The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-03-11
From the Ninth Regiment.
FORTRESS MONROE, VIRGINIA, }
February %, 1864. !

FORTRESS MONROE, VIRGINIA, !
February %, 1864. !
10 the Editor Of The Caledonian:
Lying at anchor in Hampton Roads to
start for Newbern in few hours, it struck
me that | might write something that would
interest some of your readers. And l dom,
know what would interest them more than
to relate the conversation of some thirty
deserters from the rebel army, with whom
bivouacked last night.
These men deserted from various Regi-
ments of North Carolina and Virginia troops.
Their looks certainly bespeak for them SYM
pathy, scantily clothes, hollow w-cheeked, sunk
en-eyed, miserable, deluded men, as they
freely acknowledge. These men have all
been fighting ever since the war broke out,
having originally enlisted for twelve months.
One month before the expiration of their
term of service the rebel congress passed an
act, that all soldiers might re-enlist in case
, they did not - re-enlist they would be held
to service during the war. At that time
they were so thoroughly impressed with the
belief that they would soon conquer a peace
that they cared little for thus being forced in
10. service. But as time wore on d " change
came DER the spirit of their Dreams" Short
rations, (for the last year growing shorter }
insufficient clothing and poor pay; their
families suffering for articles that confeder-
ate currency would not buy, set them to
thinking and then to deserting by the hun
dreds.
They state that there are two reasons that
operate against their deserting :-one is.
many feel that they cannot leave their fam
lies to the not tender mercies o. the rebel
leaders, another is the story industriously
circulated amongst them that they will be fore
ed into or ranks. Although many of them do
enlist in our army, yet all with whom | have
talked express themselves as being utterly
sick and tired of the war. Their rations
when they left were one pound Of bacon and
three quarts of meal per day for six men.
Some OF them have been barefooted for nine
weeks. But the most astonishing part of
their story is with regard to the utter worth
lessnesS of the confederate currency. Some
o. them have on the coarseSt OF brogans for
which they paid 30 dollars boots l25 dol
lars. One has on sui, Of ordinary grey
Cashmere fol which he paid fce hunGred
dollars. And vet these articles could he
bought with sreenbacks or specie at prices
not unreasonable. These men say that any
one who has {. S. \. Currency is glad to give
fifteen dollars for one dollar of greenback
currency, tnd that although such transactions
ara Illegal yet all are engaged in it from
President to private.
| need not present our financial matters in
contrast with those of rebeldom, vet ! canno,
forbear to add my testimony in support of
the fact that our men are eager for the fray
and coupled with belief that this war will
be ended in one year, is firm determination
that it shaN he ended.
There is on every hand here evidences of
ment. Two regiments Of negro cavalry and
full battery are now drilling in sight of
I 7 eb
ern copperheaded dough-faces were here to
see how these ebony links between man and
the baboon perform military evoutions, it
! nj Int be the means Of getting ne,c idea in
| t. their heads Ii is evident to the most un-
/ military of critics that they take great pride
In accuracy Of movements. asked one OF
the sable heroes this morning to tell NE iust
what they thought Of being armed and drill
ell He took off his hat and answered
"Weli, Sab, tell YOU dc secesh don't like
it nigh so well as We do and if We ever gifts
in de fiel Of battle wild um dey wont like it
nigh SO well as deg does now !" | asked him
if they were we'll treated by their officers
son, yes sab, wese no fault to find"
yen may depend upon it that the Corps
de Atiique is destined to play no unimpor-
tant part in the coming campaign. But We
are getting up steam and | must close. Il
acceptable to your readers l may write again
C.K.