Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-28
GENERAL LEES TEsTIMo1,v

A Clmmittee of the Rebel Senate was
engaged early in the present year in an
| INQUIRY into the condition of the Confsde-
rscy. Among the witnesses summoned
before them was General Lse, and the fol-
lowing are extracts from his testimony, on
the 24lh of January, 1865:
Question by Senator Hunter.-What is
your opinion as TO evscusting Richmond,
and Withdrawing the army to North Caro-
lina2
Auswer.-In my opinion il would be a
bad movement. The Virginia troops would
not go to North Carolina; they would go
home
Question.-Do you think we have troops
enough for the next campsign2
Answer.-IdO not. We cannot last till
midsummer.
Questi n.-What do you think of the
policy Of srming 200, 600 negroes?
Answer.-If we are to carry on the war,
that is the least Of evils; but in such an
event the negroes must have their liberty.
Qlestion.-Do you think we could sue
csed by putting the negroes in the field?
Answer.-That would depend en- cir
cumstances. We could at least carry on
the war for another year.
Question by Senator Hill--Whst is the
sentiment of the army in relation to
peace?
Answer. 1t is almost ANONYMOUS fo7,
peace. The men will fight longer if neces-
ssry, but they believe we cannot continue
the war through another campaign.
Question by Senator Grabam.-Whst is
your individual opinion on the subject of
peace?
Answer.-I think the best policy is to
make peace on the plan proposed by Mr..
Stephens. The people and the country
ought to be saved further sacrifices.
Question by Senator Walker.-f peace
be not made before Spring, will you con-
sent to take command of all the armies of
the Confederacy, with unlimited powers
Answer.-I will take any position to
which my country assigns me, and do the
best can, but do not think can save
the cause now. No human power can save
it. Had been assigned such place one
year ago, think could have made our
condition better than it now is.
Question by Senator Orr.-You think,
then, General, that the best solution of our
difficulties is to make peace on the Ste
pheus plan
Answer.-Yes, that is the best policy
now. think the Army and the people
ought to be saved, if all else is lost.
DEsERTIoNs FROM THE REBEL ARMY.
From records in the Adiutant and In
spector- Generals office it appears that from
the lst of October, 1864 to February 4,
1865, 72,000 men bad deserted from the
Confederate armies east of the Mississippi.
During Prices recent invasion of Missouri,
nearly all the Missourians in his army de-
serted, and he lost during the campaign
1880 men.
UNIoNIsTs AT THE SOUTH.
The following is list of Senators, Rep
and other public men through !
out the South, who are in favor OF recon !
struction on the bssis Of the Union and the !
Constitution:
VIRGINIA.
t Caperton, sen'r. Jhos 8. GhoIson, NJ. O.
v lillian O. Raves, NJ O. John b. Baldwin, M. q.
Ex-Gov. H.A- Wise, NC John NJ. Bolts, NJ. O.
WillismJ. Goxgin, NJ. O.
NORTH CAROLINA.
VIM. A. Graham, sen'r Wm B. Dortch, Sen'r,
Robert B. Badger, N. g. I. W. Leach. NJ. @.
Jas ". Lea h NJ. o. TC Fuller M
las. Turner, NJ C. John A. Cline, M. @.
] Rumsey, III c. ,ov. Vance.
". W. Holden, NJ. O.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Jamcs L. Orr, Senator. W. W. Boyee, N. G.
GEORGIA.
a. JOHNSON Senator. Governor BrowI.
3, B. II u atll, Senate J s. whitaker.
G ifOrd Anlerson NJ. G Judge Linton Stephens. /
J. T. shoemaker. N, g. Judge A. R. Wright.
James NJ. Smith M G. VA. Gaskill
George \; Lester, NJ. c. BIB: Wau4h.
4. P. Bell, NJ. G. Lewis Tumlin.
Warren Akin, NJ. O.
ALABAMA.
3. ", Walker, Senator. David CIoGston, NC
2obsIt JamisOn. Sen'r. Governor WGts.
Thomas j. Foster, NC. jeremiah Clemens.
". h. Smith, M o. Ex-S-na or Fitzpatrick.
Repr. set tative Parsons
MISSISSIPPI
|. W. .. Watso ,, Zen. W.D Holder. NJ O.
. A. Orr, NJ. Q Ex-Gov. Mathews.
o. R. smighton, N. @.
FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS.
Ex-senator c. @. Clsy returned lately
rom his mis- SIGN to England, with intelli-
ence that his efforts were a complete fall
re. England would have nothing to do
With the COnfederacy.
TIE PEACE CONFERENCE.
On Monday, Feb.6, after the Peace Com
nissioners had returned from Fortress
lonroe, Senator johnson, of Georgia, WIS.,
go Mr.. Jefferson Davis, and held a con- 5
ersation with him, of which the following {
the substance, as subsequently, reported t
y Mr.. johnson:
Senator Johnson-Well, Mr.. Davis, your j
esce mission has failed?
DaVis-Yes; knew it would. And 1
ope now the reconstruetionists will fight
lincoln instead of fighting me.
Johnson-But Mr.. Lincoln, it seems, 9
as not opposed to making peace with the
tstes. He only refused to recognize the :
onfed crate Government.
DaYis-H'm, HIN, HIM.
Johnson-I see, Mr.. Davis, that YOU
ave withdrawn all the troops from Geor-
ia into Carolina and Virginia. What are
le people OF Georgia to do for protection oi
Dayis-The people of Georgia have fol- Z
wed the eounsels of Governor Brown r.
Id Mr.. Stephens, and they must now pro-
ct themselves. !,
Johnson-Very well, Mr. Fresi lent, if 5
u can do without the people of Georgis. io
g people Of Georgia can do without you,