HEADQUARTERS,
March 25, 1865.
Col. W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant
Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: The impression prevails among the Georgia troops of
this command that persons at home, having authority to raise local
organizations, are writing and sending messages to the men in the ranks here,
offering inducements to them to quit our ranks and go home and join the home
organizations. The large and increasing number of desertions, particularly
amongst the Georgia troops, induce me to believe that some such outside
influence must be operating upon our men. Nearly all of the parties of
deserters seem to go home, and it must be under the influence of some promise,
such as that of being received in the local forces. I would suggest, therefore,
the publication of a general order warning all officers or persons authorized
to raise local organizations against receiving such deserters or in any way
harboring them, and cautioning all such parties that they shall be punished for
such crimes under the 22d and 23d Articles of War. It may be well to publish
the articles in the order, and to send the order south to be published in all
of the Southern papers. If the order is published I would suggest that copies
be sent to the Southern papers by special messenger or by parties going south
who will take pains to have it published, otherwise I fear that it may miscarry
or be much delayed by our irregular mails.
Another growing evil seems to trouble us now in the shape of
applications to raise negro companies, regiments, brigades, &c. The desire
for promotion seems to have taken possession of our army, and it seems that
nearly all of the officers and men think that they could gain a grade or two or
more if allowed to go home. I presume that many may try to go merely because
they get furloughs.
I would suggest, therefore, that some regulation be
published upon this subject, and it seems to me that it should require the
companies to be mustered in as non-commissioned officers and privates by the
enrolling officers, and that all of the officers (general, field, and company)
shall be selected from the officers, non commissioned officers, and privates on
duty with the armies of the Confederacy.
If these matters are not speedily taken hold of by a firm
hand I fear that we shall be seriously damaged by them.
I remain, very
respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
Lieutenant-General.
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 1354; James Longstreet, From
Manassas to Appomattox, p. 651-2
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