Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-18


We lay before our readers the following
views of life in Texas under Confederate
rule. They we're furnished BY an intelli-
gent Texan who left his home in the inte-
rior Of the State, early in October:
CoEscAIPTIeE And DRAFT.
The oonscription and drafts under Ii mi
litis laws, both Of which are vigorously
enforced-the one by the Confederate, and
the other by the State Government-have
taken off the able bodied men Of Texas
from eighteen to fifty, and many of greater
age sre in the local organizations for de-
fense. Since the first draft was made,
about a year ago, three-fonrths of the men
between these ages have been called into
service. The census of Texas for 1860
showed white population Of 42l ,294, Of
which 228, 797 were males. no country
that we remember has yielded for military
service over one in eight ofits full popula-
ton; this would give an arms-besring pop
ulation Of $1,000 men. In Texas not less
than 70, 600 men have been called to arms,
Of whom 10000 have lost their lives or
been placed hors Gu combat. Some lie
wounded in Northern or Southern hospi-
tails, and some are prisoners still. As an
instance of the mortality among the Texan
troops, the I'd Texas-Wbicb included, first
and last, ], leo men-returned with only
200, and the 1st Texas which was captured
at Gettysburg, suffered even more severely.
The number Of Texan troops enlisted
has been currently estimated at 10000
men, distributed on the line of the Indian
4 Al
Louisiana and Texas. They are essential
ly cooperative bodies. Lieutenant Gene.
raj Kirby Smith has the supreme command,
and claims to be invested with extrsordi-
nary powers by the President. Our in
formsnt was Of the opinion that they were
rather extraordinary, for in the address Of
the four Western Governors, called together
at Marshall, Texas, by him, instead of-as
on 8 previous occasion - recommending
" Beauty to be placed at the loom and al
the wheel" they recommend Women to
be put at the plow."
SOLDIERS WAGES AND TIE SLAVES.
The families of the soldiers are poorly
| prepared to meet the wants Of winter,
The soldiers themselves have been forced
by he most arbitrary rigor of military
despotism, TO enter a service in which they
have but little hope of success, and against
which most Of them in their hearts rebel.
The pay Of soldier is Sl1 per month,
which is hardly the equivalent of 81 in
gold, will not go far to support suffering
family when brogsDs are selling at $40
per pair.
Where the owners of slaves remain on
their plantations, the usual amount oil
field labor in taking of the crops has been
done. All the owners Of twenty slaves,
L. will be remembered, are exempt from
aonscription by JEFF. Davis law, but the
plantations which have been left in charge
Of other parties while the owners entered
the service present an appearance Of great
dilapidstion and want Of culture.
There has been q large increase of
slaves in the State. Great numbers of
white immigrants, with their numerous
slaves, have poured into sll the counties Of
the State from Missouri, Arkansas and
Louisiana. The masters Of these new ne
groes studiously avoid service in the rebel
army, and the negroes are as studiously
on the hunt for the Union lines. Our in
formant met occasional bands eDlarging
the area Of freedom in the direction Of
Mexico.
PRICES.
There is no lack of provisions in Texas,
although the nominal prices are high.
Wheat, corn, mutton, beef, SO, are all
plenty. There was little disposition in
most localities to touch Confederate mon
ey, and 1t was only circulated by the in
terpositiOn Of military power. The prices
given, therefore, do not so much show the
scarcity Of provisions or goods as the total
want Of faith in the currency Of JEFF.
Davis. The following table shows the
prices at which some Of the articles were
selling: