Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-03-31
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
rae SECRETS OF THE CONFEDERACY
BY R.P. WALTON .

A Washington correspondent OF the Tribune
furnishes information from the Confedefacy,
protesting to exhibit from rebel official au-
thority facts in regard to the rebellion, its
military strength, it's condition, and some Of
the opinions Of its principal leaders on vari-
Gus matters.
The Confederate military strerg 9Th is stated
at 1890 men, of whom 1000 are with
Lee, % 900 with Beauregerd and Hardee,
and 5000 with Bragg. The net loss Of men
by Hood in his late Tennessee campaign was
%, 500
An account Of Gen. Lees testimony be-
fore committee Of the rebel Senate is given,
by which it appears that he was opposed to
the evacuation Of Richmond, as the Virginia
troops would not go to North Carolina that
the Conlederacy had not sufficient troops to
last till midsummer that the policy Of arm
ing the negroes was necessary in order to
carry on the war, but that they must have
their liberty that with the negroes in the
field retel success was still probematical ;
that the army was almost unanimous for
peace, ana that peace on the pan Of Vice
President Stephens would be the best present
policy, as the army and the people ought to
be saved If all else was lost The plan Of
Mr. Stephens is stated as follows
FrSf-Let President Lincoln issu' address The
army and people Of the South, embodyng in that ad
dress what he has before said TO pae and also what
passed at his interview with the Commissioners
q Sscand-Agrte to appoint Commissioners on the
part Of the United States to State Commissioner
IN the part Of sloh States desire to meet at Nashville
Louisville Cincinnati, In April or May, 10 consult a.
TO peace on the basis II such states returning the
Union upon the sole condition Of obedience to the Cou'
sdtuton and laws Of the Republic.
D.. = ..aI..s - c. hall
Commissioners to that Convention Of Senators and
Representatives to the Congress Of the United States
TO enter such Congress upon equal terms with each OH
er members Of it, and such states to have equality on
the noor OF Congress with other states.
Mr.. Stephens is represented as believing
that any further attempt at negotiating peace
by the rebel government, or to carry on the
war, would be futile and unjust to the people
and the states--in plain terms, that the func-
tons of the Confederate government are al
an end. He is said to consider that the above
plan would secure the appreciation Of North
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missis-
sippi, and perhaps South Carolina and Virgil
MIA. He was quite sure il would command
the assent Of at least six states. In present
circumstances, he might reasonably hope II
would be still more generally adopted
A list Of Senators and Representatives in
the rebel Congress, and Others who are in
favor Of reconstruction ia published 1t en-
braces from Virginia, IL from Nor h Caro-
ina. from South Carolina, from Georg a,
from Alabama and from Mississippi.
The above proposition of Mr.. Stephens for
reconstruction, on the basis Of the submission
Of the rebels d" to the laws and constitution OF
the Republic" demonstrates most conclusive
ly the imperative reason why President Lin.
coin, Gov. Smith Of Vermont, Gov Btamette
OF Kentucky. and other friends Of freed IN,
were and still are anxious for the ratification
of the Constitutional amendment at the earli-
est possible moment. II done before the re.
admission of the rebel states, the slavery
question will be surely settled. If not done
before, it may possibly fail of being done a.
all.