The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-10-17

hSr country, Mrs. Grundy teeIS warm
interest in the condition and prospects of
the Southern States. She has, therefore,
engaged a Reliable Gentleman, at q great
expense, to travel through the South, for
the purpose of furnishing her with a true
statement of the actual situation of
affairs there at the present time. The
first letter of this correspondent is pro-
sented herewith
| LATE SOUTHERN CoNFEDERACY,
August %, 1865.
Mrs. Grtndy-I reached this place yes
terday morning, after a long and tedious
| trip over the North side Railway Sher-
man totally destroyed all the railways in
the South, and, as no repairs have yet
| been made, the trains, of course, run at
very slow rate. 1t gives me great plea
sure to commend the officers of this ex-
cellent road (who, by the way, gave me a
pass. In point of speed, comfort, and
safety, it is ndsubtcdly the first in the
world.
| met Southern planter on the train,
and asked him how he felt towards our
Government. He replied: Stranger,
you'd better speak when you're spoken
to, reckon" His reply furnishes a
good specimen of the present excellent
feeling in the South. The same hearty
love for the old Union seems everywhere
to prevail. Every one desires to be recon
structed. The very children, who from
the fence tops watched our rapid train,
cried out to be reconstructed.
Sherman has destroyed all the fences
in this region, and it is feared they will
never grow again unless Vigorous meas.
ures be taken.
The negroes seem we'll satisfied with
~ "a al - L..
body. A deep feeling OF unrest peIvades
them. Though mutinous and hostile to
the whites, they yet love their former
masters, and reverence the Federal sol
diers SIS their deliverers. This state of
things give great hopes of a speedy so.
luton Of the slavery question, now hap
PLY forever laid at rest. .
All the negroes in this section ran off
with Sherman's army
The people of the South are in the
possession of all the luxuries Of life.
Sherman destroyed all the provisions and
crops of the South, and now stan walton
stares the people in the face. A beauti-
full young lady, of the very first families,
and the daughter of several of the lead.
ing Southern Statesmen, came into the
car near one of the capital cities Of the
South, and piteously asked me for money
10 Duy d WdLeFIdil. III makes the heat
bleed 10 see such restitution.
The hatred of the Southern people for
Davis is someth 'ng unheard of in 8
known and much thought Of | learn
that it is his intention to become a tobac.
co merchant. The State of Virginia is
about to contract loan, in order to fur
nish her distinguished son with the
means of opening a tobacco stand on the
Richmond steamboat wharf. a g.
Henry A. Wise is about to earn an hon
est living as an organ grinder. He has
advertised for monkey to collect pen
MES from the pathizing public. John
Mitchell, it is bell, we'd, tried 10 secure
the position, but was not considered to
be sufficiently trustworthy.
The Southern soldiers and officers have
from the very first, been strong, out
spoken Union men. AS an instance of
this, | will relate conversation had
yesterday with late major in the Con.
tederate service. | asked him what his
sentiments were. He replied, with manly
frankness, 'that he should prefer brandy
cock tail, but as that was unattainable he
would take Bourbon straight" When
even rebel officers feel in this way towards
the old Union, the day of reconstruction
is more or less near.
am ST. ying at the Spotted Hotel.
Sherman burnt the hotel during his grand
march, and hence the rooms are small
and uncomfortable. The table, too. pre-
sents terrible proof of the horrors of
war. 1t Is cut IN many places with pen
knives, and the awful, shudderinC stain
Of beer mugs dim its polished brightness.
[ noticed in the dining room pleasing
evidence that we are yet one people. A
portrait Of the Father of his Country-I
refer to the late G.. Neutrality-suspicious.
from the wall The name of Gen. w. has
been obliterated and that of Judah P.
Benjamin substituted. This incident
affords touching proof that we are all
IF the same blood in the end.
From here propose to 60 next to some
ther place. ! will send you letter from
here. As the only method Of Communi-
;ation in the South is by horseback ex.
press, it is doubtful when my next letter
will reach you.
Sherman carried off all the horses in
he South.