The Portland daily press., 1862-09-20
The Rebel Traons in MARYLAND.

The following are extracts from converse
ton which the editor of the Baltimore Ameri-
can had on Friday last, with gentleman who
had Just arrived from Frederick, where he had
been during four days of the period it was oc-
cuped by Bradley johnson and his followers:
@. What is the number of the rebels?
A. 1t would be impossible to say. They
are, however, in large force, should suppose
not less than 10000 men, though they claim to
be over 100000. One of the most intelligent
of them told me that nearly the whole force
who fought Pope are with them.
Q. Did they obtain many recruits in Fred
erick?
A. Not many from Frederick, but there was
about five hundred came from Baltimore, Anne
Arundel. Montgomery and Carroll counties,
and some from Baltimore city. After seeing
the character of the army and the life which
the men led, many of them refused to join and
were getting home again. When leaving my
SELF met six young men from Carroll county,
and piloted them to Westminster. They ac-
knowledged that they had been to Frederick
to ioin the army, but after, seeing and smell
ing" it. had concluded to return home. They
begged me not to give their names.
Q. What did they mean by smelling?
A. They meant exactly what they said
have never seen mass of such filthy, strong
smelling men. Three of them in room would
make it unbearable, and when marching in col
umn along the streets the smell from them
was most offensive. There are some of the
better class of men among them, but the great
mass are men of the lowest caste, and although
under strict discipline, the filth that pervades
them is most remarkable. Their sympathiz-
ers at Frederick have been greatly disappoint-
ed in the character of the army, and most of
them are now as anxious for them to disappear
as they were for them to come. Their coming
to Frederick has been a sad visitation to the
middling classes, many OF whom have lost
everything in exchange for rebel scrip, es-
pecaly the storekeepcrs. They have no uni
forms, but are well armed and equipped, and
have become SO Injured to hardships that they
care but little for any of the comforts of civil
ization.
Q. What was the general appearance of the
rebel soldiers?
A. They were the toughest looking set of
creatures ever saw, their features, hair, and
clothing matted with dirt and filth, and the
scratching they kept up gave warrant of ver-
Irin in abundance. The secession ladies of
Frederick used to call the troops of Gen.
Banks 'nasty, dirty creatures and the Union
lists had adopted species of signs to remind
them OF their old taunts. Whenever Union
ist met secessionist in the street he would
commence to scratch, which all understood.
Q. What do you think of the purpose of the
rebel army?
A.. They admit that their coming into Mary
land was a aquestion of starvation or food. They
were almost famshed for food when they
reached the Potomac. and say that for three
days they had lived principally on green corn
and apples.
Q. But what is their purpose now?
A. They are in full force, and undoubtedly
proposed when they crossed the river to meet
Gen. Pope, and serve him as they did on the
other side of the river, and capture Washing
ton. But when they heard that Gen. McClel-
Ian was before them in full command they be-
came more cautious in their movements.
Q. What is their opinion of Gen. Mcclellan !?
A. They respect him and fear him. In fact
they laugh at Pope and Mcdowell, and say
that they advance on them with the fullest
confidence of defeating them and destroying
their army. Had they found Pope in command
on the Maryland side they think they would
have been in Washington in few days.