The Daily Dispatch: June 16, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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Desertion.

Desertion has become far too frequent in the Confederate army. And yet the habit is not peculiar to Confederate soldiers. There must be desertions from all military service where there is no punishment for desertion.--We mean no punishment adequate to the offence — none which a coward or a vagabond had not rather encounter than endure the service or the perils of a battle. Death is the proper punishment, and it is the punishment prescribed in our laws — the punishment meted to the deserter by Governments generally. We anticipate that our own Government will be forced to resort to it. With a creditable humanity and forbearance, the policy of appealing to the pride of the soldier by advertisement, by disgraces, has been pursued by our commanders; but there is little pride and no honor in the deserter, and the fear of disgrace will not deter him from absconding. The penalty of death will. An example or two would have a fine effect.

It has been suggested by a citizen that the community can assist to some extent in repressing the spirit of desertion by limiting the facilities to escape. The habit has been to treat every man wearing the uniform kindly — to feed and to lodge him. By questioning each one, and requiring him to show his pass, or his discharge or furlough, the difficulty in the deserter's way may be increased. Desertions may forge papers, it is true; but a little rigor in this respect will put them at least to that trouble; and they cannot all forge papers. The suggestion is worthy of a trial.