The New York herald., 1865-03-11
The Soldiers Proclaim the Con-
federacy "Gone Up"
The Rebel General LOngstreet Pro-
poses to Exchange Deserters.
Our Correspondence on the Subject from ali
Parts Of the Scene Of War,
&c, &C., DC.


effect upon the troops that remain. The harmony OF
thought and action which seemingly characterized at
least the earlier period Of the rebellion has been merely
tho result Of stern discipline fear The cause has
never been without dsproporonate number OF dcser
tions; but by rigid and prompt punishment by their ON
GERS It's increase was greatly checked The past year.
however, has presented different picture Lieutenant
General Grant estimates the desertons alone from the
enemy since May, 1864, at seventeen thousand. This
was during year Of activity when rapid marches
and frequent battles had the effect Of nfusng en-
thusiasm and hope into the ukewarm and de-
spending. They now, however, find themselves in
nntely worse OF despite their desperation The tight
grasp Lieutenant General Grant has maintained upon
Richmond the fall Of Atlanta, almost Immediately fol-
lowed by the capture Of Savannah the annhilaton
Of Hood in Tennessee the cleaning out OF the valley OF
the Shenandoah the destruction Of the salt works OF
Southwestern Virginia. the capture Of the defcnces Of
Cape Fear river and Wilmington itself; the occupation
Of Charleston the possession control Of the entire
Atlantic and Gulf coast New Orleans Sherman glo
rious march Of conquest and subugaon and other i'm
pending and cooperating campaigns east west and
south, have particularly recently had very anti be
cose erect upon the rank and file Of the rebel armies
Next to decisive defeat nothing weakens the morale
OF an army as constant retreat; and, unless the
organization Is most perfect, troops will under
such circumstances, long hold together The multi
tude OF the enemy has sustained during
the past year proves this; but what have already
is but fraction Of the dropping away OF ndi-
vdual soldiers, squads and companies which will neva.
bly, far greater numbers the present tendency
OF things We may not be surprised IL before long
hear Of desertons by bataons by regiments and per-
haps by brigades. The enemy is busy looking
after his lines Of retreat lines of communication and
lines Of supplies that he has little time preserve and
enforce discipline. As the learn this with
certainty will greater results
In order TO show tho increasing prevalence Of
tions publish below small number Of from
correspondence from all points Of the theatre
of war
pEsERrIox RrsrL AZ RICHMOND AND
PYrI:eBURG.
Our City Point correspondence of February 70
says
anxiety the army The robel desertions lines
have been large enough to eycite the asonishmsnt Of
versaly discouraged dishearened by shermans
cesses In South Carolina and all bore unanimous
mony to the privatons and sucrings endured by the
troops defending Richmond aud Petersburg
During the winter large proportion Of the desorters
came into our lines north Of the James river; but for
month past the preponderance has been largely in favor
OF the Petersburg front On Friday the total received
numbered hundred and ninety. Vest rday ninety
seven came into General Meades lines and thirty into
General Ords Among tho former wcro many South
Carolinian5. Instances Of the good effect OF General
Grants order promising employment and pay for horses
and mules brought 10 such as really desert from tho
rebel service, are frequent and striking.
During recent trip Of the rebel iag Of truce beat
used 70 carry prisoners from Richmond 10 Aiken's
Landing he sergeant OF the guard told one OF pris
condonally that hts company had concluded
to desert and that before ton days twothrds of them
would be with VS. and the balance At home
Dav before yesterday dcserer came into General
Ord headquarters who had been to Richmond By
us as an exchanged prisoner bnt three days before
Yesterday squad who stated that thgy dtR-
cuscd deseriing in front duty In the pre-
sence Of a liertcnant commanding and watched his
countcnance narrowly to observe the effect of their
words. He grnned occasionally and when they made
fsint q starting significantly shut his eyes Theroupon
they all waked away deliberately and arc expecting the
lieutenant daily. Thus 1t goes Such decentralization
never known in an army before
special correspondent at tho headquarters Of the
Army Of tho Potomac, Petersburg in a letter
dated March o, states:--
During the last two or three nights the weather has
been beautifully clear and the has shone brightly
These circumstances have somewhat checked the ide
rebel dcserton that OF late been setting strongly
northward But this fact does not wholly defeat the
efforts OF the refugees TO eude The vigilance of their
guards More than dozen deserters our lines
yesterday and during the night They report that u
large body of their quondam comrades are only awaiting
auspic0gs weather TO follow their example
From the sAne headquarters under date Of March 3,
we learn
Dcser,ers continue to come into lines in large mum
bcrs hysx having arrived today. nearly all bringing
The number of uske,s received from dcscrters since
February y IL two hundred and forty ali Of them in
good condition.
Our correspondent with the Second corps under date
Of February -, says
Among the srters WHO came into our lines even.
ing oflicer-a first lieutenant He fully confirmed
the stories Of the decentralization Of the rebel army
and expressed the opinion that should the armies
in the position which they occupy for
three months longer, and without firing shot, the days
obtaining supplies and the encouragement and deseron
Of the He took the oath of allegiance and will be
sent North
The same says in a letter OF March 2:-
The dark nights are very favorable for the descrters
from the rebel ranks fifteen Of whom reached these
headquarters prior to nine o'clock this evening while
occasional shots on the picket line heard as write IN
dCate that others performing the perilous journey
Our picket ncs are but short distance from the enc
my's, otentimes in plain sight, and yet II is difficult
for person unaccsomcd to seeing and convcrsing with
dessrteps appreciate the forude and
required TO travel from the TO the other. II is
frequently made the subject Of anxious thought for
weeks prior to the attempt Every opportunity Is
eagerly sought 70 study and become acquainted with
the positon OF our lines TO prevent becoming be-
wildered In the dark and when at last the hour for
the effort arrives, with stea.hy step and anxious heart
the deserterwesry Of hghting in cause which he has
20 believe utterly hopeless weary Of his rags and
first post OF danger and then on stumbling through the
black darkness expecting each moment TO hear the
crack Of the rife and the whr OF the ball crouching
behind stump and straning hts catch the repe
tton OF sound which has startled him. plunsine
into filthy, slimy pool, with which the woods IN
this vicinity abound and laying therc In the dark treez
ing until sacd that the from his fall has
attracted attention, from habit and hope Of the pro-
missed reward clingng 10 his muske and sccourenents
through all-and 10 he until with audiences
which his heart TO leap 70 his throat he hears the
challenge which be had forgotten to expect, Who goes
tbere?n and in . moment afterwards be Ia beside the
camp 1re Of his old cncy eating with greater sagef
ness than has been profered him the never stinted
raiions of Uncle Sam, though detained little time al the
picket line and at division headquarer 10 which latter
place thcy first sent That unsettled, nervous dir
which follows upon the escape from great and well ap
prvcated danger Ia observable IN many deserters upon
their arrival al the headquarters OF the corps
Our correspondent with the Fifth corps under date Of
March I, says;
Deserers continue To come In. Their number is daily
increasing The pickets doing brisk business n cd
mitting these refugees from a hopeless cause.
Our correspondent with the sixth corps under date Of
March 1, says
Major Milne, Corps Provost Marshal gave twelve re-
ceipH lest night and received twelve desercrs In cx
change therefor From their statements II s apparent
that Lee IA hring the Southern hcart with alcohol