Smyrna times., 1862-10-02
Condition Of the Rebel Army.

The New York Times says, we have just had an
opportunity of cOnversng with one of our surgeons
who was captured at Harpers Ferry---a gentleman
OF scientific habit of mind and close observation
lie had the opportunity which, till then, had scarce
" been enjoyed by any loyaist, of seeing nearly the
whole rebel army march by, as they were crossing
the Potomac. There were two corps darmes---that
OF Longstrect and Stonowall Jackson they marched
In two solid columns over the bridges and were
about fifteen hours in passing. This gentleman
counted the numbers in given time and then made
rough estimate Jf the whole force his reckon
ing would show those corps alone numbering close
upon $4,000.
lie had heard the usual accounts Of the costume.
appearance and condition Of the rebel army, and
IKE most OF US, supposed them sxaggerations. But
nc now says that no descriptions he has seen np
proach the truth. There never was bchcld such
gang dragged, rowdy looking men, 1t was like
an army of rag g-pickers. There was no union or
attempt at uniform. Officers and men were equally
dirty and dlngy. The hats wcro commonly old
Wldc-AwakGs," stained by long campaign, often
with the tops gone and the hair streaming out
The trowscrs wcre Of all colors, and generally in
v,
were dirty and ragged. and ofien well creased bv
Inc piece OF bacon which each carried on his
blyonet. The shirts were black with long use.
Dne officer told our informant that he had not been able
to change his shirt for six wecks Their blankcts
were Of all coors and naturalization bits ofcarpot
ing Nnd old bcd-comforters. Noarv one-half OF the
mon were barelooted. Tney carried their crackers
and bullets and caps all together in their pockets
Both officers AMI men were excessively lousy and
the stencil from the passing columns was almost
unbcarable.
As they marched by, men we're surprised al
hEst at the great number of field officers rday in
the lines, and then at the small numbers gathered
around the flags. Their first theory was that these
were sections Of regiments each with separate dag
But they soon discovered that they were bona fde
regiments, numbering from l50 to 300 men, with
with their own banners and mounted officers Many
OF these regiments, thoy were informed, had num-
bercd l,0J9 and ll0O men. Their method #
treating their sick and wounded would account for
much Of this diminuton. After each regiment fol-
lowed some halfdozen men with stretchcrs. and
whenever fell out of the ranksfron sic knesa he
was taken at to the nearest house and le there
to the mereies of the country people. So with those
wounded or operated on in battle. They were never
carried with the army. The men were by no means
IN good spirits They told informant that they
had been constantly walking since the battles before
Richmond and with very little to eat. They re-
preached Jackson with working them too hard.
There was no enthusiasm shown By any # them,
and the North Carolinans and Irish were particular
ly lukewarm. The Vrginians alone expressed sors
bitterness. on account Of the ravages which their
State had suffered. They evidently felt the deepest
disappointment at their reception in Maryland
With regard to the future prospects of the war their
great hope and sustaining assurance was, that the
two new levics, BY volunteering and drafting, could
not possibly be raised at the North We had come.
they believed, to the end of our power.
The whole rebel army had to the eyes of this
mendlcai gentleman and his associates, WORKOUT
exhausted look. The physique was inferior to that
of our men, and they evidently suffered fiom want
Of food and oyerwork. Even the horses looked
wretchcdly.
With such testimony this, from persons ac
customcd especially to Judge of the physical condi
ton of men, what may not be believed of the present
condition of the rebel army.