Depredations.
--Many of the suburban farmers are preparing to petition the
Secretary of War for protection to their growing crops, which are now being seriously injured by stragglers wearing military clothing and claiming to be Southern soldiers.
In times like these, when every grain of wheat, corn, and oats, and every vegetable, should be saved, it is difficult to believe that true Southern soldiers — men ever ready to bare their breasts to the bullets of our enemies in defence of Southern homes — can so far forget themselves as to destroy that which is so essential to success.
If commandants of posts and officers of companies do their duty, they know who these depredators are, and should see to it that they are punished for their offences.
Farmers ought to be protected in their efforts to raise crops, and soldiers, of all the people in the
Confederacy, should see that protection is ample and complete, for with short crops they are to be the greatest sufferers.