The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-11-01
Mar Nc,us.
srac!al Correspondence of The Phiada Press
From Gen, Grants Army.


Letter From jackson, Tenn.
4 Vj,,t 10 an Oil College F,irnd-His Opinion
Of The Present Rebeiitoa- The,SouM Sick ard
1ircd Of HE Har- Northern Endurance and
Per CT reMc Beginning to Tcjl--1'he Present
Ccndafon Of The S0uh dIcCieilan and Hut
lerk Had One Time the Desiinies Of the Nation
IN Their H0nds-Ho,v tie North Gun only
Conquer Peace--SiGrcry D3nA- What Effect
the Emancipation Proclamation VIII Hare.
l just returned from very interesting visit
to an old college friend who has lived in Ten
nesse for the last ten years, and l think the
substance of the information obtained from
him viii, considering its source, be interest
to your readers, for this gentleman is no ordi-
/ nary man lie is ii native Of Maine. came to
this State Immediately after he graduated.
and has achieved tJr himself a very leading
and Influential position among the lawyers
and the politicians of the State. He is a man
Of ardent feelings and strong prcjudices, but
Of singulArly clear and log cal mind, and
has had an experience which few men have
passed through. He married a lady who had
some slave properly, and three years ago,
when | saw him at the North, said that if he
was not certain that the limits Of slav ~
would be coextcnsyc with the limits of the
national domain, he would not allow his wife
and children to remain in slave State anoth-
| cr hour; and, as he said yesterday then was
the time be should have sold out Iuliu n,
partly by his personal friendships, which were
always very strong, and partly by cntangliuc
politicle alliances, he joined the Soutle:n
C"ntederacy. He believed neither in the
= fire in the rear nor in 9 foreign intcrven-
ton" but he thought the North would quiet
| j. agree to the separations that the Southern
| Confcdrracy would achieve its inde,7enj ,nce
| in three months, and then. in less than year,
would fall to pcices, and his State at least be
asking for readnisson. He says most posi-
| lively that the people of the South we're never
in favor of The Confcdcracy until after the
war had fairly begun, and their blood was up
After Tennessee had voted to go out he went
with her, and became a lieutenant in bat
terry. He was at the battle of Shiloh, and
during the investment of Corinth came home
sick, and remained until after the evacuation.
property he Shall not complain. lie knew
when he went into the rebellion that il was
treason, and that he lisked both life and pro-
pclty. lie took the chances, and is willing
to stand the lJss.
His opinions, think, are worth listening
to. lie has seen the rebel lion from the inside.
lie is Il changed and subdued man. H. feels
and acknowledges that he has committed 4
great blunder and fault From being a
warm Sccessionist he has become q strong
Union man, and has taken the oath OF ale
glance. Whereas his former status WAS based
on his prejndiccs and bis feelings, his present
is based on his cool judgment and terrible
! Experience tluely an ordeal OF fire.
He says that the Sonh are, and long have
! been, sick and tired Of the war. Except
the hot heads ard the Office holders, who's
only and desperate hope of salvation depends
upon the success Of the Confcderacy, The
people of the South, at least Of the Border
States, would accept peace on almost any
terms. They would willingly free their slaves,
and lay down their arms. When they first
went into the rcbc lion they expected cheap
and easy success. Ever since they have come
fairly to appreciate tho determinatio of the
/ North, they have been discouraged, and the
last uprising in response to the last calls has
completely appalled, them. Northern cndur-
ance and perseverance is beginning to tell -
SO far are they from their ancient boasts of
| So,
now, after every and defeat is, that g." at least
IRE hare fought then, into respect for us. -
Not long ago, I believe, that was our phrase
| They find, to their bitter shame and mortif-
cation, that they were mistaken in their esti-
mate, both OF the character and the resources
of the North. Their country is ruined
Peace can make it no worse. War cannot
! improve it. The blockade, though not per-
feet, is very rigorous. They look forward to
! Il winter Of such desolati@n and suffering as
! to strike horror to the most thought,ess OBJ
server. In the army they must die by thous-
ands. In the city and the country they must
! stalve Their negroes are Of no use to them
cxce2t to raise corn and potatoes, and where
! the army has been they are Of little use. Ny
| friend says that he knows Of many men, colo
nels Of regiments, and colonies commanding
bngades, who, if llalleck had marched into
| Corinth, as he might easily have done any
day after tho battle of Shiloh, would have
/ gladly surrendered and come over TO our
| lines. Whole regiments Of men would have
| done the same. This he knows for he was III
a position to know The most secret thoughts
of many prominent men, as hey knew his
| The same, he says, is the case now, and this
seems 10 be confirmed BY the conduct OF many
Of the prisoners taken at Coruth who gave
! themselves up, and when exchanged were
| very reluctant to go back. The fact is the
South is tired of the war weary, exhausted :,
hopeless Of success.
| On the other hand, lie said, they receive q
6 oil deal OF cncouragementr Every defeat
) is a victory, and they believe their newspapers