New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-14

ard important question il presents. From him learned
that this question had already been decided ny the fres
idont himself who holds that the amnesty offered by HIS
proclamation does not extend to prisoners of war, nor
to persons suffering punishment under tie sentence OF
military conrts or On trial or under charges for military
oTenscs. VERY respectfully your obedient servant.
j. HoLT, Jndge-Ads ocate General
The Rebel Cotten.sclIiBg Propositions.
Tho following il % more full account OF The
propositions made by Rebel officers concerning the
sale Of cotton, published by The 81 Louis Republican,
II is taken from the Memphis correspondence Of The
Republican:
learn from good authority that 0usrernnster OF
tho Confederate army, ut ernendo acting by authority
Of Richmond officials has offered 10 Gen. Hurlbut TO
sell 10 him. the United States, MI tho cotton now
naming within certain district in Mississippi nou
outside Of the Union lines.
The quantity embraced In this offer Is about fifteen
thousand bales which, think is all Confederate States
cotton The offer Ia TO sell and take pay in greenbacts
/ an crediby informed that Gen. Hurbut fayors the
purchase aud has slready communicated to washing
ton the offer that has been made with his recommended
ton that the cotton be bought Indeed understand
that Cen HUrlbut commanding this department would
favor the purchase by the United States Of all the cotton
in Mississippi
He il said to favor it for several reasons. First it
would put stop 10 the operations Of rascay speculst
orr and the corruption and bribery so common now.
Then it would be heavy blow TO British holders Of
move one Of the strongest motives for contributing AID
10 the Confederacy Them payment being made IN
greenbaoks the receivers OF such funds would become
stockholders in the Federal Government and interested
in its success.
But the offer Of the Confederate officer to sell the
Is 600 bales very conclusive evidence that the ebes
which this is must soon pass out OF their
control The whole Of Mississippi is, in fact, doomed
The Unonists will have the whole Of IL early In the
Spring.
ON oredibly informed that the Rebels west Of t'e
Mssissippia OF them leaders and led. niiitary men
and civilians-coDsider the Secession game played
that Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas must H.
evtably pass out OF their control and that all sug
gle TO hold these States is vain. They perceive Two
things
l. That the Union army 10 fully adequate 10 dispossess
thsm--tbat they cannot maintain an army In those
States for the very cogcnt that their soldiers
are tired and hopeless and that every conscript
runs away the first opportunity.
That the people u those States the masses ere de
termined get back into the union and thai the Var
shall end
their thoughts aud convictions the subject aud the
whole country may be certain Of speedy and complete
repossesson OF the entire trans Mississippi region by
the Union power. No one could be here week. and
meet as have DONE citizens OF Arkansas, Louisiana and
Texas Who for two years and more. have lived within
the Rebel lines In constant intercourse with Rebel Gen
erals, subordinate officers and soldiers OF the Rebel
army and citizens of those States and hear their state
about the ang hopes and fears OF the people
among whom they have lived and for moment doubt
that the Rebellion IL practically dead in that region and
any vigorous prosracted fighting the part OF the
Rebels impossible.
And IN this connection, viii give somewhat stsrt
ling statement which heard last night. II is affirmed
here that recently Cen Kirby Smith sent authorized
messenger TO Washington to propose 20 the Federal au.
thor,es To furnish every requisite facility TO get out al
the cotton in the portion Of the Red River ard Waeha
district within Rebel control the money oT the same TO
be paid the class of officers excepted nom the amnesty
offered by President Lincoln. they 10 retire from the
Rebel army and 60 into Mexico
should hesifate 20 make this statement, II had 10.
received il from very high here with the
that there good FOR believing II 10 b.
true. The fact IT, the Rebellion is collapsing; AND q.
rats nstinctyey desert sinking ship. the Rebels feel
the sinking the foundations Of their fabric Of treason
and hasten already escape the tunblng OF the walls
0FPERs 10 DESERT.
Within the past ter days, ten. Huilbut sent ont
Gag oi truce SOHO business 10 Gen. Forrest. On
gon out II party met flag If truce from Gen. FORREST
Amer an exchange Of greeting, and the particular
business saetod the Rebels who bnd come out IRON
Forrest proposed 10 return with tie nosts 10 then
camp aud join the Union army.
Being under flag OF truce the rnionists declined
the proposal not wishing to abuse NE sacred rules OF
flag OF truce TO any such purpose igey ho@e'ei' re-
ported the fact headquarters ON their return DC
scrtons from the Rebel ranks and entry INTO the
Union lines are So common. occurring every day end
night that they cease 10 be talked about toush they
are promptly reported daily.
The losses 10 the Rebels by desertion are enormous.
They may enforce their conscript law lhey may take
sill besgee the ages Of 10 and 10 They may lerud.
onsy take those who in good faith paid large sums OF
money for substitutes. as the Rebel Government now
threaens to do; but with I'LL such efforts whether fair
or foul there is good for saying that they cam
mot materially increase their army because they
not retain conscrpts beyond the inst hour Offering
sn opportunity 10 escape.
These de,crtions are not matters Of occurrence In
Arkansas merely, where there are now whoe ,n'"n MOI.
regiments made mp of former Rebel soldiers. Infy
occur in Mississippi. Tennessee, and Georgia "itmn
the present week squad Of Rebel ON bIays
army dcscrters after wandering through me country
hiding by day and travelling by night, reached IN.
Union lines, give themselves up werI., with ie'i'i.u
garments and feet almost bar,. ana se now ,a"leo u
the Union army At post bity miles eas' o' heic.