Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/43

 Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John G. Pressley. 37

and where volunteers could not be obtained [and very few were found willing to go] compulsory details were required. Colonels of regi- ments were forced to become the agents of the Government in the first and only violation of faith of which the Confederacy was guilty. A general determination was expressed to turn out at the next elec- tion every member of Congress who voted for the obnoxious law. There is no doubt that the object of the law was good. The mistake consisted in allowing compulsory details, which had not been contem- plated. It was generally believed that proper representation to the War Department by General Pemberton would have caused such a modification of the manner of the execution of the obnoxious mea- sure as to have relieved it of its objectionable features and not im- paired its efficacy. But it seemed as if the General was afraid that he could not get volunteers enough to provide places for his favorites. He was utterly regardless of the entreaties of the men. There was much talk among the field officers of a general refusal to obey, but the conclusion was at length reached to yield to the letter of the law. On the 2^1/1 of July the order was made peremptory. The Colonel of the Twenty-fifth South Carolina Volunteers was ordered to detail twenty-four men of his command, and have them in readiness to re- port for duty when required. This quota was divided among the ten companies in a manner as just as possible. Each captain was directed to name the men to be detailed from his company. The law contem- plated a select organization. The captains determined that it should be select (?). Every one who had a worthless fellow in his company detailed him. Some who had men whose friends had influence enough to procure details for them in soft and safe places against the wishes of their company and regimental officers, selected such men. One captain, after explaining to his company the necessity which he was under to obey orders, and expressing the greatest regret at the prospect of parting with any of his men, and his inability to discrim- inate, proposed to open a poll and allow the company to decide by ballot upon the men he would name. This was done, and the captain detailed the two successful candidates (?). In another company a purse was raised by contribution and two men were hired to volun- teer. The other regiments made selections about in a similar way. Unfitness for a sharpshooter was the quahty most looked after. The consequence was, that as a whole, General Pemberton' s sharpshooters were rivals of " Falstafif's army." When they were gotten together it was found that after the maimed, the halt and the blind were dis- charged there were men enough for two pretty good companies out