Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-03-18
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Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune1
srEAxEa 9. W. GsAxAx, kearch 9th, 1854.
On the recent expedition into Mississippi
We had good opportunity to observe the
sentiments OF the people in the interior of the
Confedcncy. Much Of it is in accordance
with what has been written Of the sentiments
OF the people in other parts Of the South and
adds but another confirmation to the great
amount Of proof Of the rottcnness Of the
rebel policy. The following is . copy of 4
private letter written by Confederate mem
her Of Congress, to one Of his friends, and
shows the sort Of feeling that pervades the
hearts OF the law-givsrs Of the South. The
letter was written by O. r. Singleton, Of Can
ton, Miss, who has brother, we believe, of
some notoriety, in Quincy, Illinois. The let.
ter was kindly loaned to US by tho officer
having 1t in his possession:
RICHMOND, January %, 1864.
IIcx. j. B. HANCOCK DEAR Sir-I wish
I had to day glass Of your excellent wine,
as feel somew hat languid and fatigued after
Sny multiplied and incessant duties here. l
hope some day to drink the health Of our
young nation and talk over our chair breadth
escapes and great tribulations. The pres.
ent hour looks gloomy, to be sure; but, like
yourself, believe in ultimate success. To
give us this success, We want to strike a. ef.
fective blow early in the spring. This will
set as on our legs again. Doubtless the Fed
erals will open the campaign by moving .
heavy column upon Atlanta, Ga, and at the
same time heavy one from Knoxville, in the
direction of Southwestern Virginia and
Northern North Carolina This latter, il not
repelIed, will force upon Gen. Lse the necee-
sity Of falling back from his present posi-
zion, il gnay be frons Richmond, and almost
entirely from Virginia, to prevent himself
from being Hanked, and his army from being
entirely disbanded or destroyed. You can
see 81 once il this movement be allowed to
succeed, that these consequences must fol-
low. This portion Of Virginia is now pretty
well eaten out, md il Less army were cut
off from the South it could not be provision
ed for three months. Pressed in front, and
harrassed in rear, with provisions exhausted,
disbsndment and destruction must follow.
1t then becomes 4 matter ofthc first mo-
rnent 10 guard the rear Of the army of the
Potomac.
Should the movement upon Atlanta sue.
coed, then Georgia will be laid wss.e, and
onr chief source (at presently of provisions be
cut of. No man can look forward to Spring
without great apprehensions Doubtless our
severest trials will then be upon US. II We
sustain ourselves, or more, if we gain any
signal advantage ove- the enemy soon after
the opening Of the campaign, we may give
the opposition elements Of the North chance
to combine and beat LiRcolR for President.
This should hail as good omsn and begin
to think Of peace at no very distant day. |
See no chance for peace until the Republican |
party is beaten and overcome. In the mean |
tine things are assuming more unfavorable |
aspect in North Carolina. Her course is
deeply humiliating 10 every patriotic heart.
Congress is laboring diligently to strengthen
our army, and improve our currency. hope |
we shall succeed materially in accomplishing
both Of these ends. The remedy is Z severe
one, but the disease is desperate, and no silly
rostrun will answer. The cause is The peo
Piles and they must sustain il ut all hazards, |
aud the representative who falters in this
hour Of trial is not worthy Of confidence. |
would tell you what measures we are likely
to adopt, but that would be contraband, as
our proceedings are in secret session.
rs ever, your friend. mast truly.
0. Il. SINGLETON.
This letter shows the sentiments of the
Confederate leaders, or rather, perhaps, the
sentiments which they profess to outsiders,
to feel. But it is respondent enough, hoping
against hope. The only drop Of consolation
they seem to have is that the Republican
party may be beaten At the next election
Our conversations were chiefly with the COM
man people, and We found hardly man who |
did not wish the war to close at once. They
seemed 10 have lost al heart in the rebellion
Many OF the soldiers have hardly interest
enough left to cause them to right, and. oar
army met With hardly San instance whepe
they stood up to the xaskt and fought az il |
they meant Agkt. The reason in many cases
10 that they are convinced that their cause is !
hopeless, and they are not willing to risk
their lives where it will do no good This
feeling is gaining ground every day. Espec
tally did the expedition of Sherman convince
them OF the fact. Living so far in the int.
rlor, they had imagined themselves perfectly
secure from intrusion, but that golden illu.
sion has been 81 ldenly dispeled, and now
they believe that the Federals can raise force
enough to go where, and do as they please.
This is not very gratifying truth, but still
It win have very salutary effect on the Con.
fedcrstcs. All of the Confederate raids into
the North have been disastrous failures the
people have risen with one accord and driven
out the invaders; but there were no people
to band together to resist our progress
nearly all the available force is already in the
army, and that army is stationed at other
points to arrest our advance and cannot be
spared to 60 elsewhere. 81
The country through which we passed was
mostly inhabited by the poorer class of peo.
pie, who own few or no negroes. These were
originally Tor the Union, until carried away
BY the brilliant prospect held out to them by
political leaders. II is needless to saw how
bitterly they now curse those leaders, when
il is too late.
We do not mean BY this that they are good
Unionists, love the old flag, &C., but the very
reverse is the case. They look like those
who have staked their all and lost. They do.
slmost without exception, wish themselves
back where they were before the war com.
menced, but dislike the humiliation of giving
dp aad coming back. They would like most
Of al things 10 have some corner of the world
where they can live and be let alone.
They arc kept in great ignorance OF the
state Of stfsirs at the North. ! did not see
one individual on the route that had read
Llneolns amnesty proclamation. This igno.
rance can hardly have boon as matter of
course. but must have been intentional on the
part Of the leaders. The real strength Of the
North, and tho comparatively small amount
OF suffering caused by the war Is unknown
except where they have had intercourse With
the Yankees. The negroes seemed pretty
Vel Impressed with the fact that the war
means no harm 10 them. though their owners
try.to persuade them differently.
One Of our scouts who was In advance NJ
the army, met choice specimen, who eyed
him With that cir Of mingled fear and curios-