Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-09-19

VIII wipe from existence at least the CrlDe
now engaged in hostility against the whites
THE RAID INTO MARYLAND
, FOUR DAYS EXPERIENCE WITH THE
REBELS IN FREDERICK.
The Baltimore american reports CONVEX
sation with gentleman who was in Freder
lex when Bradley johnson (whose home was
in Frederick previous to his entering the rebe
army and his rebel followers came into the
city, and remained there four days, not leav-
ing until Tuesday evening. We append SO
much of this conversation as is of Importance
Question. Was there any Federal money
used by them in their purchases?
Answer None at all that heard Of The
only money beside confederate scrip was some
South Carolina money. They have perfectly
cleared every thing out of the city in the way
of clothing and provisions; so much so that if
they remain a week longer both soldiers and
people will b, in starving condition. They
go around the town, also, begging something
to eat, but always offer confederate scrip in
payment.
O. How did the storekeepers fare?
A. They have sold every thing, and been
compelled to give good money in change
They were ordered to opened their stores by
Bradley johnson, and did not dare to refuse
the money offered A. D. Delashman, one
of the leading secessionists, had large stock
Of boots and shoes, and while dealing them
out for rebel scrip, fairly grit his teeth in 81
lence when some of his Union friends congrat-
uated him on the fine business he was doing.
Mr. Delashman was one of the committee of
| citizens who went out to welcome the rebels
to the city.
| @. Has any of the houses of the Union
citizens who absented themselves been in
vaded?
A. The only house occupied by the rebels
is that of Gen. Cooper, and it is not abused.
A party of soldiers, melted by some of the Sc
cession town people, broke into the Frederick
Examiner office, and commenced to destroy
the office furniture, when secession lawyer
named Coss interfered, and the provost guard
coming up soon dispersed the party. Bradley
johnson told them that any attempt to renew
the outrage on private property would be pun
ished with death.
Q. Did they obtain many recruits in Fred
erick?
A. Not many in Frederick, but there was
about 500 came in 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
myself met six young men from Carroll
county, and piloted them to Westminster.
They acknowledged that they had been to
Frederick to join the army, but after seeing
and smelling" it, had concluded to return
home They begged me not to give their
names.
@. What did they mean by smelling it
A. They meant exactly what they said. l
have never seen a mass of such filthy strong
smelling men. Three of them in a room
would make it unbearable and when march
ing in column along the street 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 sympathizers in Frederick have been
greatly disappointed 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 sad visitation to the middling classes,
many of whom have lost everything in ex-
change for rebel scrip, especially the store
keepers. They have no uniforms but are
well armed and equipped, and have become
so immured to hardships that they care but
little for any of the comforts of civilization.
@. What was the general appearance of
the rebel soldiers?
A. They were the toughest looking set Of
creatures | ever saw; their features, hair and
+toJ NTH dirt oo1 fi1th and the
scratching they kept up, gave warrant of YER
min in abundance; the secession ladies of
Frederick used to call the troops Of General
Banks "nasty, dirty creatures" and the
Unionists had adopted species of signs to
remind them of their old taunts whenever
Unionist met secessionist on the street, he
would commence to scratch, which all under
stand.
@. What do you think of the purposes of
the rebel army?
A. They admit that their coming into
MARYLAND was question of starvation or food;
thew were almost famished for food when
thew reached the Potomac, and say that for
three days they had lived principally on
green corn and apples.
| O, But what is their purpose now?
A. The starting of Gen. jackson with his
|
900 to 10000 men of all arms, toward Ha-
gerstown was looked upon as the first indl-
cation of backward movement There were
also evidences of trepidation among the
troops, who began to think they were not on
safe ground.
@. Did the secessionists of Frederick give
them any demonstration of welcome?
A. The great mass of the latter classes OF
the sympathizers in Frederick have kept en-
tirely aloof from them, and regret their pres
ence Those of no property and but little
sense gave them noisy welcome, and some
of them will 60 back to Virginia with them
not to Join the army, but to avoid the draft.
A committee of secession citizens went out
to welcome them, but most of them were soon
ashamed of the course they had pursued
The secession store keepers have lost their
goods with others, and wear most dolorous
countenances.
Q. Have they driven any cattle across the
river?
A. Well, cannot say positively. They
have driven great deal of cattle through the
town, some of them out in the direction OF
their camps, and some toward the fords. Ut
course no one is permitted to go toward the
fords. have heard, however, that they have
driven large quantities of cattle across.
| EGe Kirby Smiths rebels, who have
menanced Cincinnati, have fallen back beyond
Florence, KY. for supplies and to wait for
Braggs army to come up. In Cincinnati
though scarcely secure from attack, business
has been partially resumed, but drilling still