The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-22
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March n, 1855.
CONDITION OF TIKI s0UTH-How UNION PRISONERS
ARE TREATED By THE REBELS.
The Union prisoners who have been released and ar
rived here last night fromsRchmond on the steamer
State Of Maine, make some interesting statements in
regard the condition of affairs the rebel oonfederacy
They represent that they most cruelty treated and
suffered everything but death Tho rebels treat Citizen
pxsOners much than they the prisoners Of
They supplied with barely ssicisnt food 10 sustain
ife and that of the possible quality Iaterly,
those In Richmond have not been allowed 10 purchase
anything-not even loaf a bread Provisions very
and hold st fabulous prices Prices syssmai
caiiy underssatsd by tho rebel papers. Flour Ia now
selling Richmond At forty TO y dollars per barrel
although quoted the Richmond papers twenty eight
dollars and half sweet potatoes, eight dollars peck
eggs dollars per dozen and other articles proper
ton In Mobile -four is selling At seventy five to eighty
dollars per barrel.
The poorer classes In Richmond are In starving
dton and there have beeu number Of Of actual
starvation among them from inability TO obtain the
necessares Of life Society throughout the confederacy
is fearfuly dcmoralized women hitherto respectable
being actually compelled to resort to prostitution to OBJ
ain the means OF existence.
The utmost rigor and cruelty exercised to keep the
soldiers 10 tho army. Soldiers absentng themselves
from camps without leave tried by court martial and
punished by from twenty to hundred ashes accord
ing the number of days they gone Deserters
frequently shot examples TO deter the soldiers from
deserton Many Union soldiers who have deserted to
he enemy refuse take the oath OF allegiance and
the rebel service latter ascertaning the actual condition
OF things and learning what they must undergo, pre-
errng be returned deserters and take their chances
of punishment their return
Although the rebels generally pretend 10 have undimn
shed confidence In their ultimate yet the
intelligent among them evidently becoming dscour
aged. Unless the crop should be average
il by the capture Of vcksburg and Port Hudson they
should be from the supplies which they have hth
erto received from Texas they know that they cannot
continue the contest, but must be starved into submits
sion.
These released prisoners state that all that buoys the
rebels up the aid and comfort which they
the demonstration Of the copperheads and the be-
lief that the Northwest tired Of the war; and will
refuse to contribute further aid TO its prosecution. II
convinced Of the falsty Of this belief, the rebel
government could long hold their army together.
There still considerable Union feeling in the South In
North Carolina the Union in the MAJORITY and
the expulsion Of the rebel forces from that state wod be
joyfuy regarded by majority Of the citizens Of the
State who would gladly to the protection Of the
Union.
THE DEFICIENCIES OF CHARLESTON.
recent refugee from Charleston, who is well known
by eminent gentlemen here states that tho city and har
Dor has all the deences that the best engineering ability
devise There has been ample time the purpose
aud he regards the city impregnable. The fact may
may net be important, for after all the sensation
stories in abolition Journals that the city Is already bonn
hardcd and that s to be tho point of attack IL is by
means certain thai such thing is tho government
budget It would be refreshing TO know that the rebess
had been misled for once, and crushing blow should
fall upon place places less fortified and better stuat
ed for opening trado with the interior.
EXPEDITION TO TEXAS.
Gen. Hamilton. Military Governor Of Texas, endeayor.
ing organize expedition to that state will
with several Governors upon the matter, the suggcs
ton oil the President aud Secretary OF War; The govern
nent alive TO the importance OF maintaining corps
of observation in Texas view Of the Of the
French in Mexico Gen. Sige who has been induced
withdraw his resignation has been urged by his friends
10 apply Cor thesommand Of the expedition.
THE ARMY.
Capt c. NJ Levy, Ass sant Quartermaster, native OF
South Carolina assigned 10 duty to-day Quarter
master Of the defences Of Washington north OF the
Potomac.
Brigadier General Stah reported for duty today in
command Of the cavalry force OF dcsnces OF
Washington
Lieutenant Colonel Krctchsmar who dismissed the
service absence without leave restored He served
in the Mcxic war and was formerly United states Con
sui at Palermo, Nassau and AK Ia Chapele.
Lieutenant Coloncl Myers, Chief OF transportation has
been appointed Chief ouarcrmaser Of General pope's
department He left yesterday
THE BARNEY WILL CASE
The late mportau. decision by Circuit Court in the
Barney will bids fair to go for nothing.
dlsd in the office Of the Orphans Court, whose decision
reversed until after said funct obcis by
act of Congress Judge Carter has accordingly
for the time beng the proceedings under said decision.
bill 10 equity 10 stay proceedings has been flied by the
adverse party. which Judge Purcell OF the Orphans
Court, sustains
GENERAL FREMONT.
Great grief INDUCED by some frantic fanatics on
account of the miscarriage of General Fremont getting
another high command. 1t Is reported, a remark OF
the President that Fremont never yet known to
have obeyed command"
THE STREET PASSENGER RAILROAD TRAFFIC.
The Washington Street Passenger Railroad Company
have cleared six per cent their full capital stock
already, though they have had their road In running
order but few months. Their full capital has not ye,
been expended.
THE ACCOUNTS OF PAYxAsTgRs>
The examination Of the accounts OF paymastcs reveal
the fact That in many payments unauthorized by
law have made and the Irregularities OF this
will serioi sly affect the bondsmen Of many paymasters
GENERAL HE,SrzELMAs GOING TO MISSOURI.
II is stated confidently In military circles here TO.
night that General Hentzclman will the command
that had assigned General sumner and supersede
General Curtis In Missouri.
RESTRICTION OF BURROUGHS.
The number Of odnoes prescu. hero furlough Is
cow unusually small " all the orders issued by Gen
Hooker has been productive o; good results
than that which restricts furioughs V officers OF ree-
up tho requirements OF the service.
THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO LAWYERS.
Judge olm Of the newly created District Court, re-
ported declared his intention insist upon
oath allegiance from each practitioner before the Court
II this ia co. II win cause considerable huttering among
the legal gentry here, many of whom are known to sym
psth.ze with the rebels.