New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-19
EXPERIENCE OF A UNION MAN IN THE
REBEL SERVICE.

REBEL SERVICE.
David /. Truesdell Of this city, after an absence
of two years or more in TIE South, returned home
on Saturday evening from Fortress Monroe, via Bal
timore. Mr.. Truesde year ago last October, was
engaged in Galveston Texas in hotel, which place
he left a. that time for the purpose Of coming North
on account of the then anticipated trouble between
the North ard South. While in Texas he cav the
most barbarous outrages practieed upon Northern
men-men innocent Of all crime except the "cIlme
cf being born at the North
When be first went to Texas be was engaged in
driving q stage from La Grange TO Bonhsn, and not
unfrequently the Stage was stopped by the armed
hands known as the Texas Regulators who
would inqcrc the passengers names, their place OF
/ birth. business Sc. II they were Northern men
they were dragged oui OF tue stage and taken into
the woods, where the Regulators would hold a
consult Axiom among themselves the result OF when
,ves 20 hang the id Northern Abolitiouists."
Men were often pulled out OF ms stage In this man
ner which was tho last he ever saw or heard OF
them, rot daring TO make any inquiries as TO WHAT
became II them, for the reason that he was Known
"a Northern man. and had himself fears OF harsh
tr,arment. On one occasion he saw three men hang
ing from the limb Of tree and there they remained
until they dropped, no one daring TO interfere. On
account Of these repeated outrages and for LIS own
welfare, he determined to leave Tor the Northi ana
accordingly tettled up with the stage company
Upon oscling Eagle Lake, he raw quite an excite.
mint among he oangers about Tie ho,el, several Of
whom were buckling on their revolyeye Presently
J one or two approached MN ana told him ne was
n suspieOus character, wheTeupon he told them that
he wac Northern man, had never injured amy
one and If they wanted auything with him 10 pitch
| in No one troubled hin, however, and he re-
snmed his Journey, reaching Galveston i'll safety.
There he Obtained "A situation in a hotel and conse-
queutly altered bis mind about coming North i'm
| 1ediateY. about the time the war broke out men
were arrested in the streets, and II from the North,
were locked Mp until they could be sent away.
Getting sick Of these outrages he again started for the
North, making his way to New-OileaIs, and thence
10 Memuhb; but not being allowed 10 20 up the Mis-
nsipp River he went 10 Charleston, arriving there
two DAYS before the taking OF Fort Sumter. He
witnessed the fight, and went over the battle feel!
the day after the surrender OF the iof. Mr. Iruef-
dell saws that Fort Moultrie was ill Knocked TO
pieces the buildings being completely demolished
/ and ridled with shot. lie did SEE or hear Of any
Of the Rebels being killed. The people II Charles.
ton were in ecstalies over the result AID had sew
era glorifcaton meetings. Being unable to reach
tie North from Charleston, he went 10 Richmond,
and there obtained some work for the purpose Of
helping Himself along. On tue 9th day Of last Octo-
Der be was arrested on suspicion Of being
Union man and sympathizer with the North"
The following day the choice was giyerhm of gong
to Jail or entering the Rebel army, which latter al
tentative he accepted, having in view a plan OF es-
cape ,hcrefrom. lie was enlisted ID the 18th Viz
ulia Regiment, Col. Withers, and sent 10 Centre
Vile and Manarsss where he remained until those
places were evacuated. The Rebel trooTs were
wei provided for by their friends, and lad every
/ comfort they desired during tie Winter.
Mr Trucfdell sssited III painting and mounting
tic quaker guns at Centreye, which were COW
cred with brush in order TO deceive the Union forces
The cannon were taken away when they evacuated.
One day lnet Winter he went down TO the old battle
field near Boil Run, where he saw large number
Of skull. lying about, which the Rebel soldiers
were kicking over the ground with oaihs. Seeing
one o. tie Tigers" belonging 10 q Louisiana regi-
ment digging mp the body Of Union soldier with
rail he asked him what be was about. Tie fellow
~ first made no reply, but, STOPPING down, seized
The dead man by the hair and dragged him partially
out OF bis grave IN order 10 LET tho buttons on h
clothes for trophies Nj. rguesdsil again spoko.
ind said Ny God, ~ such brutality in human
nature !! wheicupon the Tiger drew his pistol which
WAS n the same moment seized by Iruesde around
tie muzzle. The cowardy wretch pulled the ting
Ger, and The bhll Parsed through 1ruesdells hand
slatteung fis thumb. The latter drew bis bowie
l.liie notwithstanding his wound and plunged il M
10 tic ilt IN tho shoulder OF the Tiger, who fell
bleeding 10 the ground. Tuesdell was arrested but
upon an investigation was discharged through tho
Influence Of Tie Colonel MIR. 1. heard that the
Tiger subsequently died of his wound Soon after
tins occurred he eudeav0rod to- escape but WIS ar
ie.ted, taken back, and punished By n nights i'm
lffoiment lie evacuated Ccntreyille and Ma.
nh-sas ~ the same time with the Rebel
amy and gives 1t as lis opinion that the rsusOn for
tue movement was on account OF the lar &c numbers
OF tie men who were absent on THROUGH. Afier|
eyaruiiing the above place, the troops, about
lVVJD IN number, Went 10 NarrentOn, thence 10
t1ipeiper tonu-ll0uhe, thence to Orange Court
House, where they halted and drilled two weeks.
Al tbs poiut tloy were reJoined by the men whose
iurioughs had expired, coming back from every
point OF the South. Thence the Rebel army wen
10 Fredcr.ksbgrg, but their orders were
o0unieImanCed from Richmond, via Louisa Court.
lloue. From Richmond the army, numbering about
bO,WO men, were transported by every available
means to Yorktown, TO reeniorce Macgruder who
had about 10000 men. There they staid about three
weeks until the evacuation, which happened on