The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-02-20

"3. There is no way for Mcclellan tc
succeed but by following the enemy close.
ly and not allowing him to bring up his artil
lery.
"a. They will try to drive out Banks
and then come down on McClelan's right
flank, driving him to the James River or to
destruction"
Il have been watching the regiments as
they pass and learn this: They are all poor
ly clad, sickly, poorly provided with every
thing but bad whiskey, pluck and arms
One Mississippi regiment counted, and it
had-2 field officers, well mounted; cap
tains; 81 lieutenants 245 rank and file; 40
negroes as servants, cooks, &C.; wagons; 6
mules; . flags; drums ; l fife; bugle; 80
negro pioneers making an aggregate of 30
whites and 140 blacks.
They are of class that never think fol
themselves. They are contented to be led,
and as they have never known luxury or even
comfort, they stand it very well. They all
hoot and yell at US as they so along, and say
they will bag McClellan,'' push the Yanks
into the river &c.
They may beat little Mae but if they do,
shame on our well dressed, strong and hardy
men shame on our Generals, Cabinet and
President, who with the greatest and most
willing nation on the earth to back them, get
whipped by hungry, ill-clothed and sckly
army of rebels :"
Speaking of negroes, here let me say: they
are used by the rebels for almost everything.
They build Notifications, till the soil, act in
the army in every capacity save that OF armed
men; and yet copper-heads think We ought,
not to free them
They are the strong arm of the rebels and
are worth million of men. A rebel cap
tain of much intelligence said to ue one
day:
You thought at the North, that our
slaves would be burden on us in this war :
but, sir, it has | think, been clearly shown
that slavery is our right arm. More than
100000 of our slaves fill places in the army
that otherwise would have to be filed by
white men. Over 100000 have been used
on Notifications, that otherwise could not
have been built. They till the soil and thus
We can take away every able bodied man
from the fields. We employ them as pio-
neers and scouts, and under white men they
do well.
You thought that We had 100000 10
watch and guard but the fact is, We had
100000 of workmen ready to be enrolled to
help on our cause!
Can any one find better reason for the
proclamation of Sept. 22, than what this reb-
el has given >
Gen. o. B. Wilcox Cthen Col. 1st Mich.,l
asked the Secretary of the Treasury who
called on him one day, what he thought
would be the result of the efforts of some
of our generals to use the blacks.
If" said the Secretary, they do as well
at it as We do, land think they will, for the
Yankees make good drivers,) they will find
thousand niggers as good as a thousand
whites for all purposes save fighting
"Will Lincoln try emancipation, do YOU
think ~ said the Secretary.
Il think SO, as soon as.he is sure it vii
damage your prospects," said the Gener
al.
and exclaimed: 1t would only affect US
where your troops 60, l think though am
not certain but it might cause an uprising of
slaves in some districts where there are few
whites, left, and render less secure our
teamsters, servants, &C., in the army"
Col. o. B. w" Will the Confederacy be
able to stand the present drain for men.
means &c, another year.
: Sec. Treas" Yes, twenty years-forever, I,
We have the advantage of you in position
and natural strength. We can spare all ou
able-bodied men for our slaves can do the
work. We have thousands of friends north.
We get information Of all your doings. We
have spiesi in your army, spies in your very
Cabinet! We have been at this long time
/ We did not start in hurry We were pre-
ared both north and south. We have no.
/ fears Of success for your own Government
cannot put forth. half her efforts; she is
chainel by her seeming friends"
/ Col. o. B. W. have heard as much
before, but never from so high source
Well, sir, thank you for your frankness
but let me say that, though beset by traitors
at home. and you Of the south without. we
shall surely conquer. know the people
your sympathizes will have a slim chance
when the whole nation gets aroused, as they
will be soon. If the present troops cannot
succeed, We will call out half a million more
We will take your slaves that seem so useful
TO You, and see if they cannot also do us
some good We will burn down cities if We
cannot guard them; We will destroy all
the property We can get, and see if We can,
not exhaust and then crush you."
Sec. Treas. "Spoken like trne North.
erner. Hating the South-ready to destroy
it."
have copied from my journal this con.
versation, as set it down then, to show you
something of the turn conversation assumed
when we had intelligen. visitors. The mex,
mill ebor bo - m Z l. V ..u-.l