Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-05-24
Statement of n Deserter from the
H Southern Army.

Friday, =: /: MAY "a, 1OO1.
of n Deserter from the
Southern Army.
On Saturday last young man name Alon-
20 Fisk arrived in this place, from Mississip-
pi, on the way to visit his uncle, George Al
bins, in Cedar county. In conversation with
him, he made to US a statement which we
give as nearly as possible in his own IAN
guage. We have every reason to believe
that it is truthful, as he has several acquain. |
tances in this city who vouch for him.
"In September last went to Rodney,
Miss, from Butler county, o. am q house
painter by trade, but during some months
past have been in the employ Of former ac-
quaintance in Ohio, now living at Rodney, as
his book keeper. In the early part Of April
the Mayor of Rodney issued proclamation
calling on all young men from the North re-
siding there. to enlist in military company
forming at that place, or leave in thirty days.
It was my intention to leave, but before
could get my business arranged, two carpen-
ters from the North who attemptedto return,
were taken by a mob, tarred and feathered,
and compelled to enlist in the company
against their wishes. This satisfied me that
the only safe course for me was to declare
myself Southern man and enlist. did
so, and hurrahed three times for jeff. Davis
where the rest did once. drilled four weeks
with the company, having in the mean time
been chosen their Orderly Sergeant, when
asked leave of absence to so to New Or
leans to purchase rubber cloak and other
conveniences of camp life. A weeks fur
Tough was granted, and went to New Dr.
leans, not daring TO start up the river from
Rodney. At New Orleans | gave away my
soldier clothes, and with no baggage but
valise, took the railroad, and in two days was
at CaiIo. At jackson, Tenn, the baggage OF
passengers was searched, and was compel
led to give up a revolver, with the pleasant
assurance that when l returned l could get
it.
~--~0-
arms at Cairo. l saw no troops on the way
to Cairo through Kentucky or Tennessee,
though 1 heard Gen. Pillow boast that 1T
would take that id hole, Cairo, in less than
two weeks! The military force of Missis'
sippi is about 5000. A large proportion Of
this number is composed ofyoung men from
the North, precisely situated as was, and
who will desert on the first opportunity -
The feeling of confidence in the success o
Southern arms is giving way. Some OF INT
Oldest planters and slave-owners acknowl
edge that there is but little hope. They
have thought that Southern Illinois would
turn out a sufficient number of their sympa'
thisers to take Cairo from the government
troops also, that Indiana and New York
city would turn out several regiments to
fight for them. They argue that the North
has nothing to fight for, and consequently
nothing to arouse the popular enthusiasm.
Lincolns proclamation calling out 10000
men made many long faces, however. Slave
property has become quite unsuitable. The
slaves eagerly listen to all conversation be-
tween white men, and are fully aware that
the war is about them. Great fears arc fell
of instruction.
"Those who have doubted the reports o
cruelty and inhumarity to Northern men
may add about one-third to the reports they
hear, and believe them all. l saw mar
tied hand and foot, and placed in a skiff
adrift down the river at Rodney. His only
offence was that he was caught wearing wha
was called "a Lincoln cap Such scene
were of daily occurrence at Vicksburgh.-
Northern men are murdered with perfect i'm
punity, and no attempt is made to enforce
the law against the murderers.
MILITARY companies in Mississippi and
Louisiana are composed of only As men,
They are allowed SIG per month, payable in
Southern scrip, at the end Of the war. AT
ter impressing all the Northerners into the
service ut Rodney, the company lacked two
of being complete. The vacancies were fill
ed by planters, who afterwards obtained fur.
loughs for year. 1t was necessary that
the company should be full to get mustered
into service. Very few of the planters o,
substantial citizens enlist in the service I'm.
less they are given Office. At New Orleans
thousands of deck hands discharged from
the idle steamers ere pressed into service.
"The South is abundantly supplied with
provisions, but there is a great scarcity o.
arms. A $500 bill would not buy a revolve,
in New Orleans
SERVED HIM RIGHT-A loud .mouthed Sc.