The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-12-24
FROM 'DOWN THE RIVER"
OK BOARD THE COMMERCIAL,
December lS. 1862.

DecemDer 10, ICOA. 4
My DEAR JoURxAL:-The CONNER
cial-on full river-is steaming rapidly
toward Dixie The Wabash is pouring
out" and we are happily rid of all anx-
iety of detention by the bars. The
crowds to be found on all Memphis
steamers in these days of grim-visaged
war;" differ widely from those which, in
the palmy days of yore, graced the sa-
looms of the almost forgotten Northerner
and Southerner. The war intrudes itself
everywhere, and changes the phase of
society as completely as though another
generation peopled this great valley.
Here we have cotton spectators, sut-
lers, officers with heavy shoulder straps,
women seeking their husbands and bro
theirs somewhere in the rebel ranks, with
now and then traveller for pleasure.
Among all these the war is an endless
topic of conversation. Most of our trav-
ellers have been in the atmosphere of
secession, and have imbibed more or
less sympathy with the rebellion. They
talk of the Confederate army of the
Confederate Government" and a gen.
tleman near me just now, was decidedly
of the opinion that 1.-THE Federals had
been badly whipped at Fredericksburg"
These straws upon the current of the
ha fpli hot he
wind is Southerly," and the warmth of
it is calculated to raise a fever in the
blood of loyal man. One rery- South
erly looking young man with long hair,
and an extensive display of very suspi-
cious looking jewelry, gives it as his
candid opinion that the Presidents pro-
clamation is infamous" &c. He fur
ther enlightened us with the entirely
novel remark that the aim of the Aboli-
tionists ii. e. the North) is to make
"niggers as good as white men," 1t
struck me that niger who was more
worthless than this tobacco splitting
youngster, would be about as valuable as
Confederate note
l wish to call your attention to the
"Science of Government as developed
in the laws regulating commerce on the
Ohio. l mean. the way "How Not to
Do It." The Commercial left Louis
vile Monday evening, with a cargo
regularly permitted by the Surveyor.
Among the freight were different lots for
towns on the Kentucky shore. Arriving
at Evansville, Capt Archer was inform
ed of the new regulations published in
the Evansville Journal by Lieut.. Fitch
and he unloaded and stored his freight
intended for interdicted points below
The men owning these goods bough
them in Louisville upon the assurance
that Government permit from the sur
veyor of the port was sufficient. 1t ap
pears that it is not. Every new law OF
the subject ought to be widely published
in order that all men, and especially
steamboatmen, may know their duty anC
live up to it. I venture to say there il
not merchant in Evansville who to-da7
knows whether Maj. Robinsons permi
is good, unendorsed by Lieut. Fitch l
is the ancient and honorable "Circumlo
! cution Office" system over again, ant
should be suspended for the present, a
, least
l learn that young man named Johl
Gregory was accidentally shot and killet
to-day by a soldier W ho was playing witt
a revolver.
We are approaching Cairo, and " dr.,
3 up" in order to mail this to you by tn
? first boat. We will be fortunate if ou
! boat is uot "gobbled up" by the Quar-
Q termaster at Cairo for the transportation
! of troops. In this connection may in
!, form you (after the style of the Cincin
natl Commercially that the great -
o expedition, with - troops and -
r gunboats and - guns, leaves Cair
for - in few days. ANY extra com
e pensation you allow me for this extra
ordinary intelligence will be grateful
: received. Each one of your readers cal
fill up the blanks to suit himsel
STRATEGY is strategy"
/. The Commercial maintains her ar
cient reputation as frst-class boat, an
her passengers, under the kind atter
=. tions of Capt. Archer and Mr. Geo. Hart
!. are entirely g at home"
In the classic language of the CUR
e boatmen, 1--WE sail at dawn" for fol
ward movement" on Memphis l wi
bring you one of Gen Sherman's fifty
C ceut bales of cotton and all the rebe
papers to be had for love or money.
i Till then, "my boy" adoO.
o SILAS.