Greensborough Patriot
February 19, 1863
Page 1
A correspondent sends us the following (says the Richmond Enquirer) which he characterizes as a “cure for desertion”:
Lately a young soldier, named R____ from Ashe county, N. C., slipped off from his Regiment and succeeded
in safely making his way home. On
reaching the parental roof, his father told him he could not stay there; he
must return immediately to the army of his country, and stand by his noble
companions in arms! Upon the young man
asking for only a few days rest, the father replied no. You must start back in the morning and I will
go with you myself to see that you are again at your post—now the only post of
honor! The next morning found them both
making their way through the rugged mountains of Western North Carolina bound
for
Oh! that we had more such parents—more such citizens.
[Transcribed
by Sharon Strout]