Our soldiers on the Peninsula.
Editors Dispatch: Having a full knowledge of the destitute condition of the
Hampton soldiers, I feel it to be my sacred duty to call the attention of a generous public to their situation, and I assure you that nothing gives me more pleasure than to do something for these patriotic and gallant soldiers.
Being a soldier myself I of course have not the means to supply their wants, and can only call upon those who have to do something in the noble cause of aiding these destitute soldiers, who have left home and all its comforts and endearments to rescue the endangered and perishing liberties of their country.--But though unable to alleviate their sufferings, I trust I have that genuine sympathy for these suffering fellow- soldiers, which I hope pervades the breast of every gallant daughter and son within the limits of this renowned old Commonwealth.
Impelled by patriotism, they were among the first to offer their services to this State though they knew, when taking this patriotic step, that they were depriving themselves of their homes and its comforts.
When they saw that it was the cruel intention of the
Lincoln dynasty to invade the sacred soil of
Virginia, and to wage a war of subjugation against the
South, they eagerly rushed to the aid of their State, and the cry ‘ "to arms, to arms,"’ reverberated throughout the gallant county of
Elizabeth City — from the very walls of
Fortress Monroe to the borders of
York county.
Though neglected by their State, yet, when the order came for them to abandon their homes, and the graves of their departed kindred, to the merciless tread of a vandal horde, they obeyed the order without a murmur, leaving all that they possessed on earth to the mercy of a cruel and unscrupulous enemy.--And from the very moment that they were mustered into service up to the present time, they have been doing hard service.
Day by day have they felled the mighty trees of the forest, and thrown up the earthworks to prevent the enemy from making a victorious march through the county and gaining possession of your hospitable city, which they seemed so desirous to occupy.
Though their own little county was occupied by the enemy, yet still the cause of the
South was their cause, and they hesitated not to sacrifice their all in its defence.
I shall say nothing of the burning of the town, save that it received their warmest approval.
I will leave that to history, knowing that it will do them justice.
It is enough to say that they are needy and destitute, and I feel confident that their case will receive the warmest sympathy of the gallant people of
Richmond.
But I must remark that so destitute of clothing were they (having brought but one or two suits from home with them, and having torn them working in the thickets,) that, it is said, when they marched through a certain place they were laughed at.
A Friend to Hampton Soldiers.
