The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-02-21

rom moro inten' gent, sensible snd practical
man, than are usually those who O. nc amoar
~ from the rebels
have recently had the p'ca'ure cf an ex-
tended converss ton with a gentleman whose
home has been in the Sou,h OF manv yoars.
though Of nor hein bi-tu, and VINO atiiYod IN
H. l. )uis lev daysa CO, having made his W ly
through Kentucky 10 this point. Tnis gout,s >
man WAS iotI efly sugar planter in | uisia a,
ard was cors quontly we'll known in New
Otlears. lie lea New Oleans in tte midrle
Of Dscemter. At that time there was conai.
derable activity in the military and naval CIR.
c'es, cons, quent upon the operations of our
troops at Ship Island and Biloxi. Very formi-
dabie preparations were making in the ivor to
break the blockade not less than six steamers
and large tugs, all irun.cIsol, were bcirg trans.
formed into war vessels. A vessel runs the
blockade every few DAYS safely. There were
within the military district OF Now Ohclns
about IA 900 men. Ntsly every young MN
in the ,ity ard STATE hal gore to the W IT, and
OIL few OF the cons OF hi 90 cal or o,.nk.
ing iuuciionarits wero exem f;cm the odium
which attached TO tho "invClut tarea"
Speaking Of the feelings Of the people Ia tho
Gulf States, "a also In the Middle 81 .tes he said
tba, there seemed to be entire unanimitv in re-.
gari to the conduct of tho war. There VA, no
ynions would distract tbem, at least until the,
should have them beaten in battle.
When asked az to the existence OF the Union
sentiment at the Sou'h, his answer wa, "ThIt
If there was any, it was 30 completely snoth
cred that IL might as wull bj ont Gown at moth.
ing" When | asked him Of tho iancos for 8
peaceful settlement Of tho present difficulties
he gave mo the most positive assurance, that no
PROPOSITIONS which lorkod to the return of the
tevol'ed states to their allie lance would be lis.
tened 10, especially under the standardization oE
MIR. Lii colr, ~hom they consider to be hifty.
rant aid half idiot, with a strong flavor Of tho
Garriton school about him.
With regard to slave insurrec,ions he saws
that there has been 10 tfouble with the negroes
deserving the name-not any more than the
disturbed state of society would occasion. There
were two regiments Of colorod mon raised IN
New Orleans, but they have been out to du'y
on earth sorks and Qualifications. Every woman
and cl lid who is ale, throughout the ontire
country In Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tonnes-
see, is pgssod in furnishing something " con-
tribute to the needs Of the soldiers. In schools
and churches the W ork OF feeding and clothing
soldiers Is uppsrmOst. HHdly a family but
has sumo immediate relative in tho southern
army. The first families take the leal in those
matters and the rest very naturally follow in
their wake. Many Of the rich families who
were accustomed TO life Of luxuiy and ease
are now reduced to the barest necosssries. Their
fItitude is remarkable, and, from the uovei
and Tonantic nature Of ihs sensation, will pro-
baby be M evanetcent as II Ia intense.
On the Mississippi river, between New Or.
leans and Memphis, there are few soldiers TO lie
seen, except battalion al Baton Rouge. The
appearance Of the eoun ry Is hardly different
from that of other years At Memphis, tho
Ell, cts OF the war were quite visible. Littls or
no business was doiog, except euch as related
10 the supply Of tho army. Arout forty stear-
boats we're AT the levee, half Of which are on
gagged in II akipg occasional trips The postal
service of the United States Govornment has
been converted into similar arrange mont for
the benefit Of tho coniedeia'es. Tho m,in
routes only are kept open. The rates are. i've
cents for dittancos less than five hundred miles,
for greater Cistarc a, ten cent?.
The currency Of tho South Ia nov, In great
part, that Of the confederate notes about a
hundred and fifty millions OF these sh .plastors
1t is supposed, have been issued. Tho masses
OF the people are at a loss 20 determine which
are worth the lesst-ths bank notes or scrip
as there is generally implied distrus, of such
q holocaust Of paper money. Merchants AID
traders seem TO hold tho bank notes in esteem,
"a they may by possibility bo worth fomothing
within a lifetime, which 10 more than their con
duct would, when interpreted, admit TOR the
southern treasury notes.
Arxious 20 leave Memphis on business which
could not be male known 10 an, but tho au-
horitie', he sought out some friends in com
mercial Louses, representing that he VS. gting
North 10 arrange tor smuggling a lot OF ncces-
eaIy articles. This was tucient % procure
him pass from Gen. Pillow. when ho proceed
ed up river to Columbus. Here ho mot with
fresh difficulties from Gen. Chsa;hAm, who, al
though satisfied OF hia diolity W tho cause,
considered the attempt TO pass our lines at Fort
Holt too dangerous. Our Southern friend thoro-
fore turned his head in tho direction Of Bow
ling Green. lie dId not r. sch that point, how
ever, but stopped short low miles, and after
an inNa u, I,al otI., kn
bin tn,skq a course west # our army under
Ger. Buell. mskirg his way over the country,
he iinhlly reached llsGdorson, on the Ohio
river, where ho was detained temporarily by
our guards. His route lay by way Of
Calhoun, which place he avoided, as
federal force was said to be stationed there. l.
is memorable alfO that he WAS twice arrested
by the scouts Of thertb while passing through
their lines, and only escaped the asst time by
taking advantage Of their intoN cation and
riding on in the night. Ilo met with no guards
until lie had Ieached he garrison a. IIondorson.
The route be has reason 10 believe Ia tr,versed
constantly by smngglers and bearers oi news.
The works at Coluu'b1s he describes as being
large in area, thought not very formidable ia
character. lie saw them in the third wsek
In January. They had a that time qome Of
the batteries casenated with log' ovorlaid with
dirt. Numerous oci looking cOn'ryancos wero
anchored In the river abuvo ard below the bat
.oIi'h, ou' ho NahtOl isIlcNo thoy Wefo very
dat geroas
THK CAPTURE OF BILONI.
The Ship Island c)rre4pondent OF the Boston
JouRSAL gives very interesting account Of
the capture Of Biloxi. The Water Witch, tho
New Lordor ard ia, Lewis, wers the vessels
engaged in the expedition.
Commander Smith, accompanied by Acting
Master Ry dery Of Tho Massachusetts, landed at
the wharf, near the light ard were met by two
or three men, ofwhom they requested 10 see tho
Mayor Of the city. A crowd HiOn collected, one
VI whom WAS armed with n double barralled
gun, an old cavslry swtrI and q silysr-
mounted CCl,'s revolver, both Of which no
pc sisted in wearii < on tho Rsme side Of his
belt, ana appeared tO he tho commandsr of
the battery. While soma of the citizsns went
UT In quest of tlr Chief Mpgi5trate, some
twenty i've or thirty men, armed with shot
guns, were seen lrrkIng around tho battery and
parade ground in the rear. The sailors ento-sd
Into conversation with the citizens. ssne of
whom pretended 70 be loyal, aud said they
were afraid 20 express their Union sentimen s
for fear Of beirR lyIched. While tho husb snds
ard children were on the wharf Awaiting tho
result Of the demonstration, "A fsW fightaael
wiyol and mothers were se-n peerilg from ba.
bin d building, OUT OF windows, and from tho
cover OF the shruhlery, with their hoods drawn
over their faces, locking with intense anxiety
upon the roup at the pier The citizens, male
and iomAle, gathered In knots on tho Irincipal
street, ard d.cus3ed tho subject of the inyasiG7.
They were shy at inst and kept aloOf ftom the
federal lcers, but seeing no harm offered tkom.
they gradually became communicative, and
l. A