HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF
THE CONFEDERATE STATES,
14th February, 1865.
General Orders, No.
2.
In entering upon the campaign about to open the General-in-Chief
feels assured that the soldiers who have so long and so nobly borne the
hardships and dangers of the war require no exhortation to respond to the calls
of honor and duty.
With the liberty transmitted by their forefathers they have
inherited the spirit to defend it.
The choice between war and abject submission is before them.
To such a proposal brave men with arms in their hands can
have but one answer. They cannot barter manhood for peace nor the right of
self-government for life or property.
But justice to them requires a sterner admonition to those
who have abandoned their comrades in the hour of peril.
A last opportunity is afforded them to wipe out the disgrace
and escape the punishment of their crimes.
By authority of the President of the Confederate States a
pardon is announced to such deserters and men improperly absent as shall return
to the commands to which they belong within the shortest possible time, not
exceeding twenty days from the publication of this order, at the headquarters
of the department in which they may be.
Those who may be prevented by interruption of communication
may report within the time specified to the nearest enrolling officer or other
officer on duty, to be forwarded as soon as practicable, and upon presenting a
certificate from such officer showing compliance with the requirement will
receive the pardon hereby offered.
Those who have deserted to the service of the enemy, or who
have deserted after having been once pardoned for the same offense, and those
who shall desert or absent themselves without authority after the publication
of this order, are excluded from its benefits. Nor does the offer of pardon
extend to other offenses than desertion and absence without permission.
By the same authority it is also declared that no general
amnesty will again be granted, and those who refuse to accept the pardon now
offered, or who shall hereafter desert or absent themselves without leave,
shall suffer such punishment as the courts may impose, and no application for
clemency will be entertained.
Taking new resolution from the fate which our enemies intend
for us, let every man devote all his energies to the common defense.
Our resources, wisely and vigorously employed, are ample,
and with a brave army, sustained by a determined and united people, success
with God's assistance cannot be doubtful.
The advantage of the enemy will have but little value if we
do not permit them to impair our resolution. Let us then oppose constancy to
adversity, fortitude to suffering, and courage to danger, with the firm
assurance that He who gave freedom to our fathers will bless the efforts of
their children to preserve it.
R. E. LEE,
General.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 353-4
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