Deserter Letters

This page is dedicated to letters concerning those soldiers that deserted their North Carolina regiments, and the effects of deserters on the home front.

Jason H. Carson to Zebulon Vance,
September 20, 1862

A planter and politician describes draft dodgers and deserters in Rutherford and Polk Counties, and the refusal of local authorities to arrest them.

Zebulon Vance to James A. Seddon,
January 5, 1863

Governor Vance informs Confederate Secretary of War of desertion problem in western North Carolina and proposes to raise a specific Confederate unit to deal with them

Benjamin B. Marley to Zebulon Vance,
January 25, 1863

An officer and resident of Randolph County complains of the destruction caused by deserters and requests military forces be sent to Randolph, Moore, and Chatham Counties to stop them

William Dorsey Pender to Walter H. Taylor,
April 23, 1863

General Pender describes the large number of deserters from North Carolina regiments in the army and blames it on judges whose rulings lead soldiers to believe they won't be punished.

Robert E. Lee to James M. Seddon,
May 21, 1863

General Lee warns that a great many North Carolina troops are deserting in groups and taking their arms with them in order to band together to prevent their capture

James Johnston Pettigrew to Zebulon Vance,
May 22, 1863

General Pettigrew complains that civilians are writing to soldiers encouraging them to desert, and blames the desertion on disaffection in the state legislature and home front

James Green Reynolds to Zebulon Vance,
July 12, 1863

A farmer writes to Vance describing the actions of deserters hiding in Madison County, North Carolina

Shubal G. Worth to Zebulon Vance,
September 3, 1863

A Home Guard commander describes the problems with deserters in Randolph County, and neighboring counties.

Mary P. Moore to Zebulon Vance,
September 3, 1863

A resident of Davidson County complains of the actions of deserters and anger of local soldiers sent to police them

J.B. Bailey to Zebulon Vance,
September 4, 1863

A Buncombe County resident complains that nearly every soldier from his Swannanoa community has deserted

Mrs. M.B. Moore to Zebulon Vance,
September 10, 1863

A resident describes the deserters in Rockingham County and suggests that the governor send regular troops to catch them

Thomas Ritter to Zebulon Vance,
January 1, 1864

A Randolph County resident describes murders and property destruction caused by deserters and those hunting deserters

Colonel Paul F. Faison to Zebulon Vance,
January 4, 1864

Colonel of 56th North Carolina talks about the difficult of catching deserters in Randolph County

John Alexander Steelman & Wilkes citizens to Zebulon Vance,
January 25, 1864

Citizens complain that Confederate troops sent to arrest deserters in Wilkes caused more damage than benefit and requests that they be taken away from the region.

Clement Dowd to Zebulon Vance,
February 16, 1864

Local Home Guard commander declares that since Confederate troops were removed from Moore County, deserters have been wreaking havoc again; asks for help

Lauchlin McKinnon to Zebulon Vance,
February 27, 1864

Elderly Moore County citizen begs governor to discharge his son-in-law from service so that he can provide protection from deserters and help run the family businesses

More coming soon