Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-09-12
Thc Rebels Tired Oftiic War.
CONFESSIONS OF 4 MISSISSIPPI DEsERrER.

Correspondence Of tie Cincianati Gasette J
STEAENsoN, Ala, Aug. est is a well
known fact that of the three or four thou
sand prisoners taken by General Rosecrans
during the march from Murireesb0ro' to
Dccherd ane half were persons who had
Jagged behind the retrcating rebel army for
the very purpose Of giving themselves up.
All of these, without exception, declared
that thousands of their comrades were ready
at the first opportunity to follow their
example. Since that retreat, the spirit OF
the once formidable host under the leader
ship Of Bragg; seems to have utterly depart
ed. The KentuckIans and Tenncssccans
are in state of forlorn and hopeless despair
which can scarcely be conceived, SAID one
of them who deserted few days ago; "lf
were given my choice, and compelled to do
one or the other, should rather serve a
year III the penitcntiary, than three months
under Bragg" Said another, 1.-The most
terrible punishment which can be imposed
upon any man, is to make him a soldier in
the Confederate army Said a third, 1.-THE
condition of the, most abject negro slaves,
| is preferable to the slavery we endure y
And still another, 1.-TWO weeks since wrote
to my parents, telling them that if were
not soon killed in battle, l should either
! desert or commit suicide"
OF late, the dem Uralization has not been
confined to the troops from Tennessee and
Kentucky. Amongst the deserters who
now each day flock to our lines, are men
from every State represented in Bragg's
army. The fall of vicksburg and the de
struction of jackson, crushed the last hopes
of the Mississippians, and they are as anX-
| ious to return to their homes as the troops
from the border States Recently | con
versed with very intelligent soldier trouI
( Mississippi.
"Have you seen much active cervicc, my
| friend ~
Yes he replied, Il was at Shiloh, al
/ Pcrryville, at Murireesboro' and in score
of smaller combats. At Shiloh, received
/ a severe wound in my thigh, and IN one o.
: the minor fights in Kentucky, lost finger
as you see," holding forth his left hand
/ from which the middle finger was gone
And that is not ALL" he continued, ''on'
of your bullets grazed my temple at Ston'
/ river, and knocked Inc senseless upon the
| ground, where was run over 10y one OF oul
own cassions, and so badly bruised, thai
for time almost despaired of recovery.
"And did you think, all this time, thai
you were really fighting and suffering for I
/ good cause Z"
NO" said he, ~ believed the war OF
our part was uncaled for from the first bu
! the potent influences thrown around me
aud sort of blind enthusiasm with whicl
my judgment had nothing to do, carrie'
me rway"
"You were not conscriptcd thepl' | in
/ quired
$50 far from that" was the honest answer
II was among the very first TO yoluntee
f:om my county and town"
Then, OF course, after you were in, yol
wished the rebel cause 10 succeed I"
AS long as my fgyer ofenthusiasm lasie'
did but for tho past year ! have beel
convinced that the success OF Jeif. Dayi
would actually be calamity for our eoul
try, and for mankind"
How long since you determined 10 aban
don the rebel service !"
only since heard Of the dreadful mia
fortunes which beiell our arms In slissisaiI
pi."
And why did you not take the resolniio
, before that, " as you say, YOU were col
yinesd that tho Teisllion ought not 10 sus
ecsd u