DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER.


VOL. XIV.--NO. 324.

RICHMOND, TUESDAY MORNING

PRICE TWO CENTS.

 

Recruitment Down and desertions rise in the ranks.

 

  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.

 

Tom R. Grandy

Daily Richmond Examiner