Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-07-09
fsvn the f6al.vills Journal.

Il
lALou1sv1rttiN's ExprRrsrcE IN Dr.;
x.-We have conversed with yer
intelligent and reliable genllemsb, oh
left this city early in February last, an
has been in the South ever since. In
medistely alter bis arrival be enliste
IN the Confederate army, and deserte
it month sgo-made his way througl
our lines. and reformed here on Frida
last.ss His aceoubts Of the condition Q
affairs there generally are deplorabl
in the. extreme. and are indeed wOrs
than any history we have yet seem
He was. when 10 the army, q hospits
steward. sud. being peffectly free &
tgo and come IS be choose, hs cpporfs
hities feYobservation have beea nue.
greater than they would have been 9th
erwise. A perfect reign Of terror ha
taken bold Of the country, and the peo
lple fee from impending conscription
hiding in the bills and rocks, prelerring
in most cases, q death by the SLOW
process Of starvation than being forced
into the Confederate army. The con-
script officers hunt them down with
greyhounds and catalry--in some To-
calities dragging them cruelty from theft
hiding places, and in any case death is
the summary punishment for a refusal
to accompany their brutal csptors. He
gives Us an illustration where one man
fed to the mountains In Tennessee for
protection from the conscript act, taking
with him his wife and little children,
and, when accidentally found by. the
aid of the bounds, he was dragged
forth and cruelty shot because he begged
to be released, or permitted to come
North.
The people, civilians outside OF the
army, say that they are subjugsted.
while the soldiers arc Indifferent, and
have no opinion whatever. and do pre-
cisely as they are told to do, believing
that they have no right to think Tor
themselves, or, il they have. are afraid
TO give expression to their thoughts
The officers are all in favor Of mon
archy. despising with all their might
and soul any government after the
fashion Of the old one, and say that no
earthly power shall ever again compel
them TO submit to reconstruction Of
the Union on its old basis-nothing
short Of monarchy, and that after
the most tyrsnnical model, will satisfy
them. A fearful state Of destiIulion
and want exists among the men, wo-
men, and children. Clothing is rarely
ever found, and, when it is, it is held
at such exhorbitabt prices that three.
fourths Of the people are unable to buy.
Food is not to be had for love or mon
ey. He tells US that, at one time, he
had been without mouthful 10 eat for
four days, and that, accidentally 6nd-
ing one individual who had loaf of
bread, be bought it at the enormous
figure Of three dollars and half.
The soldiers in most cases are as in
differently of as the citizens, though
they are cared for before everybody
else. They are compelled to buy their
own clothing. and for that purpose re-
ceive 6fty.two dollars Communication
money, which will not purchase one
single suit; aud, unless some friend
furnishes them with the necessary ar
ticles, they have TO do without. They
would all desert if not fearful Of being
recsptured. as in that case death is
sure and speedy. r-4--.
Our informant was arrested at Tul-
ahoma, last March, charged with be-
ing spy, end was tried by court-mar-
tial. but as no evidence was adduced
against him, be was released and Sc
verely reprimsnded. Thirteen others
were tried at the same time, condemned
to death and subsequently executed
Among the number was young man
from this city named Overton, son Of
Mrs. Sarah 0Verton, a widow, resid-
ing on East street. He was shot on the
10Th Of April, and buried near Tulla- |
homs, Tenn. He was one Of the un-
young men induced to leave
his State and go South by the arch
.rsitor Buckner. and has met the re-
ward Of bis wickedness. poor fellow.
,y an untimely death at the guilty hands
II those whom he deserted his country
q an hour Of peril to serve.
The army South has been consolida.
ed, and sometimes there was not men
'nough In Eve regiments 10 make a
ingie one full to its maximum. The
,fficers thus thrown out are made con.
cript officers. and detsiled on that
Pecial duty by the authorities.
Our friend when be went South was
irmly convinced that the rebel cause
vas Just and right. but in few brief
months be, Ike thousands OF others
rho would get away. if possible to
luee the vigilance Of the traitors, was
and deserted the earliest
pportunity. He came within our lines,
ook the oath Of allegiance, and Wept
yer the old bonored Ang. He was clad
, tatters and rags but, when con-
inced Of the sincerity Of bis repen- ;
ance. our noble boys clothed him and
ID him, and sent him on bis way re-
,icing. ue1 2 s'5'ea 'a
a..