December 11, 1862
Page 4
For the Patriot
Justice to a Soldier
Messrs. Editors: I have noticed for some weeks past among a list of deserters from the 22nd N. C. Troops published in the Patriot, the name of J. M. Foust of Co. M. Justice to a gallant and patriotic soldier demands that the facts in the case which free him from the imputation of desertion should be known to the public. They are as follows: upon the advance of our army, some months ago northward from Gordonsville, he broke down, and remained at a private house, entirely helpless, until an uncle of his and your correspondent five or six weeks ago, sought him out, procured his transfer to Richmond from the authorities, there he received a furlough, and was brought by us home to his widowed mother, where he now is, not a deserter, but with a furlough, and on a sick bed from which he cannot arise without the aid of kind friends.
M. S. R.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]