February 27, 1863---"A Solemn Warning To Wives"

FEBRUARY 27, 1863:          

The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes A Solemn Warning To Wives:

“…A few weeks ago a soldier was tried and convicted of the crime of desertion, and sentenced to be shot. The day for the execution arrived, and at the appointed hour this brave man, who had fought many battles and endured every kind of hardship, fell a bloody corpse at the hands of his comrades. Upon inquiry it was ascertained he was as true as steel to our cause, and that it was on account of his wife that he deserted. He received a letter from her full of complaints. Looking alone upon the dark side of the picture, she had magnified her troubles and sufferings, and earnestly entreated her husband to return home. He became restless, discontented, unhappy. He ceased to make any interest in the discharge of his military duties, and thought only of how he could get home…and, shutting his eyes to the consequences, he deserted and for this crime he suffered a bloody and ignominious death. His wife, now a widow, has known no peace of mind, but is constantly haunted with the thought that her exaggerated representations of her trials and sufferings caused her husband's death. Let this case be a lesson to all wives and mothers. When you write to the soldier speak words of encouragement; cheer their hearts; fire their souls, and arouse their patriotism. Say nothing that will embitter their thoughts, or swerve them from the path of patriotic duty.”