The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-01
IMPORTANT FORM TEGAS.
statemcntOf a Deserter fromthe Rebels

Mr. \. d. Peterson, who left Velasco,
Texas, at the mouth of the BrazOs, on
the 5th inst, furnishes the following
account of how he escaped from the
rebel army, his experience in it, and the
condition of things generally in the
rebel lines in Texas Mr.. Peterson is
originally from Grand Rapids, State Of
Michigan, but was a resident Of Texas
when the rebellion first commenced
He was conscripted by the first rebel
conscription, in the summer of 1862
After being conscripted he was sent to
the mouth of the Brazos, where he re-
mained up to the 5th inst, except three
mouths last summer, when he was alb
sent from there from May to August in
louisiana engaged in the campaign
against Banks. He was present, how
ever, in no battle, and considers it
streak Of good luck that he was never
compelled to FIRE one bullet against the
army and flag Of his country.
From the time that Mr. Peterson first
entered the rebel camp Of the Thir-
teenth Texas infantry, in which regi~
ment he served during his experience
in the rebel army, the rebels were short
of clothing, coffee and other necessary
articles that had to be brought from
abroad. They have since gradually
run out Of everything except ammuni-
ton and arms, and at present they are
dependent entirely upon corn bread
and beef for subsistence There is very
little tea, coffee or flour, and the army
have received but very little of these
for the last six months. Corn meal Is
so a bushel; -four, 3 a pound; coffee,
$50 pound sugar, 81 a pound; but
ter, s. pound eggs, 81 q dozen. A
common pair Of calf boots cost $50 10
Sl7j, and everything else in proportion
Tho whole army IN Twas is dissatisfied.
and would gladly give up the war on
any conditions If possible. Remarks
are now made by the soldiers concern
ing the army, the confederaey and its
leaders, for which they would have been
hung a year ago If they so dared % ex-
press themselves The are many North
ern men in the army, and these are the
most dissatisfied but the discomfort
is universal, 10 the extent Of our in
forInants experience, among officers
and men. The great majority Of the
people share the sentiments Of the army
regarding the eonfederacy and its lead
ers. The higher officers pretend 70 be-
lieve in the ultimate success Of the re-
beliion; but the men and subalterns
have long despaired Of establishing the
Southern confederacy. Among the
troops stationed at Galveston two seri-
Gus riots occurred The first Of these
occurred in July Of last year, and was
on account Of the short supply Of ra-
tiOns. Thetroops turned their guns on
the town. The commander Of the post,
Colonel Cook, sent word from the town
that they would be- starved into sub
mission To this the men replied that
they would apply 70 the blockade run
ners, Col Cook then came 70 terms and
supplied ali that was demanded, and
thus the mutiny was quelled The
second revolt Of the troops IN galveston
occurred about three months ago. The
troops turned out at Galveston IN bo-
DIV. demanded more and better rati0ns,
took the ratiOns that had been issued
10 them that morning and burned them
in the public square Col Cook again ac-
ceded 70 Their demands, in compliance
with an oTde- from General MagrudeF,
who was then at Houston.
The Department Of Texas, comprising
that State, Arizona and New Mexico,
is under the command OF General
Magruder. The forces in the whole
department. consisting Of State troons,
boys, old men and al tlat could b
mustered consist Of twenty thousand