St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1865-06-08

tlon Of a few they have been allowed
the freedom Of the place. The usual
guards, however, about the streets and
public warehouses were strengthened
as matter of precaution against any
who might attempt to FIRE the place or
commit depredations. In many in
stances squads Of rebel officers and men
were marched from the prison yard to
the depot BY guards Of negro soldiers.
Although some stamped and swore to
be thus guarded BY the t'corner stone'
Of the Confederacy, etill they bore it
and obeyed the commands Of the SOL
dierly-looking negro sergeant with COM
mendable alacrlty. :. -.
Since the advent at this place OF a
portion Of the Confederacy the precious
metals have been at par. The John
MES attempted to ''realize," but the
'Yanks" "couldn't see it," and they
were induced to take dollar for dollar
in trading with currency or gold. The
cry is, Still they come ; and no doubt
for the next month We will have large
influx Of the rebels belonging to John
sons army, who are obliged to come
this way to reach the States in which
most Of them reside. The Govern:
ment does not allow them to go North
all transportation is furnished them for
Southern points only .r.
The feeling among these men who
have battled for a cause for tour years
is unlike that which I supposed. In
stead of q determination to fight it out
to the last, there is general feeling Of
acquiesence, and all We have conversed
With admit the fatal mistake that tore
the South up root and branch, destroy.
ed their homes, social existence and
government. All firmly desire to re.
turn to their former homes and live
peacefully. In view Of the feelings ex-
pressed by these men, we believe that
tha %sFglHs e6 this B.r i8f4 gue15illa 48a
although many have prophesied such
would be the natural result of the sur.
render Of the rebel armies, we predict
such will not be the case. /.
Hundreds of citizens who fed North
and South from this place and imme-
date vicinity, have aud are returning
to assume once more the possession Of
their lands and homes. As necessary
consequence. conflicts have arisen be-
tween those who were loyal and remain
ed and the disloyal who fed from the
federal armies. The civil, and iu some
instances, the military courts, have
their hands full and the lawyers are
doing a fine business. At the out
break Of the rebellion these people at,
tempted and succeeded in driving out
the loyal people, hunting them down
and taking their stock away, coupled
with the declaration that they could
never live in this country. Now the
tables are turned, and the Union men
of this section Of the State are resolved
tho disloyal shalt not remain. Thou.
sands Of cases of damages claimed
against rebels for robbing the loyal peo.
pie have been decided and judgments
gwen, and now, al through the eoun-
try, the people who fostered and nour-
isbed the monster Of treason are paying
for it with their estates and by being
compelled to leave because Of their pov.
erty. A terrible retribution, but q
just one.
Many At the North who anticipate
coming south and engaging in bust.
ness, would do we'll to pause The
country has not been cultivated to any
extent for the past year, and owing to
the taxes and tithes exacted by the
rebel government the whole country
has been exhausted and the most dis.
tressing accounts of the utter destitu-
ton Of the people comes in from every
direction. There is nothing to eat and
no money and, as an old farmer said,
"pothing in the country to make mon
ey from" It will be some time before
the people in the South viii be in ,
position to buy the goods Of Northern
venders.
Some sections Of country have been
largely put under cultivation, particu'
larly that portion between here and
Knoxville, on the line Of the East Ten.
nessee and Virginia r. r. The sea.
son has been most promising in this
section. Everything thrives and will
yield largely, except com, which Va,
slightly injured BY the "cut-worm,' :
the ravages Of which were accelerated
by long spell Of cool weather. W.