The Nevada Democrat., 1862-02-20
COnalslOn OF the Rebel ARMY.

According 10 the statements of late
Southern papers the rebel army numbers
about 100000 men. OF these, some 10000
are twelve months men whose term of en-.
listment will expire in the course oFa month
or two, aud accOrding TO rebel authority,
they refuse, almost 10 man, 10 re.enlist
The Richmond Examiner, of january Qa,
drawsa gloomy picture Of affairs in rebel
dom. aud 10 regard TO the condition of the
army, says:
The present condition OF Uur aftaS IL d
cause Of severe aud painful anxiety. De-
mOralizatiOn Is creeping in, from the inpane
aud reckless neglect of ihe Government 10
sustain and TO cultivate tbe spirit of our
sOldiery.
There is too much drunkenness among the
officers on the Potomac, and TOO much va
cant idling among the men. We are in.
formed as q positive fact that In the majors
ity Of the army on The Potomac, the prac.
lice OF regimental drills has fallen into COM
Dlete djsuse what oau
be predicted but utter generalization for
an army whose condition Is that of tens of
thousands Of men living In utter idleness,
groveling in their tents, with no occupation
bot what is afforded by the greasy pack Of
cards that is the inevitable inmate OF every
tent, or The yellow covered novel, whose
wFeiched and perhaps flltby entertainment
has more than once gone the rounds of the
company.
We cannot shut our eyes to the fact, that
the army is becoming a name of terror and
dread to the minds of our citizens. The
newspapers are still filed with advertise.
ments of bonuses for 'snbstitutes,' although
the War Department has adopted rule re-
stricting the number of substitutions to one
In each company. The rates paid for sub
situtes are enormous. We are Informed
that they average from $500 to $3.50; and
we have been told of recent instance
where 81 500 was paid for the prompt pro.
curement of substitute to take the place
of private suddenly constrained TO leave
the army. Evidences stare Us In the face
Of the unwilliDgness of men to accept the
life of famine. dirt and vacant idlenes In
the army. Richmond ia filed with soldiers
who have come out of the hospitals, or who
have got here on eome pretense or other
applying for discharges and striving aud
wriggling 10 all sorts OF ways TO get o1t of
the army. II was but few days ago that
soldier, discharged from one Of the hOspi-
tails here, committed suicide rather than be
constrained to return TO The army.
There is no unwillingness among our
young men to serve their country. There
are thousands who would willingly 60 With
their lives on their slevees to battle with
the enemy. aud TO attest devoted and
courageous patriotism, but who dread to be-
take themselves TO the wreiched, half fed
life OF dirt, vacancy and idleness in camps.
This is the restraint upon volunteering.
Why was II that when our
soldiers we're daily dying by hundreds, the
Government did not show the common hu.
manity of the small measures of Institnting
a medical commission to examine the camps
and II possible, check the progress aud raw
ages Of disease.
The Richmond Examiner, Of January 4tb,
referring to the army, says:
Doomed to inactioD, and rotting on straw
we have lost more by disease than dozen
victories have cost; and we have lost the
national reputation we enjoyed for dash and
elan. Unless there is promise, ,land one to
be relied on, of total change In thispoIicy
of the great Cunctst0r. we shall have no
more volunteers after the expiration Of the
present term.