The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-03-29
D-n old JEFF; you may haug him for

"D-n old Jen; you may hang nlm Tor
all me-"
Of course these men try to make IA.
vorable impression. They appear to be
much grati6ed at the treatment they
receive, aud say if it was known how they
were treated Lees whole army would
come over. Their officers had told them
they would be treated like dogs One
said : "The conscri pts believe them but
We old vets. know they lie like -" I
asked the South Carolina man how be
felt about what he had been doing; said
he: 81 am sorry, but did not know any
better; we have fought valiently for our
independence when we thought We ought
to have it, and | have done nothing that
| am ashamed Of
| am very much astonished at the
brightness and Intelligence of these men,
and see in their present ideas the as
surance of reunion, which no power on
earth can break. Our authorities fur
nish them with exemption papeDs from
service in our army, and free transporta-
ton to any point north or south. Some,
whose families are within or near our
lines, 60 south; Imost 60 north OF west.
They have generally obtained information
from our pickets as to the best points to
get work, aud they will be most vaIua.
BILE reinforcement upon our western farms
Since writing the foregoing, | have
seen another squad of deserters who came
in last night, and all my previous i'm
! pressons are confirmed.
found one very intelligent man from
Louisiana, with whom [ had the follow
ing talk
Q Are you conscript?
A. No, sir; volunteer very en-
phatlcally.
Q. How long since you enlisted? ?
A. Three years and ten months, and
l have fought as we'll as l could.
Q. What did you come over for
A. Because l found out what we
have been fighting for.
Q. What is it?
A. Fighting for rich mems niggers
and d-u theu, they can't humbug me.
any more.
Q, Will there be another big fight
A. Not in the field ? but they will
fight behind entertainments.
@. Why do you make the distinction?
4. Because in the field the army will
break up, but behind the lines, in the
works, there is provost guard of rich
mems sons, or men that are picked out
These have special privileges, live in
bomb-proofS, and are ordered to shoot
every man on the front line who does not
fight.
Q. What did you know about the
peace commission
A. We heard that they had gone, and
we expected them to make peace.
@ Were you disappointed?
A. Yes, indeed it broke Lees army
all up. They might have made peace,
and We knew it, although our officers
lied to us--and that is what brings SO
many over.
Q. Why don't the conscripts come ?
A, Some do, but most of them don't
know enough they tell them they will
be forced into the ranks, aud have niggers
put over them, and the new men be-
ieve it.
Q. Do you think Lee will quit Rich.
mond ?
A. Not unless he's fanked We
used to be singing out, Boys, we're
hanked," )" but the day left | heard an
order read to. shoot any man who sung
oot so.
0. Where were you stationed p?
A. In front Of Petersburg.
Q. How often did you 60 on picket ?
A. Every other night; our line was
so thin we had to.
Q. Have you got work?
A. Yes, as soon as | get out of here
the barracks in which they remain until
examined.
@ Have you been used to work?
A. Yes. My father had a small
plantation and a few niggers-just enough
to live on.
had much more talk with this man,
and all his points were agreed to by twenty
men who stood around US. All agree
that the common desire and talk in the
whole of Lees army is how to get away.
GGr President has been somewhat
criticised for going to see the Peace
Com missioners. You see how fully he
is justified, as he usually is in what he
does.
On another important point all agree,