The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-11-11
tcOrresponAence Cine mat Commercial
The Feeling in the Southern Army
What the Conscripts say about the
Union and the War-Kirby Smiths
Force Bragg's Army and its Con-
.dition. y. 4 sss - oagoialaa

Union and the War-Kirby Smiths
rce-Braggs Army and its Con-
.dItlons so 1893 sfs oagomlo'
gal LExISaToN, Oct 80 1882.
have often heard the remark made
that it would never be possible for the
two sections Of this country again to live
in harmony with each other. Such per-
sons, as'youwelI know, reason thus The
SOnlhern people are So exasperated, are
so bitterly hostile TO the people OF tho
North, THAT never would thew consent
again 70 hold any intercourse With them
whatever Now, sir, have had means
OF testiHg the feelings of the Southern
army on this point II have talked with
soldiers from Texas, Arkansas, Georgia,
Virgins, and Tennessee, aud think I
know howa great many Of them feel iii
this respect. There is a large number of
conscripts mixed up with the old army of
the south; did not see or hear Of any
neto regiments while the rebels were in
Kentucky Almost toa man, these con-
scripts are very anxious to get out OF the
army, and get back to their homes. They
are not all Union men, but they are very,
very tired of the war, and want peace.
They acknowledge that the old Govern
mens was good enoughfor them, and that
this war was caused by the oyerween-
ing ambition Of their politicians, They
are ready for peace upon any terms
so that they can get out OF the
Harmy, and get back TO their suffering
| families. Besides these, there is another
portion Of the conscripts who are Union
men, who still believe the old Government
viii be restored, and who will pray for
the success of its arms, still revere the
old nag and weep when they see il dis
hOnored. They are in the rebel army,
but they are not Of that army. Many Of
them have not fred their guns since they
were forced into the ranks, and they say
they never will shoot Mt Union man
A large number of these conscripts de-
serted white in Kentucky. Fayette, Gar
rard, and Madison counties were full of
these men, hiding from their army. Many
OF them have been paroled, thinking that
then they could return to their homes
and families. But, alas poor fellows,
theylhave been caught up and sent TO
| Vicksburg to be exchanged and TO go
again into the, service they despise.
| They are afraid TO take the oath of alle-
glance, and then return South. Some of
them wanted to do so, and remain in Ken
lucky; but they knew their wives and
little ones were suffering for bread, and
they concluded to take paroles, and risk
| getting home again. Some of them took
the oath, and are still in Kentucky.
talked with one young man from Georgia
who, although paroled, wanted to go to
your State, and make, some money for
his aged parents. Nor are all of these
deserters either conscripts or priVates.
Some OF them have been In the army
since the war began, and some of them
are officers as high as Captains Pri-
Yates who fought at Pea Ridge, at Shiloh,
at Corinth, at Mill Spring, at Wild Cat,
and Donelson, were in the fight at Rich-
mOnd, under Kirby Smith.
1t Is asgreat mistake TO think that the
rebels have filed up their old regiments
even to the minimum number with new
recruits. The largest regiment Kirby
Smith had numbered four hundred and
| fifty his brigades, about 1000, and his
divisions, about $500 or 1000.
| His whole force was counted again, and
again, while. here. In fact he never
moved body of troops that was NOT
counted by scores Of Union men. His
| whole force, cavalry, infantry and ar
tillery, did not amount TO over 1900;
and this count includes Morgan's brigade
Of cavalry. The rebels did not get 5000
new recruits in Kentucky, and not take
out over half Of them. a7 Ynll
| Now, Sir, one word as 10 the oompo-
sitiOn Of this army, Is il an. army OF
Southern gentlemen By no means
The officers are generally men OF some
standing in society, and many Of them,
doubtless, are planters, and the sons OF
1 planters; but the priyates are the poor
people Of the SOuth--the -labOrers-
Irish, Dutch, and American. They are
generally very ignorant, and nearly al
ways very dirty and ragged. Many,
very many, OF them were lousy, even
so much so that the negroes re-
fused TO wash their clothes. One gem
tIeman remarked that SCOTS famous
Southern Cavalry could have no filter
designation than mounted vermin. These
men said that all the troops Bragg had
were with him in Kentucky They also
said that -four and meal were very scarce
10 the South; but beef was plentiful
Such is the army of the rebel commands
ers. The officers are very bitter; the
privates are tired of fighting, and want
peace. The officers will never consent
10 a restoration of the Government; the
priyates are ready for ii now. The Off
GERS are proud naughty, tyrannical, in
suIting, cruel; the priyates submissive
and low spirited, but discontinued.
/ firmly believe that Gen. Bragg, since
he moved into Kentucky, has lost Is, 600
men, in different ways; aud / also be-
lieve thathe will not have arms enough
to supply what men he has when be gels
back 10 Knoxville. Many Of them were
THROWN away in HE retreat across the
mountains. General Bragg, undoubtedly,
So