Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1863-07-24
GIimpses of Yankeedom.

| GIimpses of Yankeedom.
correspo ndsat..of the Richmond Sentire
. cry good journal, by the way-is giving {
serss of Notes in Hospital at St. Louis, by
wounded Confederate prisoner lately exchang
| ed. We take the following extracts:
Notwithstanding the loud boastings of ths
Feeral Government of its wealth and vast re
sorces at hand, their private soldiers will tel
yol quite different tale. Whether it be par.
sinpny or inability on the part OF the Govern
met, or negligence or corruption am ang the
offers, it is hard to tell !; but from what i
leared from the patients in the hospital, thei,
fare wes far harder and more meag.e than tina
Of our troops. Hard bread, which is but fou
mixed whitewater and baked in thin square cake
called hard tack, and detested by every soldier
with sab pork, IS their principal food on ths
field and march. This hard tack is made by
machinery and baked in large quantities in al
the PRINCIPAL cities, and put up in boxes. 1
kept dry, it will keep long time. 1t is light
easy of transportation, cheap, and goes long
way, because the soldier will rot eat it. Ground
coffee, LARGELY adulterated, is seantly provided
with sugal.
The offers devote themselves to scheme. Of
speculation gain and public favor. They gross.
y
are earnes and vigilant in promoting their own
interest aid comfort. The men say they are
very poorly supplied with tiansportat that
they have their knapsacks, blankets and tents
to carry, and that they are often forced upon
marches without necessity. The
tents are divided into sections and distrib uted
among the men. | heard oee Of the men in
the hospital say that his regiment had been
marched forty miles on one stretch, upon bet
his commander and another officer
the men not suspeoting the cause of the heavy
march at the time
The North prides itself greatly upon the gen
eral diffusion o. education and intelligence, and
claims a vast superiority over the South in this
particular. But if their soldiers are to be sa-
ken as any criterion of the facts of the case,
they fall tar short of sustaining their preten-
sions. AS far as my observation extended and
was able TO judge, they are far more ill!terate
rs q general rule, than our wn aaen in arms.
They appear to be possessed, also of less spirit
animation and self. reliance than the Southron s.
They exhibit little interest in any thing outside
of their own com panies or regiments, and seem
to have but poor conception of the origin ard
causes Of the war. 1t is surprising what little
concern they manifest ia what is tTanspirin8,
Or in reading the daily journals. No argu-
ments or even conversation is ever heard
among them in relation to matters touching
he conduct of their Government. They show
40 interest ia the administration of national af>
airs, and to all appearance, if possible. care
ess They look to the Government to do eve
y thing. and seem to regard it as something
Of the people. Hence, they do
lot act in UNISON with it, but have to be drag,
,ed to the performance of duty since the first
impulses produced by excitment have subsidized
hpwing that their enthusiasm, which led them
nto the service, was not the offspring OF true
nd deep seated patriotism.