The New York herald., 1862-02-10
INTERESTING STATEMENT OF A REFUGEE
FROM THE SOUTH.
[From the Boston Traveller, Feb.

A young colored man, named Samuel Ripley, who, in
company with number Of others, free and slaves.
Monroe and thoncs came to this city, gives clear and
connected account Of the present condition OF affairs In
Virginia. which may be OF some Interest to our readers
Mr. Ripley Is free man. having been manumitted by his
master take effect at the age Of twcntyone but for
some reason the deed was not carried into effect.
The cause Of tho fight OF Mr.. Ripley and his com.
panions was the fact that the rebel authorities that
region mprsssug colored men, both free and slave,
into the Confederate army IN some cases 1ne masters
bed the prospect Of losing their services, The pan
pursued TO seize the coorsd men and put them in
jail for safe keeping where they kept until suf
fcisnt number mad been collected to form o company
They were then Manassas be drilled by white
officers Six hundred left for Manassas short time be-
Some coiored men escaped the impressmsnt by pay
ing one hundred dollars for white substitute. Mr. Rip
lev and his companions escaped in boat belonging 10
white man, which had been left on the shore. In this
they embarked night down the river, and by daylight
the next morning were OF Newport News, where they
were well received
Upon one or two points informant speaks quite de-
cisiyely. He has COR a number Of months acted as
driver FOR one Of the teams Of the Petersburg cavalry
we'll armed company Of that city, composed in part OF
OF the leading men Of the place The time OF this
company would be out in about three months and he
has heard them declare that no power would induce
them to 70 enlist, they had suffered much. He knew
of two regiments OF coored men In the Southern army
one was from South Carolina, hundred strong and
another from Georgia, one thousand strong. In both
the officers were white The latter was composed
in part OF Of perfect desperadoss Neither Of
these his opinion would reenlSt nor did he believe
that large number Of any regiment in Virginia
could bo induced remain after their time had
PRED. "
of proper supplies OF the Decessares OF life Is causing
great suffering Tea selling at ten dollars pound,
salt at eny five dollars per SACK and common sugar
twenty cents per pound The crops OF last year,
in consequence Of tho want Of Market resulted In great
loss. -. j.
for two obecsto koop the federal troops out and tho
slayes from running away. They have battery on
Cedar Point Nansemond river and another at Barrelts
Point.
silver and gold have almost disappeared from crcula-
ton and all sorts OF substitutes adopted such a.
peces OF leather cards stamped for I'VE ten cents
The pay Of the troops at rst eleven dollars month,
has been dollars In Confederate money
In regard 10 Union sentiment, II any exists 1t is sup
pressed By fear Tho only ouspoken Union man known
by Mr.. Ripley Is clergyman.
Al the commencement Of ths rebellion OF the larg
ost Shareholders In favor Of the Unicn but In short
time he was obliged 70 suocumb. The women wsre 90
general thing jealous favor Of the South The slaves
throughout the State well aware OF what going on,
and II the opportunity offered would escape In large
numbers They especially alarmed ~ the stories in
crcuatou that case OF another attack upon Manassas
the negroes would be put In front 10 meet the ns
4 saught Of the federal troops.
Tho rebels profess 70 confident OF success, but
terribly alarmed in regard to ths Burnside expedition,
which they believed threatened the safety OF both Nor
fok and Richmond They place great dependence upon
! reported TO be anoat before Mr. Ripley left.