Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-01-28
Odds aud Ends.

we propose to throw together a new
items, obtained from this conversation
and other sources for "leader"
There never has been a time since the
rebellion commenced when so many
were returning to their homes ana
taking the oath of allegiance as now.
Attic time Kirby Smith left the State,
after brief sojourn in Lexington, a
great many sympathizers went with
him. This they did from various mo-
tives; some because they wished to
Join the southern army and fight the
Yankees; others because they were
made to believe there was no safety for
them at home. These have been gradu-
ally returning for the last eighteen
months, taking the oath of allegiance,
and in some instances giving heavy
bonds for their future behavior. But
now they are returning in large numbers,
and are glad enough to take the oath,
or do any thing in their power to be al
lowed to stay in free country. The
rats are deserving the sinking old hulk
in swarms.
Although "all is quiet in the armies
OF the Ohio, the Cumberland and the
Tennessee, still the work of preparation
for a spring campaign goes ON very
briskly. General Grant, accompanied
by small but brave escort, recently
went the whole distance on horseback
from Knoxville through the Cumberland
Gap to Camp Nelson in Jessamine coun-
ty, XIV. As result of this tour, he has
determined to abandon the route through
the Cumberland Gap and reach Knox
vile and Chattanooga with his supplies
by the way of the Nashville and Steven
son railroad, and also by the Tennessee
river The railroads are to be immedi-
ately repaired; new railroad is in pro-
cess of construction leading westwardly
from Nashville to the Tennessee river.
Nashville is being filled full of supplies
of all kinds, and as soon as arise takes
place in the Tennessee, these supplies
will be taken by railroad and steamboat
to Chattanooga and Knoxville.
No uneasiness is felt in Kentucky with
regard to the rumored raid of Long
street. He is known to be very destitute,
many of his soldiers being without shoes,
and not in condition for active ser
vice.
It is expected that the legislature of
Kentucky now in session will consider
the subject of emancipation, and prob
ably adopt some plan for the gradual
emancipation of slavery
Among the Union prisoners taken at
Chickamauga and carried to Richmond
were two or three Baptist clergymen
who were chaplains of Indiana regi-
ments. The Rev. j. B. Jeter d. D., and
one or two other clergymen of Rich
mond, visited these prisons for the pur
pose of rendering any assistance in their
power. Of course the prospects of the
war were discussed, the Union prisoners
confidently maintaining that our gov
eminent would eventually succeed. and
the Richmond divines contending that
they would not. The latter expatiated
upon their army and their resources, de-
claring that their soldiers were well pro-
vided with everything In a kind anG
rather patronizing manner they enquir-
ed ifthey could do any thing for those
who were 'sick and in prison. +"
well" said one of the chaplains, eve
need some blankets; we were stripped
of everything we had, and it is rather
uncomfortable here without more cloth
ing" DR.. Jeter exchanged glances with
his companions, and then said, g. Breth-
ren, we have to confess that we have no
blankets for you In order to make the
soldiers as comfortable as we have rep
resented, all our houses have been strip
ed of blankets and everything else"
This was certainly marvellous backing
down from the dignified and patronizing
air which they at first assumed and the
incident which is perfectly reliable "
serves to corroborate other accounts of
Southern restitution.
A Washington correspondent of the
Troy Times gives an interesting account
of an interview which he had Just had
with Virginian, who had recently az
rived from the South, and who had drank
deep of the bitter cup of rebellion, hav-
ing lost his family, his home, and his
happiness. This gentleman stated that
the health of JEFF Davis is very much
shattered, and nothing but the utmost
care and vigilance can preserve his life
a year longer. .....,
For the past four months, the greatest
possible energy and labor have been con-
centrated towards the completion of a
railroad from Danville, in the south
| part of Virginia, to Greensboro, a
village in North Carolina, about thirty
miles south Of the State line In this
way-if worst comes to worst, as it
probably will-the rebels hope to keep
| open a communication between Rich