New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-03

k;nd" we directly became on the best Of terms. and
tbe reeun was that. instead Of being sent to bead
quarters, I IVES, at my own request, employed oy
him to assist in the management of LOT Of cattle he
was then expecting FROM Red River. He was kind
clever man, a perfect gentleman, and one with
whom I would like to become acquainted under dis'
ferept circumstances. -.---.-- '-----
For the sake of not talking too much Of my own
experiences, I will say briefly that was at once
provided with horse and equipments, and all tho
creature comforts that were required, going with
him for that purpose To deserted farm house which
he and several hired men were occupying. lodged
with bin on that andthe succeeding night, and was
treated with 90 much consideration that conld not
help feeling heartily ashamed Of the role was play
inz. Much Of the information received during tho
three days was 10 the Rebel camp came s.om him.
He was close observer, free taiker, and man Of
good judgment. F
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE REBEL
-..4nNl-ttf r. SOLDIERS w a. on 'D'
My intercourse with the men was limited. There
in mono of that frce-hesrted bosterous good huor.
90 characteristics of our men, to be seen among the
Rebels. They commonly stand listlessly about ther
teuts, when is Is not raining, seldom speaking TO
each other except 10 ask answer simple question,
which 10 generally done without q smile or change
of counenanCe, and, withal, display cold reserve
and diancliOaton to anthiDg like sooiability that
makes IL dificut to become acquainted. There are,
true, some exceptions to this rule, one Of which l
found in Lieutenant Hosss Of Tennessee regi'
ment. There is but little approach made 70 uniform
ity Of dress Buiiernu. and gray are ths prevailing
ooio while tho pattern seems 10 be after the notion
of each individual wearer Among the officers there
10 some attempt st ornament, often running into
most ridiculous extreme, bat generally confined 70
gold lace sewed on TO the coat cuffs and collars, and
bars or stripes placed horizontally acrOss the breast
after the fashion of our musicians. Blankets and
quilts are in great demand. You seldom ZEE Rebel
without ono or the other. or perhaps piece Of car
pet around bis shoulders. Raw hide shoes are the
prevailing fashion, but the supply Of them h evi.
IDENTIFY scant. man seems 70 go shod here In a
style proporsioped 10 his ability TO bur for him
self.
There are but few athletic men among then--at
least, saw but few. Moot OF them are lean and
uiuewy, bu. seemingly possessed Of great powers OF
endurance Personal difficulties are Of every day
occurrence and, as my friend the cattle dealer re.
marked to mo one day, The boys shoot and cut
each otbor up s~fuly sometimes" State Jealousy
il the chief element Of animosty between the men.
Fights Of considerable magnitude bavs occurred be-
tween men from different States. and there is very
apparent feeling Of hatred existing the pa Of the
regiments from one State toward lhose from Others
There was very apparent scarcity Of rations. the
variety seeming TO DO confined to bread and beef Or
bacon. / was told that at timss there hsd been
great suffering but that the men scarcely ever muir
INJURED.
HOPES AND FEARS or THE REBELS.
was not permitted TO 20 into any Of the forss, but
could easily see from distance that come Of The
guns were Of the largest cahbre. There Is feeling
Of confidence that the place cannot be taken BY a.
ssuit, but the Captain whose acquaintance made on
tue morping Of my arrival told me that II the Union.
lets succeeded in opening communication for their
gunboAs across the country, the place would not be
worth oontsnding for. was surprised q. the sb-
senee of any correct idea of the canal project Of the
Uniouisss-she impression being that the vickfbnrg
ditch or short cutoff was our chief dependence for
getting our Transports through. Almost the only
lance they have for meat supplies Is upon the Red
River country and great par! Of the corn and
wheat il also fIom that region j have It on the
authority Of several intelligent officers, including
Col Tolfer, that If that source Of supplies IL cut of
from them, will be impossible for them 70 subsist
ss large army a. they now have in the field, and
the necessity of'disbanding portion Of it will 10
imperative. unless, by sudden movement North
they can force their way to the Ohio River and
establish themselves 10 q more productive region.
The raid into Maryland just before tho battle of
Antietam was made with that view and in aniicips-
ton Of tue fall Of Vicksburg.
The evacuation Of the place ia freely talked Of
for, although they are confident Of their ability TO
hold il sganst any assault, yet II their supplies by
way Of Red River are cut Of, and our army secures
a position in their Iear land they have vague no.
ton that an attempt to that END 10 being made they
will be starved out and their army captured. 1t lie
necessity which they begin 10 foresse. and II
pressed little hard we need not be surprised at the
occurrence. What is going to DO the end of this
thing I" asked my employer Whose name 1t would
hardly be kind in me 10 mention), as we were riding
into camp from the farmhouse. He turned in bis
saddle with his face from me, aud looked behind
10 long that began to think he did not hear me.
Presently he turned around, and with q peculiar
twinkle in his eye that gave me TO understand that
he knew what he was saying, replied, We'll
evacuate aud fall back" From the emphasis be
placed on the it.licized words, think they have
come into cant usage, aad from the peculiar and
expressive manner in which the remark was made,
could only infer that il was well understood that
they should evacuate.
THE REBEL SOLDIERS WANT PEACE.
Your correspondent has, in his Judgment ample
reasons for saying that the Rebel soldiers are tired
OF what is evidently hopeless war, and would 40.
cent naaca ON aluost any tnfma Il In only tho lead.