Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-17
A correspondent says:

rid of him.
A correspondent says:
Yet another illustration of the behavior OF
the rebels to their own people, and one ol
their average morality. Six women, discov-
cred in a house near West Point assert that
they were rayished by Esgrudsr and his staff,
in consequence of a suspicion Of Union sym
pathies attaching to them.
Apropos, may say incidentally, that 1t is
my rooted conviction that the enemy pos
sesses, among other characteristics of the
savage, that of confounding our exhibitions
OF mercy-rsther weakly manifested, some
times, for the Seeesh prisoners taken at Viii
liamsburg were absolutely iOaizsd-with
cowardice. HSee how these - Yankees
want to be friends" thinks grimly earnest
Secessia; they are but half hearted in their
belief in their cause, after al, while we"
a suggestive touch of the three-feet bowie-
knife (such q one eHcrUsted with blood has
lust been shown to mel finishes the picture.
We're 1 Union General, would try to dis
cover who ordered the placing Of those tor
pedOes in the streets and enVirons of York
town, and when captured that rebel, 1
would sssuredly have him blown froms can
mons mouth, thinking did God and human
ity service. The English knew ROD to put
down rebellion.
Enough. Returning to the inhabitants; l
think the black ones rather enjoyed the dis
eomhture of secessia, and welcomed the
Yankees. 0ey told Us you was going to
brand Us like hosses-te sell US to Cuba
most dat you had horns and huffs !" said
tall, smart, mulstto girl to me, as she waited
ct table, after cooking our party hasty
meal, of which We furnished the material
"but was big fool 'nuf 70 believe it2 You
just de best people ebber see-dats 90 p
Not negro but appeared confident that he
or she could not, in any way, suffer from US
and might possibly receive benefit hope
it will prove 50. "
In agreeable contrast to this, is the rscep-
tion of our troops at Portsmouth, near Nor
folk. OF this, q correspondent of the Tribune
saws: M us
The burning Of the nsVy-ysrd, running
every mechanic in Portsmouth, had filed
full the cup Of indignation against their trail
to7Ous tyEants. Our troops were welcomed
as deliverers. Women, and even men,
thronged about the advancing column of the
18th regiment the evening before, and in
sisted on kissing the old flag" weeping
tears. of joy as they did so,cr Almost every
woman met and half the men, bowed and
smiled, gladly saying q You are welcome"
This was of course not as an Individual, for
I knew none of the throng, but was recog-
milton of my connection with the army. The
humblest soldier received an equal welcome.
Boquets of flowers were profered from the
blooming gardens, and two citizens earnestly
Drofered me a breakfast in an eating house
near Exhausted and hungry from nights
march, diversified only by ride for q part
Of the way in a mule wagon over the worst
Of roads, cheerfully accepted the invitation. |
On entering the house, the good Weman who !
kept it said, HWell, Sir, what will you haye7 |
,ecollect we have to live pretty plainly here" |
0h,D was my answer, 81 am used to simple |
living in the army; give me bit OF beef
Bteak, and that will do.h Steak l' was the |
"We have none" avery well,
Iome ham and eggs" "Eggs there are
none to be had now" nAhI then Just some
bread and butter and a cup of tea" "But-
,er and tea u said my poor hostess, rFSir, the
ike of rs poor folks hsVn't seen such tLings
or q long time, nor is there pound of tea
% be bought in Rlll Portsmouth, I rather
iespaired Of any further calling Of the bill Of
are, and left it entirely to my entertainers,
Who soon produced some ham, corn bread
'ye coffee, and excellent oysters. This fnd
o have been luxurious meal amid this
Itarving population. The excitement was
Intensified when insisted on paying q quar-
er Of dollar for my entertainment dWhat
cal money! said the poor woman, and she
it at once to an sdmiring crowd,
Who looked upon it as 8 memento of their
,ygone happy days. have narrated this IN.
ident accurately, as it shows the almost ut
er destitution both Of money and provisions
N the part ef the inha1itants OF this long
oppressed people.
Our army arrived in Norfolk In time TO
revent q great auction sale of free negroes
rho had failed to pay their city taxes. One
undred and twelve males and two hundred
nd four females were advertised to be sold
I Monday last for their taxes. It may well
e believed that the negroes Of Norfolk vel
1med the Uaion troops, if no one else did.
l 4