due administration of 'tlhe laws. In 'accordance with the act of congress and the resolutions of the leg islature of this state, I have given" him a certificate of exemption. . This I can- not recede from, and especially in favor of a government which will not Answer a respectful letter on the subject. I therefore notify you that your offer to arrest Mr. Russell or to disturb hiim in the discharge of his official duties will be taken as a deliberate and unwar ranted usurpation of authority and will be resisted accordingly." Governor Vance Wrote Secretary of War Seddon the same day: "I have waited anxiously for a reply to my let ter in regard to the exemption of Dan iel'L. Russell, Jr., as an officer of this state. None has been received,! but I am told General Whiting has orders to conscribe him immediately. I simply wish to Inform you that I cannot and will not submit to this being done with out resisting it by every means at my command." 1 General Whiiting replied on the 8th, saying: "Your letter of the 5th has been forwarded to the war department and in regard to it, considering the manner in whidh you (have addressed me, you will permit me to injform you that I do not admit the propriety of your animadverting to me upon the government of 'the confederate states or ' its conduct of its correspondence. My own correspondence with the au thorities of the state of North Carolina has "been carried on not only with cour tesy, as may be seen from the record, but wit)h an entire deference to your Wishes in the case of Mr. Russell very much beyond the deserts of that indi vidual in his attempts to evade ser vice." - - The court-martial, it seems, was for Russell's striking an officer. General Whiting wrote a letter, dated July 4th; which was delayed in the mails. In this he said: "The war de partment has decided that the claim on the part of the state to Mr. Daniel Russell cannot be admitted, he having been in, the service already at the date Februaryl7th ) of the act to organize forces 'for the war. That act continued in it all persons belonging to it till the termination.- The exemption clauses in that act de not apply to the class whose ,11 i position bad already been determined. J They apply onlyto those who were not in service, but were made liable by nuiversal express-ion of Sec. 1 of the act and an exception to the operations of that section. The governor's author ity to claim as exempts those in service does not extend to a person in service. I have accordingly notified Mr. Russell that in accordance with the sentence of the court-martial he will be required to select one of the North Carolina companies for service." The following letter to Vance from General R. E. Lee bears date of August 29 1864: "I have frequently been call ed upon to mention the services of North Carolina soldiers in the army of Northern Virginia, but their gallantry and conduct were never more deserv ing of admiration than in the engage ment at Reams Station, on the 25th in stant. The brigades of Generals Cook, MacRae and Lane, the last under the temporary command of General Con -r n -r, advanced through a thick abattis iC felled trees, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, and carried the enemy's works with a steady cour age that elicited the warm commenda tion of their corps and division com manders and the admiration of the army. On the same occasion the bri gade of General 'Barringer bore a con spicuous part in the operations of: the cavalry Which were not less distin guished for boldness and efficiency than those of the infantry. If. the men who remain in North Carolina share the spirit of those they have sent to the field, as I doubt not they do, her defence may be surely , entrusted to their hands." ,. . - The confederate engineer bureau no tified Governor Vance that the Wil mington and Manchester railway was a main linp of communication which the government must keep open, and said 1 1 must have to relay its track, ten miles of rail, from the Wilmingfon, Charlotte and Rutherford railway. This drew a spicy letter from President Robert II. Cowan, of the latter road, Who ' wrote Governor Vance that the VIUU1I1K1171I a"" uiauviKTBici 1 WiLminertan and 'Manchester railroad cannot do the work of the government, that you pass the road over to me and my directors, with proper' authority in the premises, and we will guarantee it shall be done. If you have authority to take ten miles of my road, you have authority to take it all. If you have authority to take my road and give It to the Wilmington and Manchester, you have authority to take that road and give ft to me. If that road cannot do your work I can. I refer you to Hon. George Davis and Alajor Rofoert St ranee, of General Barringer's staff, for anything you may want to know about me." In a letter dated two days later Pres ident Cowan wrote the governor? "If the confederate government will not accept thus proposition, I respectfully suggest that you let it go to South Carolina after those roads which fct is always 'going to take up, biit never DaillCU 1U1 UlC XYlgliid Comfort of His Troops in does." Governor Vance notified Gen eral Gilmer that he would not surren der the road unless the legislature con sented, as Uhe entire road was mort gaged to the state. -: - Under date of September 22, 1864, Vance wrote Secretary of War Seddon: "I learn that 'Lieutenant .Colonel W. H. Cowles, First North Carolina cavalry, has been recommended tfor 'brigadier of Cham bliss' brigade by his superiors. I 'bey leave most cordially and earnestly to second the recommendation of this gallant and most accomplished young officer. In addition to rewarding merit and promoting the good of 'the-service, the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Cowles would furnish grateful evidence' to our people of the intention of the war department ito promote North Car oliinans, when deserving, to the com mand of troops from otfher states to which we have submitted, reversed, so long." Governor Vance" wrote Governor Sey mour, of New York, a letter in which he asked the latter to distribute among North Carolina prisoners in New York stat'e-1,200 pounds sterling, this being sent in three bills of exchange on Col lie & Co., of Liverpool, the state's agents. The leftr to Governor Sey mour expressed admiration for the lat ter's ihigh character and humanity. October 28, 1864, Governor Vance wrote Robert iM. Ould, confederate commissioner for the exchange of pris oners: "You give me the gratifying-inform at ion 'that arrangements have been made for supplying our prisoners north with necessary comforts for the winter and that we would be allowed to pur chase supplies in the northern cities. I desire immediately to make arrange-, ments for supplying the troops of this state, which I can do yery readily, having funds in Europe. Tf I can have an agent north I should greatly prefer having my -brother, General Vance, for this purpose, if the authorities will con- sent. He is now at Fort Delaware, and Ms health is daily giving way from his confinement. As it seems that he cannot foe exchanged I would be much obliged if our government would grant him this privilege and. procure 'tlhe con sent of the enemy. No better man could be found to dispense, the bounty of North Carolina and Ithe confeder- ! - November 15th Governor Vance wrote President Davis: "I deem 5t my duty to address you in regard to the situation'at Wilmington. I have just returned from a visit to the works be low that cfty and find them in excel- ' lent condition so far as I am able to judge. There seems to be nothing wanting but troops. If attacked in strong force I hum'bly conceive that their capture is1 inevitable unless strengthened by at least two brigades of veteran troops. The militia assem bled and to assemble there I fancy will be (totally inadequate to resist a land attack on Fort Fisher, which seems to be the point of real danger. In view of all the facts in the case, of which I presume the commanding general keeps you sufficiently informed, I respectful ly submit that General Lee r should spare a few veterans as a nucleus for the raw troops defending Wilmington, notwithstanding the pressure upon his lines. :: Except 'for the moral effect in volved 'in losing Our capital, I cannot see that Richmond itself is o'f any greater importance to us now than Wilmington. To leave it entirely In 'the nands of militia except the garri son I deem "extremely injudicious." - General Whlti'ng informed Governor Vance that the men employed ait the salt works on the "sounds" near Wil mington, were traitorous., 'He Wanted them all removed and sent "to the army and slaves or free negroes put on. the works, which were in charge of D. G. Worth. Finally, November 16, 1864, the war department, conscripted all the men. IMr. Worth telegraphed the gov ernor: "The men are all at Wilming ton. General Bragg will only allow the teamsters to return to the sound to move property. What shall I do With them and the state's private teams?" To this Givernor Vance replited:; "The men shall not 'be conscribed. Inform General Bragg that you have myorders to retain the'"men and to send as many as necessary 'to remove the property. If he prevents you by force, left me know 'immediately." He also telegraph ed General Bragg: "I ltearn with sur prise that you have seized my salt hand and refuse to permit Jth em to return to the sound to remove prop erty. This is altogether different treatment from what I expected arid I inform you candidly I shall resist by every means in my power. These hands are by the laws of our state not subject to conscription." General Bragg in formed General Whiting that the lat ter had not understood his order, and so all the state property was removed. - - . , "December 27, 1864, Governor Vance was at Wilmington when that city was attacked. 'lie writes a letter to iMrs. James Spence, of (Liverpool, England, in which 'he thanks her for presiding over the North Carolina Stall at a "confederate bazaar" at "Liverpool. He says: "Now that this city Is attacked and that there is a -possibility at least -I j it . - i .Tki.- or a oi our oniy -a-aiiaDie seaiwii- wiu6 , T , , , i -a those who her'e this day are dressing tne wourws and wiping away tne ueam damp from the brows of perishing sol- diers. I cannot adequately praise and bless this sisterhood of charity arid mercy wnicn lends a hnghtness aim glory, to civilization or give you an idea of what it "has done for our ae- voted soldiery." This letter is dated "Headquarters Forces of North Caro- lina, Wilmmgton." ; '. '-. .. number of prisoners of war, some 8,000, January 3, 1865, Governor Vancte tel- ' were suddenly sent here, the govern earraohed iGovwnor irtme-e-r 'VJan I With ment having no other place to send safety disband the Home Guard for a few weeks? They nave to be reorgan ized under the new law and I think this as good a time as any." '.- .. - - - The confederate government appears from the tenor of scores of letters, to have treated North Carolina most un fairly In the matter of running the blockade, and actually forced the state to sell a half Interest in Its own block ade runner, Che! "Advance.". It is fur ther; shown (that this iblookader was forced to take out and bring in cargoes for private parties and there are more or less broad hints of ; speculation. ; nSTSoJS adinj Ativan ce" was captured by a block- I the mine then known as tire "Egrvnt" mine. On the 28th of -Iecember Secreta- ; v2SL Towing spirited answer: "Your Setter with enclosures relative to Che loss of the Advance is received. I stated that the loss of the Advance was due .to the appropriation of her coal for the steam ers of the government. I made this statement of which" you complain, de liberately and upon authority which I regard as reliable, and think I have "been sustained by the facts. To the common heap of coal the Adcanve con tributed, and yet when sue came to sail the government had taken all the coal and she had to go with North Carolina coal.- The coal was actually applied to the use of the Tallahassee, just, as I charged. I call your atten tion to the certificate of Mr. Savage, collector of the port of Wilmington, showing 'there was no gold on the Ad vance when she was captured. I do this because of the appearance of an article in the Richmond Sentinel, said to have been written under the aus pices of the navy department, in whioh it was alleged that 'there was a large amount of gold on this vessel, thenon appearance of which was supposed Jto account in part for her capture. Like you, sir, I do not care to discuss the policy of our government in regard to our armied cruisers and blockade run ners generally. If I did I might cite the recent formidable attack upon Wil mington, from which alone we were delivered by the providence of God, as a full confirmation of my opinions. rCovernor Vance had protested againlst the sending out from WllmangCon of the Tallahassee, declaring it only irri tated the federals and caused attacks on this state. I might ask if one of the three vessels which lately entered Wilmington loaded with bacon was not of greater benefit to the confedera cy, even though ilt was the enterprijse of 'gamblers ithan the destruction of all the enemy's vessels at sea men tioned In the list you enclose. iMy op position to the policy. "of this govern ment 4s not Ibased upon anything fac tious, or any regard for the interest of men who have been 'making fortunes by running the blockade, whether na tive or foreign. I never made objection to their 'being placed under such re strictions as the government thought proper, but why a state struggling for the common good to clothe and provide for its troops in the" pu'bllc service should meet wtbh no more favor than a blockade gambler paisses my compre hension." i January 7th Governor Vance wrote President Davis 'this letters . "I beg leave most cordially to join in the rec ommendation which I take for grant ed has been made "by fais superior offi cers, of Colonel William Lamb, colm marfding Fort Fisher, for promotion. I was near by d bring" the recent attack on ithe defences of Wilmington, and people and soldiers alike were enthu siastic in praise of -his skill and gal lantry. Presuming that the official re ports have done justice tio his soldierly qualities, I mainly desire to assure you that our people would gladly see him made a bridadier general for North Carolina, though not a citizen thereof." General Whiting wrote Governor Vance January 4, 1865, that he needed as large-a force of free negroes as pos sible to work on the forts, and that he desired to let the slaves return to their masters. -He suggested "an . enrolled corps of 1,200 to 1,500 free negroes, prop erly organ ized into companies accord ing to regulations, entitled to furlough, fed clothed and paid." With these ha would guarantee the exemption of slave labor. - '-; '. . - This state after the government had broken up its salt works, hired an en gineer and cars to 'haul salt from Salt ville, Va. The board of public works of Virginia coolly seized this train. The-legislature of this state promptly adopted a resolution denouncing 'this and Governor Vance notified Governor ISmlth, of Virginia, that he had for bidden the exportation of, articles of Virginia upon North Carolina rail ways. January 17th Secretary of War Sed don was notified by Vance, that the North Carolina legislature had directed the purchase of $200,000 worth of cot ton or tobacco aud its shipment for the relief of prisoners of war in north ern prisons, "who are in great suffering and want," . .. -"' - Colonel Peter Mallett, commanding conscripts, reported to December 1 1864, that there Were in ithe state ex empt from military service 5,133 state officers and 7,885 by reason of disa bility. : February 1,1865, Governor Vance wrote General Bradley T. Johnson the following letter: : "Most distressing ac counts reach me of the suffering and destitution of the Yankee prisoners . un der your charge in the prison at Salis bury. If the half be true it is disgrace ful to our humanity and will provoke severe retaliation. I hope, however, it- is not so bad as represented, but lest it be so I hereby tender you any aid in my power to afford to make their condition more tolerable. I know the srreat scarcity of food which prevails, but shelter and warmth' can certainly be provided and I can spare you some clothing if the Yankees will deliver as much to North Carolina troops in northern prisons. Please let me hear from you." February 8th General John C. Breckinridge secretary of war, wrote that this letter had been forward ed to him and that he had directed an inspection to be made of the prison and I had given such instructions to the in- snectinsr officer as would enable him "to 5 mrrprt the evils eomolained -of. That day Governor Vance received the foi lowing letter from Captain G. W. I'Tinnth! "fieneral Johnson has been aDsent for over a week and I will give you a short statement. The C s. pris J on When established at this place was f contemplated for confederate prisoners only, buildimrs and sufficient ground being purchased for that purpose. About the 5th of November 1864, a large them. The grounds were enlarged and such preparations as could be made were arranged for their reception. A short time after their arrival tents were issued and now they are all under shel ter of some sort. The number of pris oners confined here has reached as high a figure as 10,000. When sent here they were in extremely bad condition. Wood in sufficient quantity is issued them. Only two days have they been without it and then unavoidable circumstances preven ted its issue. The issue of wood is regulated in a measure by the weath er. J In extreme days they receive more than when the weather is mild. As ev idence that they have plenty, they offer to sell and do sell, to the sutler wood for his store, in exchange for tobacco. He informs me that more is offered him than he buys or has use for. The mat ter of food receives the earnest atten tion of the commanding officers. The prisoners regularly receive one pound good bread, one pint soup, besides small issues of meat or sorgum some times small quantities of both. As to clothing their condition is truly deplor able, most of them having been prison ers some six or nine months. The con federate government cannot issue cloth ing to them, and none has been re ceived at this post from the north. Gen eral Johnson in a communication to commissioner of exchange Ould, in the early part of January, called attention to their condition in this respect, which he set forth in the fullest terms and re quested that his letter be forwarded to the federal authorities. Your generous proposition will ho doubt be readily agreed to by the federal government. As soon as General Johnson returns ' I will lay your communication before him and he will do all he can to effect its consummation. Ten wells are in the prison, which afford them water. In addition they are permitted every day to bring water in barrels from a neigh boring creek. No stream of water runs through the prison. This is unfortu nate. But a removal of prisoners . to Columbia is contemplated and all im provements, buildings, etc, have been prohibited by General Winder. Gener al York, who has visited most of the prisons south, recruiting, iassures me of the superiority of this. In consequence of the lack of transportation and the damages to the railways of late the en ergy of the officers of the commissary and quartermaster's departments has been subjected to no mean tests, but the prisoners have . not suffered for wood or rations. An inspector from your excellency will receive every facil ity to visti the prison." There is a. post script to this letter, which says: "Since writing the above a telegram 1 has been received saying that shoes, blankets, etc., have been shipped from Richmond and federal! officers are nowl on their way here to superintend their distribu tion." The guarding of these prisoners was done by Senior Reserves. Captain Booth says 'the duty, is onerous on them but is caused by the frequent and numerous desertions." February 12th General Bradley T. Johnson, commanding Salisbury pris on, wrote the governor this letter: "I acknowledge personally your liberal of fer. No one can feel more acutely than I the condition of the prisoners of war here. It is disgraceful to our country. Captain Booth's letter showed you they were well supplied as to food and fuel, but they suffer for clothes and shelter. General Winder proposed removing them before Christmas and therefore forbade any buildings to be erected here. A large per cent have therefore ived in holes in the ground. Were I to attempt to erect barracks, spring would come on before they, could "be finished. I must therefore try to get tents. Can you-lend me or procure for me in Raleigh 150 or 200 wall tents? If so pray send them on at once. I re cently visited Richmond for the main purpose of pressing on our authorities our duties to ourselves and these peo ple, laying before them the terrible suf fering and mortality among them. I have purchased from the federal offi cer for distributing goods in. Richmond 3,500 blankets, which will be here to morrow, with the tents tneir conamon will be tolerable, but nothing can re lieve it save speedy exchange. I have from Vice President Stephens that Gen eral Grant is willing to receive from us 3,500 a week. I urge the immediate de livery of all prisoners in North Car olina and South Carolina. If not the prisoners of Florence will have to be marched through the country to Ra leigh, which will expose your people to more depredations than from the march. of -a hostile column. I beg you to join with me in urging the -confederate au thorities to consent to an immediate de livery of these prisoners at the most convenient point. Grant proposes to take his men and deliver ours, both par ties to be on parole. I think he never intends to exchange them so as to al low our men to go back to our army. On this our authorities may stick, but we ought to agree to it at once. The prisoners here eat our rations and keep men out of the field to euard them. They are a terrible burden. It would be better vto send them home at once on parole. But the men we get back will go . home, reinvigorating the population for the war, work, help to raise pro visions and in case of emergency de fend themselves by guerilla war, . of which right no parole can deprive'them. It would be better to have them in our own army, but failing that let us have them at the plow, with the rifle in the fence corner. I press this upon you.for if these people are not turned over -to their own authorities they will be press ed back into North Carolina, which will have to subsist three armies, the con federate, the federal and the neutral, more terrible than either." The last twenty pages of this letter back of 1864-5 are crowded with impor tant things. February 20, 1865, General Lee calls on Governor Vance to give General Bragg every man possible. The governor telegraphs that he has called out every man liable to duty in the state. General Lee calls on him to de stroy provisions. Vance replies that he can't do this without a cavalry force. He telegraphs to General Bragg on the 25th at Magnolia, "Please Inform me of progress of enemy. I desire to move stores and am waitng for information." ' sJ February 14 th Vance issued tuspfoc- lamation announcing the fall of Wil mington, and also the failure of the "peace conference which met at Fort- res Monroe. February 22th he wrote to John White, North Carolina commis sioner at London, that Wilmington was captured and blockade running stopped. He then said: ''Nothing re mains but to close up - our affairs and wait for a chance. What funds we have in England should be placed in safety to aid in the final settlement of our-indebtedness. " Our goods in Europe or the West Indie I leave you to dis pose of in any way deemed best, con sulting Mr. Flanner and Mr. Collie. You may also relieve Mr. Flanner of his agency from this date. Mr. Collie who bears this will give you the military news, it is baa enougn, uoa Knows February 26th the legislature adopted a resolution opposing the policy of arming slaves as soldiers. February 24th Major Hoge of the con- ; federate war department arrived witlf a request from -Commisary General SL ment an its' reserve supplies of provi sions, or their sale. 'The governor at I once issued a call to the people of the state, urging that every citizen who could do so should pledge himself to furnish the rations of one soldier for six months, without designating any particular " soldier, and suggesting the immediate delivery of eighty pounds of meat and ISO pounds of flour, or their1 equivalent In beef or meal, to the near est commissary agent. General Joseph E. Johnston March 1st expressed a desire to change the gauge of the. North Carolina railroad to five feet. Governor Vance that day- tele graphed him "How far do you wish to bring the wide gauge? I do not want it further east than Salisbury unless great- necessity requires it." He also telegraphed Major General Gilmer at Charlotte: "How far do you wish to alter the gauge of the North Carolina road? I object to its being done east of Salisbury. I don't wish the connec tion broken with the west," General J. E. Johnston replied "The change of gauge was ordered by the war department. It is made by an of ficer who is under my orders." The next day General Johnson sent another telegram: "I find that not the war part ment but General Bouregard order ed the widening of the railroad. I con sider the extension of this work to Dan ville a military .necessity." General Gil mer telegraphed: "It is important to alter gauge at Greensboro and Dan ville. I beer you will infernos no re jection." General R. E. Lee telepraph- ea: -me Q. . M. general and I agree with General Johnston in thinlHntr if all imperative that the widening of the gauge should - continue to Danville if possible." - March 3rd Governor Vanw t Air graphed General Gilmer: "I positively object to widening: erauere cominer Mt of Salisbury, unless I am permitted the same control over the forasre train which the law gives me over the North uaroiian roads." That verv dav the governor wrote General Gilmer his rea sons for objecting to the change of gauge east of Salisbury . They weret "1st, it breaks my connection with the west, where I must . remove mv stores and- public records in case Raleigh is threatened, compelling me to break bulk twice and lpaviner itia nn nnwor rvf controlling: transnortation In the hands of the new company which will occupy ine roaa. zna, Should Sherman, as is most likely, unite with' Schofield nnd advance upon Greensboro from this di rection all of the rolling' stock In North jariina crowded upon Greensboro for safety would be dest roved, while the South Carolina, rolling stock would be safe, having the road open behind it. I do not understand that i't is the inter est of North Carolina to make the sac rifice of her own property to save that of South Caroliina, I cannot see how the extending: of the wide eraus-ft to Greensboro is a 'military necessity. The 11 a m . a rouing stock or me state it seems to me is amply sufficient to transport every thing desired between Salisbu rv nnri Greensboro, and by widening the gauge so rar you win render idle as much Stock as VOU WOUld train and endnntrer much more. Until further reasons are assigned therefor I must adhere to my objection." . : ' .' ;-" March 3rd Governor Vance telecranh- eded General Bragg at Goldsboro: "I hope you will induce all slave-owners in Euplin, New Hanover and Onslow to remove immediately all able-bodied slaves in this direction and will afford them all necessary aid in so doing. If necessary I will sustain you in remov ing by force all such slaves as will like ly afford recruits to the enemy. If the owners cannot support them the gov ernment can usefully employ them.." March 7th he telegraphed General Bragg: "If the government will fur nish twenty-two miles of iron and a few hundred hands, the railway to Deep River can be finished in fifteen days. I advise that the iron be taken below Magnolia and that the effort be made." - ". ' - March 8th General Joe Johnston tel egraphed Governor Vance: "To make a prompt movement to meet the ene my threatening your capital .1 need fifty additional wagons and teams to transport supplies to meet the emer gency. Can you assist me in having them collected-in the vicinity of Ra leigh and Smithfield at the earliest pos sible, moment.". Governor. Vance re plied: "I. can have fifty wagons, most ly two-horse, by this day week, if you will give authority to impress a few country wagons for post duty. The state has no authority to impress." March 8th he telepraphed the com mandant at Fayetteville: "You have taken the liberty of impressing my wa gons without my permission. I send them back for state goods and notify you to keep your hands off them." Under date of February 24th General R. E. Lee wrote the governor: "The state of despondency that now prevails among our people is producing a bad effect upon the troops. Desertions are becoming very frequent and there is good reason to believe that they are occasioned to a considerable extent by letters written to the soldiers by their friends at home. In the last two weeks several hundreds have deserted from Hill's corps and as the divisions from which the greatest number of deser tions have taken place are composed chiefly of troops from North Carolina they furnish a corresponding propor tion of deserters, I think some good can be accomplished by the efforts of in fluential citizens to change public sen timent and cheer the spirits of the peo ple. It has been' discovered , that de spondent persons represent - to their friends in the army that oyr cause is hopeless and that they had better pro vide for themselves. They state that the number of deserters is so large In the several counties that there is no danger to be apprehended from the home guards. The deserters generally take their arms with them. The great er number are from regiments from the western -part of the state. So far as the despondency of the people occasions this sad condition of affairs I know of no other means of removing ft than by the counsel and exhortation of promi nent citizens. If they would explain to the people that the cause is not hope less, that the situation of affairs, though critical, is critical to the enemy as well as to ourselves; that he has drawn his troops from every other quarter to accomplish his designs against Richmond and iis defeat now would result, in leaving nearly all our territory open to us; that this great result can be accomplished if all will work diligently and zealously, and that his successes are far less valuable In fact than in appearance, I think our sorely-tried people would.be induced to make one more effort, to bear their suf ferings a little longer, and regain some of the spirit that marked the first two years of the war. If they will I feel confident that with the blessing of God what seems to be our greatest danger will prove the means of deliverance and safety. I trust you will do all in your power to help us in this great emer gency." March 2nd Governor Vance re plied, saying: "Yours has been re ceive giving me the distressing news of the increase of desertion from our armies. I had heard from other sources of this defection of our troops and was already too well aware that the cause of it was to be found in the general public despondency. I inaugurated a series of public meetings In this state by my recent proclamation, for the purpose of reviving public sentiment and though many have been held and many more will be held, yet the near and triumphant approach of the enemy has so alarmed the timid and so en grossed the loyal in preparation for his coming that I fear they will hardly have their proper effect. I have my self been so busy in trying to organize my militia and secure my vast public stores that I have only been able to address the people at two or three points. Rest assured, however, gener al, that I am fully alive to the impor tance of the crisis and whatever man can do in my situation shall be done. I shall now order out the home guard in every county and keep tt at work arresting deserters. In many counties, however, they are necessarily inffi- cient, from the great number of the de serters and the natural fear of the de struction of their property, etc. If you could send me as many as two regi ments of cavalry, by quartering them in the midst of these disaffected dis tricts and foraging upon the friends of the deserters, they could not only ar rest many but could recruit themselves and horses, restore "confidence and in spire with courage the local forces. I earnestly recommend this action, gen eral, and think in the long run it would not weaken your army. I think our people will respond liberally to the ap peal for supplies which I have just pub lished this moming at the instance of the secretary of war. The first answer made to it, two. hours after its appear ance in the morning papers, was from a poor widow . of this city, who, hard pressed to live in these distressing times, as I know she is, came yet to offer me two pieces of bacon and a barrel of meal. Such offerings on the sacred altar of our country hallow our cause and I, hope will secure God's blessing upon it." March 9th General Lee replied to this letter as ;-t ollowsr "I return you my sincere thanks for your zealous ef forts in behalf of the army and the cause. -I have read with pleasure and attention your proclamation and. ap peal to the people, as also extracts from your addresses. I trust you will infuse into, your fellow citizens the spirit of resolution and ; . partiotism which 'inspires your own action. I have now no cavalry to spare for the pur pose you mention. I think the sugges tion a very good one and- regret I did not receive it earlier. I have sent a force of infantry under Brigadier Gen-. era! N. D, . Johnson to guard the line of the Roanoke and operate as far as practicable in the adjacent counties to arrest deserters. Another detachment of 500 men under Colonel McAllister has been sent to Chatham and Moore coun ties, in which the bands of deserters are represented to be very numerous. They are instructed to take no prison- ers among those deserters who resist with arms the civil or military author ities. I hope you will raise as large a force of local troops to co-operate with them as you can and think the sternest , course is the best with the class I have referred to. The immunity which these lawless organizations afford is a great cause of desertion and they cannot be too sternly dealt with. I hope you will be able to aid General Johnson,, who needs ' all the reinforcements you can give him, If he can check the progress of General Shermanthe effect would be of the greatest value. . I hope the late success of General Bragg, near Kin ston, will revive j the spirits of the people and render your labors less ar duous. The conduct of the widow whom you mention deserves the high est commendation. If all our people possess her spirit our suecess I should feel to be assured." 1 The last letter in the book bears date March 17th and is to Secretary of War Breckinridge; It is as follows: "I have been , informed that certain communi cations of the utmost importance to the cause of the confederacy have been submitted to congress in secret session,- by the president and the several heads of-departments. I have also been in formed that their nature was such as to render it entirely proper and indeed, rightful that I as governor of North Carolina should be informed of their contents. I have therefore the honor to most respectfully request a copy .of said papers if not deemed Inconsistent with the public good, and have sent the bearer, Major James H. Foote, A. A. G., a discreet and loyal gentleman. to receive them should you deem It ad visable to comply with my request." THE SHIP'S BELT. It 1 Closely Identified With the Whole Career of the Ship Lieutenant John M. Ellicott, U. S. N., writes an article for June St. Nicholas, on "What Is Told by the Bell," In which he says; . , ' Nothing In a ship becomes so closely identified with her4throughout her whole career as the ship's bell. Officers and crew come and go; masts, decks, engines and boilers become old, and are replaced by new ones; but from the day. that she first glides into the water the same ship's -bell remains always a part of her, mark ing her progress all over the world, and finally going down with her to a lonely 1 grave at the bottom of the sea, or sur viving her as a cherished souvenir .of her existence and achievements. On a man-of-war the. bell is usually inscribed with her name and the date of her launching; 'and, as it is probable that It may ' some day become a memento of a glorious history, the bell is often the subject of special care : in casting or se lection. Sometimes the hundreds of work men who have built the great ship con tribute each a silver coin to be melted -and molded into a bell which shall be the token of their love for the object of their creation and their Interest in her future career.- Often the people of the city or state after which a man-of-war is named may present to her. a magnificent bell appropriately ornamented and in scribed with words of good will and good wishes. Such a bell is usually presented with ceremony after the ship goes Into commission. . j . Ships' bells In 'general are made of bronze, like other'' bells. The addition of silver in their composition gives them a peculiarly clear and musical tone. .They are placed in such a position on the upper deck that they may be heard from one end of the ship to "the other, and are usually near the:' mainmast or at the break of the forecastle. One peculiarity exists in a ship's bell which is necessary . on account of her motion, at sea. The tongue is hung- so that it can swing in only one direction. If it were hot so the bell would be continually ringing as the " ship rolled and pitched. The direction in which the tongue can swing is another Important point. If it were athartehips the bell would ring at every heavy roll of the ship; and if , It were fore and aft the bell would ring, at every deep pitch; so the direction in which the tongue can -swing is nearly half-way around between' these two,.
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
June 13, 1897, edition 1
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