Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-09-18

come. Their coming to Frederick has been
a'sad visitation to the middling classes, many
tof whom have lost everything in exchange
for Rebe! scrip, especially the storekeepers.
They have no uniforms, but are all we'll arm
ed and equipped, and have become so Injured
to hardships that they care but little for any
of the com fsrts of civilization.
q. What was the general appearance of
the Rebel soldiers
A. They were the toughest looking set OF
creatures | ever saw, their features, hair and
clothing matted with dirt aid filth 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 T.
nionSts had adopted species of signs to re-
mind them Of their old taunts. Whenever
a UniOnist met Secessonist on the street he
would commence to scratch which all under
stood.
Q, What do you think Of the purpose Of
the Rebel army?
A. They admit that their coming into Ma
ryland was question OF starvation, or food.
They were almost furnished for food when
they reached the Potomac, and say that for
three days they had lived principally on green
corn and apples.
Q. But what is their purpose now?
A. They are in full force, and undoubted-
ly proposed when they crossed the river to
meet General Pope aud serve him as they did
on the other side of the river and capture
Washington. But when they heard that
General Mcclellan was before them in full
command they became more cautious in their
movements.
O. What is their opinion of General Nc
Cellau?
A. They respect him and fear him. In
fact, they laugh at Pope and Mcdowell, aud
say that they advanced on them with the
fullest confidence Of defeating them and des-
troyng their army. Had they found Pope
in command on the Maryland side they th nix
they would have been in Washington in a
few DAYS.
O. But what is their purpose now
+ 4. Well, when ] left Frederick on lue3-
day evening it was under the conviction that
they were about to leave, and (.aIed that
they might desire to take me with them.
had mixed among them so much, and talked
SO freely that | feared they would think
knew too much TO be left behind. There
was every indication that they had become
alarmed at the systematic movements If Cen
eral Mcclellan, and were looking well to Sc
cure a safe line Of rrtreqt back to Virginia.
The starting of jackson with his immense
division, estimated at from $4,000 to 10000
men Of all arms towards Hagerstown WAS
looked upon as the first indications Of = back
ward movement. There were also evidences
Of trepdation among the troops who began
to think they were not on safe ground.
9. Do you think they had any expectation
of reaching Baltimore?
a. Not unless tacy had first succeeded in
defeating Mcclellan aud capturing Washing
ton. They would never leave the line Of The
Potomac 50 long as General Mcclellan was
at hand to move in their rear.
Q. Did the Secessionists Of Frederick give
them any demonstrations Df welcome
A. The great mass OF the better classes Of
the symrathiZsrs in Frederick have kept en-
tireiy aloof from them, and regret their pres
ence Those Of 10 property and but little
sense gave them "A noisy welcome and souIe
OF them will so back to Virginia with them
-not to join the army, hut to avoid the draft
committee of Secession citizens went ont
to welcome them, but most Of them were soon
ashamed Of the course they had purSued.---
The Secession storckeepers have lost their
goods With others, AID wear most dolorcus
q. Did Bradley johnson ride around town
with the American fla tied to his spurs?
\. heard he did, but did not see it my
self. | however frequently saw horsemen
driving through the city with the American
flag trailing in the dust after them. They
took down all they could fnd, and thus
dragged them after them them TO their camps.
@. Was their language violent?
Va. vary vIDlapt nuo:,,gf tl,e Napkrpa
It was a common saying that they desired
no better sport than to kill and quarter a
Yankee. An officer speaking to Secession
lady in this strain. SAD he would "kill, cut
up. aud fry = Yankee with as much pleasure
as he would chicken" little pet negro
OF the lady, called Topsy, who was listening
eyes wide cpen, here put in the exclamation,
"And, massa, would You cat him too =
9. 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 ont in the direction
Of their camps, and some toward the fordS.
OF course, no one is permitted to go toward
the fords. | have heard, however, that they
have driven large quantities Of cattle aoross.
y. 10 you tninh lucy -iHleUI 10 ti4ttf
Pennsylvania?
A. Not unless ttey defeat the army Of
General Mcclellan. then of course they will
be able to go where they choose. The move
ments of Jackson up towards HagerFtown,
is with the intention Of making raids into
PENNSYLVANIA but If General Lee il driven
from the line Of the Monocacy by General
Mcclellan, jackson will hasten back into
Virginia by way Of the ford ut Wiliamsport.
a heavy rain-storm might also hurry their
movement back across the river without ma
king fight.
@. Do the Rebel soldiers look to be in good
health?
A. Yes generally speaking. They are
gauut and hardened hy exposure, though ma
nv Of them were suffering with diarrhUa on
account of the food they bad been eating.
@. Did yon meet many Baltimoreans a
mong them?
A. No, not many. questioned them with
regard to the Maryland troops, aud they gen
orally answered that there Yves but few of
Il en- left They had been in so many hard
fights that they were either in their graves
or in the hospitals. The Maryland Regi-
mehls had been so diminished in numbers
.h,t