The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-10-24
Condition Of the Confederate
Army.

| vi the pliSnI OF the troops OF the Noh-
federate or rebel service In Virginia, the
accounts which came in from time TO time
are as contradictory as ever. The report
of deserter, whose story. according to the
Philadelphia Press, would seem TO have
War Department, represents the troops as
enjoying about everything that soldiers
could ask for. According to his story,
they are we'll clothed, well fed. and above
all. we'll paid--in bauk notes. or in gold,
if they fancy the more precious article
Other reports are in the teeth Of such
representations, and say that the rebels are
suffering from the want Of almost every
thing. Governed by such reports, many
newspapers predict an early battle, as they
say the troops can no longer stay inactive
in their camps exposed to the growing la
clemency Of the season.
Between two such opposite pictures we
believe the truth lies not exactly midway,
out incining rather TO the side most favor
able to the South This We Judge from
the tenor of articles in the few Southern
papers which find their way out Of the Con
federacv The Richmond Examiner Of the
24h gives long descriptive account Of
the Clothing Bureau in Richmond. 1t is
very extensive establishment, is in full
work, and presents bee hive appearance.
The Examiner states that the manufactur-
ing facilities are such, that with proper
supplies OF cloth. the bureau can supply
from $4,000 to lOO 700 winter suits for
the soldiers by the time they are needed.
Ii furnishes an excellent wooden cvercoai
for six dollars, pantloons a: one dollar and
fifty cents, and other garments in proper
ton. For the supply of cloth, arrange
men,s have been made with mills further
South. The North Carolina mills have
promised their entire product, after having
comrleted some contracts with the State.
The supply Of shoes is confessedly not 80
good. for the same paper acknow iedges
that only the utmost diligence will serve
to furnish the quantity needed; and secs
onds the recommendation that the shoe
makers now in the army be discharged. 50
that they may Set themselves at work
making shoes There seems TO be no
question that the army is well provisioned,
and does not lack food, which is furnished
at cheap rates-the only deficiency being
in the hog proiuct. which it is proposed
to supply by putting up extra quantities
oblanable in any quantities at lew laIes.
The papers confess to great deal of
sickness in the camps-in part inevitable
from the localities occupied by many OF
the troops, but in larger part owing to the
sovenly habits of too many Of the com
mands. Their health is not as good as
that of the troops on this side-wbose
posts are perhaps healthier, and who are
probably under better and more carefully
enforced sanitary regulations.
From all tat ID to be collected Of the
conditicn OF the personnel of Beauregard's
army it is not probable. as supposed, that
it will have to fight from the desperation
Of either cold or hunger. What other mo-
tive or provocations will urge them 10
battle, i. is not easy to say at present
They may be impeled 10 it by the dan
gers which threaten from the fleets on
their flank and rear. which a victory III
iron, would diminish. Or they may wait
ill battle is forced upon them by the ad-
vance in great force of the Federal army
for which event ii would seem that they
have prepared themselves by formidable
entrenchmen,s. OF which tie slight earth
works at Munson's Hill. and other similar
affairs. were intended merely as marks.
Though several of the Eastern prints have
been threatening battle every day Tor the
last fortnight. it is perhaps quite as proba
bic that such IN event will be postponed a
month hence. st. Louis RepuJticdn.