The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-01-17
RESOURCES OF THE coNFEDERACY

RESOURCES OF THE CoNFEDERACY.
The Richmond Wing recently published two ex-
cellent articles upon the "Physicai Resources OF
the Confederacy," and 'sThe Situation, Past and
/ Present AS they seem to be the result OF pro-
found study, and are very encouraging, we give a
summary of their contents. The belief has been
very widely entertained that the arms bearing pop
ulaiion of the Copfederacy is exhausted. This
| belief-common to us and the Yankees-has had
the effect of depressing people and stimulating
the Yankees 1t is utterly erroneous. The ma
terals of which armies are composed, exist around
/ US in sufficient numbers not only to keep up our
force to its present standard but to enlarge it be-
yond what it has ever been. This is proved by
pairing data derived from the statistics afforded
by the census of 1860, with estimate of losses
and diminution of resources sufficiently large to
cover all decrease in the supply Of arms bearing
men. The white male population of all the Con-
federacy, leaving out Kentucky and Missouri, was,
| in 1860, fraction less than 2,S00,00O Of this
male population, fraction less than 100000
were between the ages Of II and so. The persons
who arrived at the age Of II since 1860, are COM
puted at a fraction above $50 ,O00-a moderate
computation, we think Add these numbers
together and we have in round. numbers $3.50, 900
| fighting men. Allowing 900 for the average
natural mortality of four years, and still have
100000. But great deal of the Confederacy is
in the hands Of the enemy. 1t is computed that
this occupation depriyes Of 100000 men Qn
round numbers) between the ages o. IL and Oh.
These are to be deducted, and they leave 100000
say in round numbers, 100000. IF these are
underestimate, they may be supplied by troops
from Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland, and
refugees from those portions of the other States
| under Yankee domination.
farther deduction must be made for the casual
ties that have resulted either in death disability.
This is done by estimating the losses in General
Lees army for the past year. Putting it at 5000
which is greatly above the tIuth-and allowing
5000 for dead ano 1000 for permanently disabled,
we have 1O, 900 for that army. Making the same
allowance for the army Of Tennessee we have
10000 for the two armies. 1t is fair TO make the
same allowance for all the rest of the Forces SO that
the entire disabling casualties amount to 10000.
TO these add fifty per cent for mortality peculiar
to camps-45, 900. The whole loss, then, may be
computed at 5000 men for this year. But it has
been much heavier this year than it was during
the other three years of the 1t is fair to say
that il 1861, when there was little fighting, the
I loss was 10000; in 1862 and 1868, 10000 each
so that the whole loss from disease and battle
has been 225, 600. Add to this $4,000 for pris-
oners. Total 1885, 900. Take this 100000, and
We have so5 900. Allowing 10000 for exempts
and details, and there is still aighting population
| of 1885, 600 men! Allowing oro out of every three
for details, and we still have 100000 men; more
than the Yankees ever had, and enough, if en-
bodied, to drive every Yankee out of the country
in three months, and keep them out. We have
| not followed the numbers Of author fully, be-
cause he aimssat exactness, while only round
numbers.
Such we believe to be very nearly a true state
ment There can be but one thing wanted to Sc
cure uDdoubted success. That one thing is the
spirit of the people. IF they will use the advan-
tages they have, their triumph is certain But if
the spirit is gone; ten millions of soldiers, earned
all in proof" will do no god We are pretty con-
fdcnt that that time has net arrived yet. Look
ing at the actual situation, are far from being
discouraged We held a this moment far more
territory than we did thu time last ycar-a proof
that, upon summing up The whole, the campaign
has been greatly in our favor. At the opening of
the last campaign, Grant invaded US with army
so large that the Yankees thought he had nothing
to do but to march into Richmond Sherman had
the command at Dalton, bad was to advance Victo-
riously to the gulf or OCT d. finally subdung every
foot of ground as he pass d over it. The whole OF
North Alabama and the whole of Tennessee were
in the possession of the Yankees Across the
Mississippi, Price had been driven to Camden;
Arkansas and Louisiana were believed to be con-
quered; and in Texas, they held possession OF the
lower valley of the Rio Grande. How is it now
Grant lies inactive-arparently unable to move
after having lost in his Virginia operations 100000
men; about 1900 npre than bis original army
consisted Of Sherman has marched through
Georgia and left the whole country open behind
him The enemy has been entirely expelled from
Alabama, and almost entirely from Mississippi
Arkansas, with the exception of very small por
tion has been regained, and the Confederate flag,
except at New Orleans and along the river banks,
floats over the whole 81 Mississippi. The Yankees
hold no part of Texas except Brazos Santiago
Even after the defeat of Hood-the only material
disaster we have sufffred-our armies are stronger
in proportion to thost of the enemy than they were
this time last year.