Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-21

A correspondent of the Cincinnati Com
meroial gives long and interesting &C
count of the experiences Of Union Spy
who has been travelling since the Sd Of
August through the rebel States. He found
Gen. Bragg's army, at that time, on quar-
ter rations; he reports that there is re-
gulsr system of secret spies in every rebel
regiment; that all the disaffec.ed are re-
ported; and that the punishmsnts are ter
rible. Nevertheless desertions are fire.
quent...
While riding through northern Alabama
and ndportions Of Georgia, deserters in squads
of from twenty-five to one hundred, were
met almost daily in the woods, seeking
safety from the rebel cavalry, who were
met on every public and side road, in
search Of stragglers and deserters, and con-
scripting all citizens who came in their
wny. In many places he found regularly
organized bands Of dessrters, straeglers
and runaway negroes, intrenohed On the
hills and mountains, prepared to resist
attempts at their capture. They inhabit
caves in some instances, and, where no
better means Of shelter is at hand, like the
natives of the forest, they make burrows
in hillsides.
These fugitives resist and attack the con-
scripting officers; they live upon what they
can rob the planters Of.
The spy found Union men in all parts Of
the South, in the army and at their homes.
he found the poor in favor of peace and
Unionj the planters generally desiring
peace with disunion.
Wherever he went he found the most in.
tense suffering prevailing among the SOL
diers families. Thousands drag out a mis-
erable existence upon the paltry pittanee
derived from the government, for the man
ufacture Of army clothing, st which about
one dollsrper day in Confederate money can
be realized, Bread riots are frequent, yet
the newspapers do not mention them, lest
the intelligence reach the soldiers. They
are not confined to one or two places, but
are universal in every city and town
throughout the South, where the poor,
starving families can be collected together.
The spy witnessed many of these riots.
which he describes az extremely narrowing
to the feelings Of the humane. To such an
extreme are unfortunate families Of SOL
diers driven that the women in towns and
cities, as last resort, take to life of
prostitution. So general is this that the
name Of q "War widow" has become sy-
nonymous with life Of debauchery.
All but spectators are represented as
in favor Of reputation. Although fearing
the conhscation Of their cotton on the ad-
vance Of the Federsls, planters prefer TO
trust to chances than to dispose Of it for
rebel currency. The soldiers, when asked
what their pay is per month, reply "ffty-
five cents per month at present rates."
The issue Of notes are $85, 100000 per
month. There is between 10000 900
and $140,000000 Of rebel counterfeit
money in circulation, he was informed. Fl
CURIOUS SCENE IN A SOUTHERN THEATER
He attended the theater in Atlanta on
the 10th of September, when "MeLamoraD |
was brought out. In the scene where Net |
dnlorG is assaulted by the British soldiers, |
8 rebel soldier exclaimed, "Why don't you |
do like Gen. Brsgg-fall back on Atlants?" |
Another exclaimed, 'Tll bet they don't be- |
long to Bragg's army; they don't know
how to retreat" In another scene, where |
one Of the characters is in danger, a SOL
lier created much merriment by exclaim-
ing, "Don't hurt him; he is one Of Brsgg's
,ommissaries. If you kill him We will be
,ntirely without q ration. We are bad
enough of as it is" Still another cried,
Thanked again, by golly. Well, Rosi6 is
! great fellow; hurrsh for Rosie" This
vas the signal for loud cheers for old Rosie
" the soldiers present The provost guard
and ended the disloysI demon
trstion by marching off seven or eight of
he participants to the guard house.
He reports the poor, even in South Caro-
ina, in favor of the Union. In North
'srolins Unionists speak openly. The
lsnters who flee towards the center Of the
Confederaey" with their slaves are coldly
eceived, and called interlopers. Male
lsVes in Alabama and Georgia sell for
ess than slave women, because they are
lore apt to run away. In many cases
laves are offered free to planters, for their '
eep, but are refused. The defeat Of Val
lndignam in Ohio greatly discouraged the I
sbel leaders. The railroads are in 8 most /
rrafehad cnndilion