Our
army is in a bad way. Desertions
are up and recruits are not to be found.
This trouble has been of a scourge for our boys and
especially the boys of the Texas Brigade.
The authorities in Richmond count depletion of the ranks at
ten to twenty percent weekly.
Soldiers that joined the army just a year ago are not
present with each roll call and finding replacements for these
deserters is even harder a task as hunting down the cowards that
ran home leaving their brave comrades to face the enemy alone.
There is no reason for this rate of desertion, say the
officers, but for lack of honor and courage.
Some in camp call these runaway soldiers traitors and as
traitors should be hunted down arrested and hanged as so.
It is a cold and gray day with a light mist in the air.
The boys huddled around fires drinking coffee and wondering
when the ranks will begin to fill up as they once did.
Recruitment in all our Southern ranks is down.
The cause that was is no more and with the lists of
casualties getting larger with each passing battle the lines at
recruitment offices get shorter.
The boys drill in the cold mist today and with pride they
hold their heads up and step lightly with every command.
Proud and honorable they are indeed ready to face what
danger may await them. They
remain loyal to our cause and true to our flag of the Confederate
States. They do not
run away for warm bread and mothers touch.
They stay and do their duty for their country and each
other. When such a
site is seen of our boys proud and the honor that fills the cold
chill in the air one must wonder why would one want to run from
such pride and duty. Why
would one not want to join such an army with eagerness and haste?
The question is an empty one.