Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-08

writ en- on the 9Th inst. Since that We
have learned from the eastern papers that
General Seammon and staff had arrived in
Richmond and had been assigned to quar-
ters in the Libby prison.
As the General was for long time Col
Onel of the 2Sd, we have peculiar inter-
est in his welfare and hope to soon hear Of
his release and return to the service.
General Dufie held temporary cOmmand
until relieved by General George Crook,
who had been assigned to the District Of
the Ksnawha. General Crook was form
erly Captain in the United States Army,
but upon the breaking out of the war, was
appointed Colonel Of the Seth o. Y. L,
which position he held till sitter the battle
Of Antietam, when he was made Brigs-
dier General. He has been in the SOUTH
west for year past, but has now come
back to the place where he formerly served.
There is no one better acquainted with the
country and people Of this Department
than he, and we look to good results from
his command. Dame rumor is busy here
as usual and the camp is full Of all kinds
of reports. Among other things 1t is re-
ported that the rebels are concentrating
their forces at WytheVille on the Rich
mond and East Tennessee Railroad, for the
purpose Of making raid through the Kan
swha Valley into Ohio. This may be pos
sible, but not probable. The condition Of
the mountain roads and the difficulty Of
getting transportation will sffectually pre-
vent the advance Of large force till late
in the season; and even if then, is very
doubtful. The rebels look with covetous
eyes at this Valley, on account Of the ex-
tensive salt works, and have made two or
three desperate efforts to get and retain
possession here, but without success.
For three months past there has been
party of rebel csVslry under Colonel
Ferguson, rowing through this department,
stealing horses and coRscripting the few
able bodied men that they could find.
These maurauders were terror to all 10y
al citizens and hated by the rebel symps-
thisers, for they plundered friend and foe
without distinction. We have at length
the satisfaction Of announcing that Colo
mel Ferguson and the greater part Of his
rebel crew have been captured. This WAS
4 =
but we hsve had no official account Of the
affair as the troops making the capture do
not belong to this department, but had
crossed The Big Sandy from Kentucky and
had returned again to thst Stste with their
prisoners.
A considerable number ofprisoners have
been lately sent in to this place from the
outpost at Fayetteville, and lArgenumbers
Of rebel soldiers are arriving every week,
having deserted and come in to give them
selves up Hnder the Amnesty act. These
state that the rebel forces generally think
that their cause is hopeless, and that IS
soon as warm weather approaches, the men
will desert en- nGsse. They also repOrtthat
there is great lack Of confidence in each
other, among the rebel soldiers, which pre-
vents their combining together and deliV-
ering themselves in q body. They are I'M
der such complete espionage that their
very thoughts seem TO be known to their
oppressors, and the tyranny under which
they suffer cannot be endured much longer
without open revolt.
We are still quiet in camp, and perform
ing the usual routine Of picket and guard
duties Recruits are arriving daily, and
we hope to soon have full regiment
The majority Of the old members have re-
enlisted, and had their reward in the shape
of thirty days furlOugh, IS the reward.
This place is very healthy, though since
the recruits have began to come in, there
has been larger number in the hospital
than for some time past. The men are in
good spirits and as eager as eVes TO show
their devotion to the cause in which we
are engaged The 23d is not ashamed of
its record, and will never sully the bright
name that was purchased SO dearly BY the
lives of our brave comrades. Our fsg is
torn, pierced by many a bullet and she'll
but few Of our old comrades are here-but
our hearts are still firm, and the determi-
nation to stand by the old Asg, is still ss
firm as when we first left our homes to
seek the insolent foe.
That we may be ever prompt in the dis
charge Of every duty, and never fail in |
the hour of trial, is the wish Of
salts.