Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-18


Eighty rebel deserters, says the Post Of
WedResdsy, arrived here this morning
from Washington, They have all taken
the oath Of AllegiSnce. As body, these
meR are superior to the rebel prisoners
who we're brought to this port eighteen or
twenty months sgo for safe keeping; and
they are heartily tired of the rebellion.
Nearly all Of them escaped from Lees
army late in the month Of Jsnusry, in re-
sponse TO the Presidents amnesty proola-
nation, and with the understanding that
they Wonld be imediately released on
arriving North and taking the osth. They
were, however, confined in the Old Capital
Prison for time, through some mistake
Of the authorities. Two hundred rebels
who remsin in the prison will, it is expect
ed be released at once, snd arrive here in
the course of day or two.
Some Of the number who arrived to day
left the rebel army six weekssgo; and they
make some statements concerning the ef-
feots Of the amnesty proclamation. They
say that the partisl extracts from it print
ed in the rebel papers which found their
way inte the army, caused much discus +.
sion wherever they were read, though in
many parts Of the army little was known
Of the proclamation except from rumor.
The malignant and fiery rebels ridiculed
it; they said no man could hoDorably ac-
.oept il, and IS for themselves, they would
not consent 70 give up the fight until the
independence Of the "glorious Southern
Confederaey" was fully established. These
men are in minority, but are in sym
pathy with the officers, who, to consider
III Il Al. ~
army. Other men affect to believe that
the promise Of the President will not be
kept they are opposed to the slavery re-
etriotion clause; but majority do not OBJ
sect to the amnesty, leaving it to be infer
red that they would accept il If they had
opportunity
The re-enlislment furore which the rebel
journals report, hiss, these men say, no ex-
istence in fact, except ss a means Of avoid
ing Sonscripiion- They relate that some
time ago an Alsbams regiment which de-
elined to re-enlist was regularly disbsnded
at the expiration Of its term Of service
4As men were making preparations TO pro-
Seed TO their homes, and vera formally
ooascripted and placed again in the ranks.
1t was fully unde rstood iu the army thai
this prosess would be repeated in all sim.
5lar cases.
The furloughing Of rebel soldiers wal
continued TO January last-s few from
each company. The men who arrived
here to-day state, Rs the result Of theiI
own observation, tnat Of every ten men
who 20. not more than three return-tbe
others escaping 10 their homes, and some.
times scrcss the Mississippi.
II F.,- su faN ~ N14nn a.
diers who averaged the corps, divisions
and brigades, at about $1,000 men si1
weeks ago.
What is called full marching ration
in rebeldom-(half Of which is given, &C
Oording TO Trustworthy rebel accounts, Il
our prisoners )-oonsists Of quarter Of I
pound Of meat and pound Of -four o.
meal. The rstions usually issued are les
in amount, and the soldiers say that Whel
the hrst meal from the days rsions wa
eaten, there was little, If anything, left
and for the remainder Of the day the,
Aungered,
Il is distinctly affirmed and repeated b.
these men, that the confidence with whicl
the rebel soldiers entered the army, AM
which they maintained for long period
does not now exist; and that only th
desperate pride Of the rebels in srms, an
$he strietness Of discipline which is pre-
ssrrsd, keep them in the feld. The gene
raj desPeadency is increasing and hoV
70 escape s1aoessfully-a very dificul
nstter-is the main question with q lsrg
portiOn Of the rank End file. Detection Z
he piokets is not uncommon; and u
majority Of the soldiers who desert do s
9ish the oonniEsnos OF the guards. sel
eral Of the men who oEme here to-ds
wersen picket duty Ehsn they took tssi
departure; one Of them boasted that
I. Lei 81 eight Of his OompaniAns, and the
,hiasolf brought up the ''rsar guard