During the War between the States there were quite a number of desertions, especially during the last two years of the War, from the Confederate Army. When the War ended the Confederacy was gone, and of course the men who deserted could not be punished, and in some cases they were actually rewarded by the Government through pensions or otherwise.

I am profoundly convinced that one of the causes for desertion from the Army by North Carolina soldiers at this time is the belief upon the part of the men who desert that if they can succeed in staying in hiding until the present war is over that the end of the War will ipso facto put an end to all efforts to arrest and punish them for desertion. Therefore quite a number are taking the chances. If these men were given to understand that the Government will never let up until every man who deserts from the Army is arrested and punished there would be fewer desertions. Therefore I suggested the propriety of your issuing an order instructing the regimental and company officers to call this to the attention of all the new men as they come in and give them to understand that if any man deserts from the United States Army it means that he will most certainly be punished, or that he will be a fugitive from justice the balance of his whole life, and that the end of the War will have no effect whatever upon the activities of the Government in running down these deserters. If you see fit to make such an order as this and will send me a copy of the same I will see to it that it is given wide publicity in those counties in North Carolina where desertions have occurred.