Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-02-03
Correspondence ofthe Cincinnati COmmerciall
A Unionist's Trip Through the Con-
federacy.


A Unionist's Trip Through the Con-
federacy.
What He Sac and What He Did-The Po.
Ice .System-Horrid Treatment and Butch
eTy Of DcscTtcrs and Prisoners.
CHATTANOOGA, TESN., Dec. 20. 1868.
1t was my good fortune to-day to make
the acquaintance of highly intelligent
gentleman, who, since the commence
ment of the war, has been in the constant
employment of the Government rs spy.
Previous to the rebellion he was engaged
in business that compelled him to trav-
el largely throughout the South. and con-
sequently his previous acquaintance with
localities and people enabled him to OBJ
tain information of the utmost import
ance to the Government, and form clear
and correct opinions as to the sentiments
of the people and the internal condition
of the Confederacy. He has just return
ed from a fom months tour through the
States of Alabama, Tennessee, Florida,
Georgia, North and South Carolina and
Virginia; and has shown me highly COM
plimentary letters from Generals in the
army for the valuable information fur
nished. Much of his information is mere
ly confrmatory of statements already
made through the medium of returned
prisoners; but roaming at will through
rebel camps, conyersing with officers high
in command, obtaining the confidence of
old friends, he had rare opportunities for
obtaining trustworthy information. His
description Of his frequent arrests and
narrow escapes is graphic and almost i'm
probable; but having seen hispapers, and
the seal of the Rebel Secretary of War,
into whose confidence, by his good address
and polished manners, he ingratiated
himself, place implicit confidence in his
statement.
DEPARTURE TOR DIXIE.
At the request of the General COM
manding the department. my informant
left Nashville on the Sd of August on the
trip from which he has Just returned
Leaving our lines, he boldly entered the
Confederacy, but his superior wardrobe
and intelligent bearing were suspicious,
and, arriving at Falherso Springs, he was
arrested as a spy Fortunately he met an
old friend in the person of rebel surgeon,
through whose instrumentality he was
released and set ut liberty. Starting di-
rectly for General Bragg's army, heTeach-
ed it in due time, and remained with il
until after the battle of Chickamauga,
with the exception of occasional trips to
neigbboring cities and towns, where he
m mlnaged to avoid suspicion. AT the bat
tie of Chickamauga he was present and
learned the intentions of the command
ing officers, as well as the exact strength
of the enemy's forces.
THE ARMY OF GEN. BRAGG.
The condition of the soldiery is repre-
sented as being deplorable. Placed, as
they are, on quarter rations, of the most
common and filthy description, with no
prospects of better fare in the future,
much demoralization exists, and it is only
by promises of food and clothing that
they are kept from utter disorganization.
At the present deprecated rates Of rebel
currency the soldiers pay Is bUt fifty
cents per month in gold. This is a sub
iect of loud and constant complaint from
the men, whose families are suffering for
the absolute necesssries of life. Notwith-
standing the vigilance of spies and of
icers.
DESERTIONs
are very frequent. While riding through
Northern Alabama and portions of Geor-
gia, deserteIs, in squads of from twenty
FIVE to one hundred, were met almost
daily III the woods, seeking safety from
the rebel cavalry, who were met on every
public and side road, in search of strag-
glers and deseTters, and conscripting all
citizens who came in their way. In many
places he found regularly organized bands
of deserters, stragglers and runaway ne
groes, entrenched on the hills and noun
tains, prepared 10 resist attempts at their
capture. They inhabit caves, IN some in
stances, and, where no better means OF
shelter is at hand, like the natives of the
| forest, they make burrows in hillsides,
where they lay in wait for squads of cav
| airy, to rush upon and bushwhack them.
/ These fugitives subsist wholly on what
they can pillage from neighboring plant
ers. Deserters are shot by the dozen al
most daily in Bragg's army.
THE SIGNAL OF ALARM.
On the approach of rebel cavalry or con-
scripting officers, who by the way, are al
ways accompanied by a military escort,
! the fugitiyes give the signal OF alarm by
/ blowing a tin horn. Ny informant states
several instances which came under his
own eye, the rebel cavalry being attacked
and put to fight by these fugitives. Du-
ring three days journey in portion of
Alabama, he heard the deserters' signal
almost hourly, and daily learned of more
or less being killed on both sides. The
darkey, it is said, is largely represented
in their rendezVoused habitations, and
when fight takes place, freely assists.
JEFF. Davis proclamation issued about
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