The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-01-21
REPORTS Of a Spy.

Dc. 20 n, 1903, says nc has Just mace
tho acquaintance Ola very highly intel
liscnt and interesting gentleman, who
has served as spy among the rebels
for tho past four months. The spy OK
hibits letters of commentator from
orr Generals, for the service he has rem
dcrcd them and also papers with the
seal Of the rebel Secretary Of War and
other equally strong evidence, showing
that he is what he claims to be. The
following is what he reports concerning
various matters.
s,My informant was in Richmond for
several weeks, and had opportunities
for learning much Of the sentiment, of
the people and the Yea lcrs in the rebel
ion. From the best Informed sources
he was assured that Valland,gham,
while in Richmond, was frequently clos
c,cl with the traitors, and had solemnly
assured them that, in the event Of his
election, he and his party would array
themselves in opposition to the war,
and fleet such peace rs would guar
antcc the recognition of the South az a
stpcrate Contederacy. The defeat OF
he arch traitor had discouraged and
dishcartened those who, in his election,
had looked for comfort and recognition
The accounts Of sutlerings by our pris.
oners are fully confirmed by him."
The condition Of The soldicry is rep
resented as being indeed dcplorahle.
Placed rs they arc on quarter ratious
Of the most common and filthy descrip
tior, with no prospects of better in the
future, much decentralization exists, and
j, is only w promise OF food ana cloth.
ing that they arc kept from utter dis.
organization. With regularly or
gained system OF espionage in every
regiment, severe dicipline, and fears OF
the terrible vcngcncc that will be metcd
out to them, there is little hope for es-
cape in the event of dcscr,ion, and the
common soldier is only KEEP, in the ranks
by the power If the bayonet. At the
present deprecated rate Of rebel curren
cy, the soldiers pay is but fifty FIVE
cents per month in gold. This is sub
ieot Of loud and constant complains.
from the men whose families are suffer.
mo Cor the absolute necesSarics of life.
Notwithstanding the vigilance OF spies
and officers. Desert,ons are very fire..
qncnt. While riding through Northern
Alabama and portions Of Georgia. de.
sertcrs, in squads from twenty five to
one hundred, were met almost daily in
The woods, seeking safety from the re bel
crva|ry, who were met on every public
and side road, IN search OF stragclers
and deser,ers and conscripting all cili
zens who came in their way. In many
places he found regularly organized
bands Of dese,ters stlagglers and run
away negroes, intrcnched on the hills
and mountains, prepared to resist at
tempts at their capture. They inhabi.
caves in some instances, and where no
better means Of shelter is at hand, like
the natives of the forest they make bur
rows in hill sides. where they lie in wal,
for small squads Of cavalry to rush
upon and busLwhack them. These ia
gitives snbsist who ~ OIL what tho y
can pillagc from ncigIiboriny planters.
Descrters are shot by the dozen almost
daily in Bra.g's army.
Walking through rebel camps, con
yersing with officers and men at their
bivouac fires, my informant was inn
pressed and surprised to find the en-
bers Of Unlonism still smonlde,ing in
the bosoms Of the rank and file. Nearly
all would willingly lay down their arms
sand accept the best terms Of peace at
tainable, believing that all hope, now
that the original sececicd territory is
SO narrowed down, has vanished Of
independence for the South.
The complete ystem Of martial law
renders it impossible for citizen or
foreigner to pass through a single stree.
without showing his papers. At every
corner boyonet is presented, and soc
to man who has not the documents.
The time has passed for the people
to expect their armies in Georgia to win
battles. No confidence is felt in it,
and whenever they hear Of the opening
Of the ball, they prepare 10 submit 10
reverse.
The condition Of the slaves is repre-.
sented AZ being wrctched in the ex.
IRENE. They are never used as soldiers
as it would not be safe TO trust guns in
their hands, but they arc employed as
tcamsters, and upon the construction of
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