The New York herald., 1865-05-29
The Rebel Capital-What II Was and
@9us ~ what It Is. go" " iea ~

4 We publish In another part,of the HERALD o
graphic and interesting account Of recent
visit to tho late rebel capital, from the pen Of
gentleman who formerly did business there,
and whose position entitled him TO get clear
insight into its present condition. It shows
into what chaos Of confusion that once prosper
GUS city has fallen under the despotic sway Of
JEFF. Davis. The wonder is that the people
there submitted to 1t 80 long. 1t is evident
that every resert was had to false arguments,
wicked fabricatious and appeals to their pride,
to keep them not only in profound ignorance,
but steady in their ruinous mistakes. Every
thing that could mislead them was resorted to
in order to secure their fidelity. Up to the
last moment they were entirely deceived as to
their approaching fate.
The social condition of the Inhabitants was
terrible. They we're poorly fed, and were COM
PEELED to give up to the military authorities
one half Of their scanty stores Of daily pro-
visions. Bread and water furnished two Of their
daily meals. Boys he age Of fifteen years
were torn from their families and forced into the
ranks. The most respectable women were in
carcerated for weeks at a time in filthy prisons
on the mere suspicion of entertaining friendly
sentiments towards the Union Burglaries were
common, and personal safety unknown We
learn from this statement many curious and
amusing traits of the negroes, now suddenly
developing their peculiarities. without con-
straint-the manner in which they are making
themselves comfortable on the plantations, and
their ideas as to wages and labor. We also get
an insight into the present temper and tono Of
thought among the i. Z. VS. now thoroughly
disciplined into recognition of their defeat,
with still lingering and not unnatural dspo-
siton TO excuse themselves for their stupendous
folly. 1t appears that there is quite DISPOSE
ton in large numbers of those who have been
impoverished by the rebellion TO come North
and employ their hands and wits in repairing
their losses by dilligent labor whers labor is
free, honorable aud remunera!lve.
We also get an idea from this account of the
imprcenability Of Richmond per Sc, as Mr.. Tyler
used to say, and also of the splendid strategy
and persistent bravery and skill of General
Grant in capturing the strongest fortified place
in the world. We learn, too, the general con-
viction among the rebel officers, now going
home after taking the oath of allegiance, that
they have been soupdly whipped, and that 1t is
only fair TO acknowledge 1t; also the anxiety
Of she people who have been most active as
rebels to know what is TO be done with thom,
and how they will finally be treated.
Now that the inside Of tho rebellion can be
examined, il Is evident that il was q great
humbug and muddle from The beginning; that
it had no abiding strength beyond that of tho
dcllriom of patient in high fever, whose
efforts may be almost superbuman for few mo-
meuls, but soon fall OF from exhaustion.
II is curious to MOTIFS also that as soon as
our armies entered The city The greatest relief
was cxperienosd. Suspicion 1cl, order was
restored, fraternity was cultivated; and, still
stranger, that tho city marSc.s were soon ro-
plenishcd with oil kinds OF wholesome and
even luxurious food at rates cheaper than