Pettigrew, James Johnston (1828-1863) to Zebulon B. Vance
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00627 Author/Creator: Pettigrew, James Johnston (1828-1863) Place Written: Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 May 1863 Pagination: 6 p. : docket ; 25 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Encloses letters (not included) sent to soldiers from their homes encouraging desertion. Discusses the growing problem of desertion in the army at length and attributes it to one cause, the negative state of public opinion on the home front. Believes that the commanding officers are not doing enough to combat desertion in their ranks. Remarks that, "The great majority of my Brigade would shoot a deserter as quick as they would a snake, but our place is here and not in the rear ... " States that he has sent men out to bring back the deserters dead or alive but thinks they will not be successful unless the citizens take part. Letter shows docketing by Zebulon B. Vance.
Pettigrew was a brigadier general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Vance, who had fought for the Confederacy with North Carolina troops, was governor of North Carolina from August 1862 until May 1865, when he was arrested by Union authorities.
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