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April 21, 1863, Daily Mississippian (Jackson, Mississippi)
            Editor Mississippian.–What is our duty toward the poor and dependent families of the poor men of our country in the army?  Let every man who reads this question, propound it to himself and to his neighbors.–Let all seriously and carefully reflect upon it and then do what duty and a clear conscience tells them.  If they will do this there will be but little suffering in our land, while any are able to help.  Remember that amidst sickness, hunger, famine, sorrow and death at home, the poor soldier is standing or dying in battle far away.  The present and future of that poor soldier is one of deepest gloom, while the condition of his family at home is truly sad and horrifying.  He is fighting and making all the sacrifices possible for him to make for our liberties, our homes and our property.  He is making common cause with and for the rich, comfortable and poor.–Should not the rich, comfortable and poor make common cause for and with him and his family for their support?  Let us reflect for a moment, and we will see that in view of the high prices of salt, meat, meal, cards, wool, shoes, clothing, medicines, &c., the State and county taxes for their relief cannot half supply their absolute wants, and that the deficiency must be made up by private charity from those who can and should bestow it.
            Let us recollect that in a large number of our counties, the poor largely exceeds the rich, while in many counties the rich largely exceed the poor, and hence these charities, confined to counties must fall most unequally and in many cases beyond their ability to meet and supply, while in others it must be small and trifling.  Take the counties of Yazoo, Madison, Hinds, Holmes, Carroll, Monroe, Lowndes, Noxubee and many others and the revenue being large in these counties and the poor but few compared to the wealth and wealthy, and you will find the poor already well provided for; but take Leake, Attala, Winston, Choctaw, Neshoba, Scott, Newton, &c., where the revenue is small, and where the poor very largely exceed the rich, and you will find a destitution and distress that cannot be supplied by taxation or private charity in those counties. Shall they not be relieved, and who shall do it?  Men of Yazoo, Holmes, Carroll, Hinds, Madison, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, &c., will you not respond promptly and liberally to the necessities of the poor of Leake, Attala, Winston, Choctaw, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, Hancock, Harrison, Wayne, &c., &c.
            Recollect that thousands of poor men have let their families, little fields, stock, and every thing behind them unprotected, undefended, dependant and in grief and distress, with but few in their midst able to help them, to stand as barriers between the destroying enemy, and you and your homes and prosperity, and all they ask is that you keep their families from suffering.  It is a reasonable demand, and is due to them beyond all question.  If you don’t do it, can you be surprised to see the poor soldier desert the army, or can you look upon his absence from the army in the light of desertion under such circumstances?
            Sickness, death, famine, and cries of entreaty for help in the poor family of the soldier, however brave and loyal in our cause he may be, are far more terrible to him than all the bayonets, powder, steel and bullets of the enemy, and he is more than human, patriot soldier and citizen who can, under such circumstances, remain in the service, a true and steadfast soldier.
            Let us inquire into the true condition of our poor, and know why they are so poor and dependent–and devise ways and means for their relief.  Let us send them money, salt, corn, cotton cards, wood, medicine, &c., and make the poor soldier and his family alike rejoice to know that we appreciate his service and their sacrifices, and are indeed his and their friends in need and a common cause.  Let us send out a few of our negroes and distribute them among these poor families as a loan to cultivate their little farms under the guidance of some male neighbor.  Let us thus strengthen our army, nerve our poor soldiers and aid and console the poor families.  Let each county organize into an aid society–send delegates to Jackson and form a  State Aid Society, and through the latter, properly distribute the contributions of the former, where they are most needed.  I know of no people who are better qualified for these purposes than our ministers of the Gospel–and appeal to them to take the matter in hand, and mould it into form, substance and relief.  I would suggest  Rev. J. T. Freeman as the man of mind, heart and energy, to lead in this matter.  Let the work begin at once.  I will give both labor and money freely.
            Truly, &c.,
                                     Robert.
            April 14, 1863.