Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-07-16

specie be has 10 bic pOsSess,on, ~ occs'
sion requires, 10 less than three weeks
it would be a. plenty as it was two
months ago.-N. Y. Times, July 12th.
LETTER FROM THE SIXTEENTH.
OAxr BsrosD Coa1srs. Quarter. Of 18th ,a Iowa
EDS. DExocRAr.-1he "Army Of the
Tennessee" has no doubt long ceased
to be an object Of interest to the public
mind, occupied, as it il by the thrilling
conflicts before Richmond, yet it exists,
and hopes at some future time to prove
it's proves 10 combat IS decisive. The
interest the soldiers Of this army feel 10
the news from the east surpasses that of
Wall Street itself; and this interest 10
taken advantage Of by mischievous per-
son., who circulate all the imaginable
tales of battles ever concocted by hu.
man ingenuity. One wakes in the
morning to hear that Richmond is ia.
ken, with $4,000 prisoners the news
'comes from headquarters" at break
fast you are informed that Mcclellan is
driven back 20 miles, and loses 100
siege guns; at drill you hear that Sigel
has burned Richmond with hot shot at
dinner Sigel is slain while defending
battery; at afternoon drill you hear
tba, Mcclellan is fugitive, and at eve.
ming he ia driving the rebels out Of
Virginia. The excitement which was
once so prevalent in these parts, has
passed away, aud all the military move
meots are confined to chasing guerrillas
or stray secesh sueakiug back home.
There is supposed to be force Of ten
thousand infantry under John c. Brock
inridge, somewhere to the south Of us,
near Okxlona, but as they are under the
impression that they are "holding Hal
leck in check" they keep out Of the
way OF the Yankees.
A deserter from their ranks, Who
lately reached Corinth, and took the oath
Of allegiance, tells the following story Of
himself: He is saddler by trade, aud
pursued his usual avocation at Corinth,
until q few weeks before the evacuation,
when he was pressed into the Confeder.
ate States service by the conscript act.
He was Union man 10 sentiment, but
dare not offer opposition or reveal HIS
sentiments. He served in the army till
the evacuation aud marched to Okolo-
na. Here he watched for Nm opportun-
ity to escape, but the number o, persons
shot BY senlinels warned i'm that cum
ming, not daring, was necessary. Time
passed on, and he began to despair,
when Que morning call vas made for
a spy to penetrate our picket lines and
ascertain our exact position and
strength. He Immediately offered him
self as several others did, add urged bis
knowledge Of the country so strongly
that he was selected. He accordingly
stated for our lines, and reaching an
uncIe's house the next evening, be ex.
changed his uniform for citizen dress,
and on the ensuing morning repaired to
neighboring brook and caught a fine
string Of fish. Armed with these repre-.
senta,ives Of peace he was allowed to
pass our lines unmolested, and making
his way to Corintb, be took the oath Of
allegiance, aud is setting up saddler
shop in conjunction with q Yankee
"mud.sill."
The Inhabitants of this section arc all
anxious tor closing Of the war, beng
convinced that our victorious banner is
destined to overcome its upstart rival.
There is one course being pursued by
the citizens Of Northern cities which is
Of rather doubtful policy. That ie, the
sending Of vast quantities Of provisions
to this point, TO be distributed to the 10.
habitants who are iu distress for food.
Now foil two thirds Of this food goes to
the families OF secesh soldiers who are
now off on the amiable mission Of
butchering Union volunteers, who,
knowing that their wives and children
are being better cared for now than
they ever were before, care not about re-.
turning. Cut off this supply, and let
them know that their families are snffer-
ing, and they will make quick work with
desertion. If the families must be pre-
vented from starving, let . tax be i'm
posed on the rich nabobs who started
the men off to war, and who are now
giving Uoionists their io.olence. I'll
there be . surplus Of food in the North.
and such fIuntAln Of generosity, why
not supply the wants Of the families Of
volunteers, which are in need, and let
Southern traitors care for their own
herd.
A ine instance Of punishment occur
red near the camp Of this bri x.ds. Nesr |
10 lies the extensive plantation Of Ger
tain Whitfield, who has two sons IN the |
secesh army, one holding the rank Of
Colonel, and the other . subordinate |
position. The plantation il ~ fne one
= :. this country can produce. He had
ns. orchards Of plum. apple, pear and
pe.cn treea and - fine . garden Of
vesesaoies = one would wish 20 look
WIN their usual copstsay or elR-l
oele Pieeea . gnasd osse III pu,mipos,l
ven ksow'ag how . soldiers stomach