From The Greensborough Patriot
March 6, 1862 – Pg. 1
For the Patriot.
Camp Fisher, Newbern, N. C.
February
23, 1862.
Mr.
Editor:--After the late disastrous news from the west was received by our men
in this camp, their faces seems to wear a serious
calm. A spirit—a determination—to
conquer of die infuses the bosom of every man.
The only solicitude felt is that those dearer to us than life may want
for our cares during our absence, which we must all hope will not be the
case. I regret that one of the men in my
charge, and a better soldier is not in the service than he, has to day appealed
to me to do something to prevent his children from being bound by the
Court. His family are not now residents
of Guilford,
but were at the time of his enlistment.
I know that if the Ladies of Guilford, (and many thanks to them fro the
liberal contributions which they have made us too numerous to notice here) had
it in their power, no soldier’s wife or children, however humble they might be
would suffer for the necessaries of life.
In
looking over the news which I occasionally learn from home, I am sorry to see
that the same spirit of speculation among a certain class is alive, when they
were at first the men who most strongly advocated secession and war; but now
would throw the last morsel of bread from the plate of a soldier’s child for a
half dime. How long will this state of
affairs be submitted to?—How long will the true men of the country, and the
friends of their country’s soldiers families tamely stand by and see them
striped of all the comforts of life, while their natural protectors, viz: their fathers and husbands are braving all the dangers
of an army life, and that nor for pay, but for the mere pittance of a soldiers
wages say $11 or 12.00 per month which any laboring man can obtain from his
neighbor or the farmer.
Mr.
Editor, there is but one of two conclusions to come to from this conflict. And that is we must conquer or we of the
South are a ruined, yes, an irretrievably ruined people. And for me, before I will submit to
subjugation, may I and all that is dear to me sink beneath the sods of my
mother earth.
A. SOLDIER.
