The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-08-22


usually connected with establishments
of this sort.
The plucky widow never left the house,
but quietly swept out the broken glass
and mortar, and then pursued her usual
business, which, suppose, as in most
cases of the sort, mainly had reference
to reflections upon the chances remain
ing her for q prize in the lottery of
mRtrimony. IL will take more than two
13-inch shells to drive thoughts of this
kind out of a widows bosom, who has
reached the respectable age of i've and
thirty, and hence the doings Of my
widow will not seem improbable
The families remaining in the place are
composed mainly of women and children,
and at present occupy a most undesira-
BILE position. They are out of both food
and clothing, and as trade is not opened
bore they cannot supply the latter want,
while, in case of the other, they are driv-
en- TO depend entirely upon the charity
of the Federal authorities. With but
very few exceptions, the citizens now re-
naming receive rations regularly from
the Commissa y supplies, which, although
CALLING state of affairs, is the only one
by which they can avoid starvation. AT
almost every hour in the day one can see
stately women in deep mourning, with
disdain written on every feature of their
fair faces, and hatred of the Yankee flash
ing from their dark eyes, making appli-
cation of Federal officials for supplies of
beans, bacon and -four, without which
srtrIo Ii
daughter of ohivalry would just now find
life scarcely endurable. These ladies,
do not, like their amiable sisters,
whom Butler turned into decency, openly
insult the blue coated Hessians but
confine their manifestations TO glances of
ineifable disgust, when obliged to meet
them, or else they ostentatiously place
themselves with their backs to the win
dOws, and refuse TO cast even look upon
the invader.
Living here, even to the loyal, is an ex-
pensive affair. Watermelons are selling
at 81 % each; and for potatoes the con-
scientious and patriotic sutler only
charges the moderate sum Of % cents
per pound, or $15 per bushel. The steam.
ers at the levee ask the hungry 81 per
meal, and for that sum furnish little
fried bacon, milkless coffee, corn-breAd
and impudent walters. The fare origi-
nally from st. Louis to New Orleans was
500; but to-day our patriotic steamboat
men charge the returning soldiers S25 to
ride from Vicksburg to Cairo, or $50
from New Orleans to st. Louis. This
fact, considering that our soldiers have
fought to open the river for the very men
who are now 80 outrsgeously extortion-
ate, reflects high credit upon the gentle
men having charge of tue steamboats,
running to st. Louis. Gen. Grant, who
always redresses the wrongs of his men,
will not allow the state of things TO long
continue, but will undoubtedly adopt
some methods whereby these cormOrants
will be frightened from their prey.
Not the least strange of the many
strange things which Vicksburg pre-
sents, is the great number of gayly- dress
ed Confederate officers whom one meets
constantly on the streets. They are
square in the back, with noses well up in
the air, and any quantity of gold lace
on the sleeve, cap, and collar-in fact, are
rather taking" fellows among the fair
sex, anu undoubtedly well enough On u
battle field. / doubt very much wheth-
or National uniforms are IS plenty on
the streets of Richmond as Confederate
uniforms are here; there, the ohivalrous
and high toned SOutherner sends bic
victims TO Castle Thunder or Libby Pris-
on invites in tho backwoodsmen TO re-
joice over and insult the "Yank and
shoots him if he puts his head out of the
| window.
Considering the barbarism of the
North; its immense inferiority TO the
South in cultivation, liberality and re-
finement, it will be admitted that itpos-
sesses a commendable amount of human
ity, whose possession, to some extent
would greatly add TO the merits Of our
fire eating opponent.
Almost everybody has gone home from
here ON short furlough; and, as | stated
in former letters, nothing will be done
for some time TO come. Gen. Heron has
gone 10 Port Hudson, another division
will go to Naicoez, and the balance OF
the army remain here until the opening
of the campaign.