Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-10-27
From the Columbia, s. c., Gul dian.
Ihs KsscIyccss M Ess..s

From the columbia, 5. o., Gulid dian.
The Resources of the Confederate States.
We published recently brief extract from letter
OF John G. Davis of Indiana, taken from the Louisville
journal of the 26th u 10 which he shows unusual in.
tegence to the capacities and of the Con-
tederate States He says that if the territory east of
the mississippi and the grand armies of the
South forced to unite, the great territory west of the
Mississippi will take at least three years to clear.
Apropos to the of our capabiy to sustain the
war almost Indefinitely, copy the following passage
IN reference to our army supplies war material and
men, from the correspondence of the London Tmee
dated Columbia, S. O., 26th Sept ut, and obligpgiy
furnished to by the author in advance of lis appear
ance In the Times:
There lies a distance of over six hundred miles be-
tween the two main armies the Couederates have
trved thus far 10 keep in the field tween them there
stretches country not easily rivaed n point of erti-
ty and power OF resources; country, which, iH extent
equals the area OF the kingdom of Prussia From this
region the main supplies have, for year pest been
furnished to these great armies 1t s therefore,
likely that with shs territory undlmnished, aud bar
vest much more plentiful than that of last year, either
the army or the people will be in any way arrassed
for supplies. Even were this not so personal know
iecge Of the country yet untouched in resource IN Vii
gina and TenDessee enables me to say that
it would be sufficient to feed the army OF
Gen Lee, while q a. Hood has at bis back the States
Of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, almost freed from
Federal invasion This region is, in exeut, equal 20
the kingdom Of Spain. But suppose the Cone1erates
were driven from both Virginia and Georgia, aud in
their last frt, either cotqu ed or dispersed IN South
or North Carolina, there is still the magnificent domain
OF Texas, louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri in extent
vaser than the Austrian monarchy, and the kingdoms
of Italy and Greece combined, likewise almost rid
of the enemy, and rapidly recovering in resources in
fact, entirely selsusaining to which the Confederate
Government is fully determined to repair, should, what
is quite improbable its forces be overwhelmed east OF
the Mississippi.
In point of materials of war; the in this respect very
energetic, Richmond government has created toundries
SaJD
manufacturing establishments all throughout the Con-
ederaey, there is powder mill at Augusta, Georgia,
which alone is capable OF Supplying the army and navy
Whoever, therefore, speaks OF exhaustion OF this won
derfu people does not know the extent OF the rcmah
able yet at command of the State and Con-
fed crate authorities the vast stores of cotton and to-
bacc0 yet intact entirely disregarded.
But the most obvious danger which may threated to
weaken the military strength of the Contederacy is the
decrease in The drain upon the population has
been terrible, and is daily augmentng two hundred
thousand victims estimated to have fallen in this
four years struggle; and everywhere criPples may be
seen, whose torn bodies testify to the rghtu carnage
Of the and the power of modern projecties still,
two great armies maintained with deachments and
garrsons in many places, which, if combined, would
make third. That this drain must eventually be Sc
riousy felt there cannot be doubt, the natural in
Of population under these circumstances has its
limits but it may be argued affects the orthern fight
ing strength alike with the Conederates, especially
there is now an almost total cessation OF emgra-
ton from Ireland and Germany, the valiant
sons Of these nations coming slowly to the
conviction that it is better to keep life and an
humble existence than to feed death Ia the front ranks
of Federal armies, at the empty prize OF glory and
few worthless greenbaczs Judging from the thronged
appearance of every town and village where trade still
ourishes there to be abundant material at hand
for mingling with invalidea, strong, hardy men may
everywhere be with, apparently no tangible occu
patton. This fact is made the basis OF attacks against
the government OF Mr. Davis, who is accused Of aVort-
ism by the press; it may be correct still 1t seems cruel
thing to suppose Mr. Davis capable of such conduct
when his armies need renforcements. So7ey, fancy,
however, that the matter is somewhat beyond the con-
troll of the Southern President and that the respective
State governments bear burden OF the reproach.-
One hundred and forty thousand men are detailed to
supervise the operations of their farms and panatoos
an enviabe lot in comparison with him who mas nellh
err is obliged 60 the fed, ard perhaps, leaves
large family to the tender mercies OF charity. This
looks certainly very much like tavOrisn. Fifty thou
sand men are exempt from service because they are
State officers and it is estimated budrtd ID Gu
sand young between seventeen and elgheen years
of age become liable to conscrptcn In 106o and whose
enrolment has been already decreed oy the Secretary OF
war. Looking at these figures, which have obtained
from good authority, there any no danger OF ex
haustion OF present. and the armies OF 1862 II,
the opposition papers call for, radical Measures are
adopted must become vastly spsrior in strength TO
those of 1864.