Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-21
w. d. WALLACH.
The CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
RusSellsS IetteFa


the London Times Of August Sd. 1t has no
date, and is entitled Letters from the South,
No. l." 1t is general comment on matters
and things outside of the scope of an ordinary
luneracy and the consecutive events in the
writer's experience. In commencing the letter
Mr.. Russell says: There is no use in prefix
ing date or direction to letters written at
intervals from time to time, as find occasion
and opportunity in the course of my wander
ings through the South to halt at various sta
tions and put together the result of my obser-
vatlons and reflections on what have seem"
We subjoin a few extracts:
AS write / am in the State Of Mississippi
and on my way to Virginia, and thence to
Washington. The time is the middle of June
As to all knowledge of the world outside the
Confederate States, am in perfect ignorance
The posts are stopped, the telegraphs are
mythical, the "news' not truthful nor even
novel, for skirmish is made to do good duty
as battle, victory, glorious achievement,
brilliant success-in fact as everything but
a skirmish, for at least week or ten days.
SOUTHERN TROOPS.
1t Is impossible for me to express any opinion
as to the condition of the Northern army till
see 1T, but, SO far as have had means of ex-
amining the state of Southern troops, incline
to think that they are not at present capable
of any very great aggressive effort; and L am
disposed TO the belief that nothing but the
instinct of self-preservation will prove strong
enough to hold them together, even in a de-
fensiye attitude, for any considerably pro-
tracted war. In cavalry and field artillery
they are miserably deficient and mere talk
about "cold steel'' will not win victories or
maintain successful campaigning. doubt if
Mr. Davis could for his supreme struggle lust
now put 5000 horses and 30 pieces of light ar
t;llery in the field. If General Scott is not
much better off, he has, at all events, the
11gTc Eli nj MT in L.
cavalry and artillery which remain to him.
As to the commIssariat supplies, so long as
the armies are scattered in various provinces
or States resting on rivers, railroads, and
towns, in the midst of cOrn-growing, beef and
mutton making communities, there may be no
very great difficulties felt by either, but when
the armies are massed together or moved away
IN rapid marches, their deficient organization
on vital points, will be speedily apparent and
cruelty felt, and, as thewa goes on, the North
having the sea open, and supplies of food and
other matters accessible, must have the ad-
vantage in the long run, if there be one. Even
at this moment the Southern troops seize on
carts, horses and stores, for which the COM
mlssarlat othcers give receipts that at some
time or other will entitle the owners to pay
ment IN Confederate States money.
THE BLOCKADE.
1t is evident as vet that the South has lost
ground, and that the North has gained it since
the fever OF excitement which broke into flames
at Sumter ran through the Union, and deYour-
ed 1t with the consuming eagerness Of the fire
In stubble. A blockade has been enforced
which, despite all assertions and pretences to
the contrary, has produced already, to my cer-
tain knowledge, much inconvenience, and will
believe, cause serious mischief in the South
At present the Southerners are cheered by the
hope, almost as strong a conviction, that
England and France dare not permit the
lnN II q In "a rPaha h.
crop is ready, and that they win find means to
raise, resist, or force it, even by war with the
United States.
They talk, too, of the impossibility of en-
forcing blockade Of all their coast, and of the
thousands of miles Of coast which they possess,
as q proof that all the navies Of the world could
not do that which the United States navy is
called on to perform. Similar language has
been used in England and elsewhere But it
is not necessary to blockade all these many
miles Of coast; nature-the coral reef the sand
bank, shallow water, dangerous seas, have
done that work most effectuslly. From Chos-
apeake Bay, on the northwest frontier of Viz
ginia, to Galveston, or IndianOla, there is no
port which vessel of large tonnage would
care to enter which is not at this moment near
Iy as efficiently blOekaded as is usual in war
SCARCITY.
As soon as the stock Of merchandise, provi-
siOns, wines, clothing, boots, tea, coffee, and
such articles, now in the South is exhausted, a
powerful test will be applied to the statement
that the South can support itself, and can pro-
duee all that it wants. Already, for example,
there is an outcry against the scarcity of salt.
When the sailing season comes what will be-
come Of the mea2 And without salt pork what
will become Of the negroes? All things are
dear, except the raw material of food, at pres
ent. For an ordinary black silk hat was
charged at New Orleans El 6. 3D., linen sIop
csat cost nearly FL; for making flannel shirts
i paid 9s. cd. piece. and the flannel alone
was as dear as the best shirt in London. Com
mon cotton socks are sold at Is. Sd. a pair:
other articles are dear in proportion. Butter
and wheat -four will be things of the past On
many city tables. as 20 the sugar planters
ruin seems certain if they can find no market
for their produce.
THE MISSISSIPPI.
If the design attributed to the military au
thorities of the United States to move down
the Mississippi be ever carried out, there is no
amount Of misery which may not be inflicted
on the Seeding States but the attempt would
be most difficult OF execution, and il could only
be made as a part of grand combined opera
tion for marching victoriously from Virginia to
Louisiana. That such an operation may not
be contemplated it is impossible to assert. It's
consequ snces would be terrible on both sides,
and in the interests Of humanity, of civilisa-
ton, of liberty, and Of Christianity, il might
be well the great Powers of Europe to consider
whether they should not offer or even press
mediation to which the most furious fanatics
would be obliged to listen after they have sat-
isfed their taste for blood.
BRITISH SUBJECTS.
The misery and distress which have come to
many British subjects in the States owing to
this war can scarcely be exaggerated. ONLY
those who can hear the appeals or see the lei.
ters addressed to our consuls can form an idea
Of the great suffering to which they are exposed
in consequence of the closing works, the stop
page Of navigation, the paralysis Of trade, the
Insolvency OF employers, Incorporation Of ''stay
laws" and the hundred evils which follow civil
war in a country like America, particularly
where there is such largely developed system
of fictitious credits and unsound banking. Our
consuls are besieged with applications for help.
The applicants generally desire to be sent to
Canada; but there is no means of sending
them by sea, and the land voyage is expensive.
Too often the relief comes out Of the pocke cts
of the ILL paid consuls themselves; sometimes
1t is refused with pain and reluctance. On this
point voald make an appeal to the benevo-
lent and patriotic at home who have the means
and the inclination TO aid their unfortunate
countrymen. If g few gentlemen will only
begin the movement, they will do immense
L. A.. D-.s