New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-07

entirely indedendent fr0mtaoh otherf A. yes Slr
O. So far IA YOU informed, what are the nature
and objects of this organization A to embarrsss the
Government Of the United States in the proper admin
stration of the affairs of the country by endeayorng
or making strong efforts 10 gain very important con
cessons to the people Of the South if possible to repu
date the national debt Incurred IN consequence OF the
Rebellion or to gain such an ascendenoy IN Congress
Us to make provision for the assumption by congress OF
the debt incurred by the Rebel Government and also
in case the United States Government can be involved
In foreign war; to watch their opportunity and take
advantage OF the first that occurs 70 strike Tor the indie
pcndence OF the States lately 10 rebellion.
! y Do you know Of any persons OF influence being
implicated In this movement A. AS yet have not
ascerained that any persons OF influence are imph-
Gated in it, and will further state, IN justice to the
people Of the South, that L know OF some men VINO
prominent in the Rebel army, who, believe, are
honestly irving 10 become good citizens Of the United
States They have been psroled by military authority
have applied TO the President for pardon. and are
awaiting his decision. They have set themselves TO
work quietly honest livelihood IN some prac-
tical and peaceful manner, thereby setting good
example to other people Of the South.
Gen, B. H. Grierson e1amined By Mr. BOuweH, testified
] have been employed in Missouri, Kentucky. Tonnes
see Mississippi Louisiana and Alabama about the
time of Lees surrender, started, with 5000 cavalry
on an expedition across the State of Alabama; from
Mobile marched into Georgia, via Greensville and
Eutaula Ala, where l was stopped by of the
armisce between Gen. Sherman and Gen. Johnston;
upon the receipt of official information of Johnstons
surrender. moved with my command TO Montgomery
Ala and after T6yOrS surrender marched rom there
TO Columbus Miss, distance altogether Of about 700
miles l think mad good opportunities judge of the
people Of the South correctly at that time and since
A short time after my arrival at Columbus, Miss,
was ordered 10 New Orleans TO organize force for
Texas About the time ! was ready the Rebels sur
rendered that also. / then solicited order TO 90
home as the over, and / was afterward
ordered TO return TO Alabama. / reported
10 Gen Wood. commanding the Department OF
Alabama, on the 10th OF September and was
placed IN command of the district Of Huntsville re-
NAMED command until the 18th Of January 1866 and
did not leave Alabama until about the LIST Of February
tie time Of the surrender of Lee and Johnston my
impression Of the people there was that they were VIII
ing accept almost any terms which might be granted
them by the Government. There appeared TO be great
fear manifested by them that all their property would
be conscated. and that possibly they wonld not be
allowed TO remain In tic country That appeared
TO be tie feeling among wealthy and influential
classes. think at that time they would have been
willing 20 accep, any terms granted TO them But they
have grown from time 20 time, more exacting in their
demands Many Of them had the appearance at hrsi oi
accepting the situation, and OF being wiling to hbide
the result This particularly the case with private
soldiers and the poorer Of the South. There
were course hut few Of the Weather classes who
felt very bitter and talked good deal about leaving the
south entirely and about moi being wiling to remain
there offering 10 sell their property nj reduced prices
think that instead OF growing more willing 10 accept
the situation they showing more Intense feeling
of bitterness toward the Government. speak OF lead
ing men more particularly. They do not appear to
think that they have done anything wrong. ILelr Only
regret seems 10 be that they had not means TO
carry ont their designs. and tAis feeling OF
hostility governs the mojority At the time
the appointment OF civil officers great many OF those
who hnd served durlg the Rebellion were rcappOiuted
There was hardly loyal MIN appointed 10 any civil
Office | do not know one NO was That Of course
indicates the feeling of the people. Then previous 10
an election officers stationed 81 different points
to administer the amnesty onth, but great many
would not take II voted at tie election without re-
gard 10 IT, IL many Of tLt counties their votes were
taken without question. Al who were elected were,
so far as know men who had sympathized with the Re
beon: many OF them had been in the Rebel army and
bitter in their feelings against the United States
Government
O. 10 what do Won attribute the change o. sentiment
between the time of Lees surrender and later Oh a.
That would be only matter Of opinions think II the
disoya had been dealt with more severely there would
have been less dissatisfaction and loyalty II the
South TO-DAY; their demands have steadily increased;
al the time / left thew complained that
their Congressmen not admitted. and they seemed
think that on that account they were an injured PEG
pie. think that every Congressman elected IN the
State Of Alabama elected by reason OF his devotion
70 the Of the Rebellion. Some of them served al
Richmond as ngrcssmen and others as officers 10 TIE
Rebel army but IN no case that ! know Of wat loyal
man elected The truly loyal people Of Alabama do not
wish tie present elected COugressuea and SeIatofs
from that State admitted into Congress.
q. DO you know anything OF secret organilatons
among the Rebels, 4. | have carefully stunned and
considered that matter. and from many things that
have noticed. there j. L general muimufIng IN tne
South and great anxiety 70 organize the militia and
N Get rid OF tie army and the Freedmens
Bureau; / think there such organizations;
OF course only give my opinion on that subject from
everything could learn, and from studying southern
people do not think would be wise to withdraw 'he
military aud ITeedmeus bureau; u Would result ~
great iniustice anl Injury the co.orcd people ana
also 10 the poorer classes II the whites ana al IOyh
white men q! the south 49,
O. DO you know whether there is any expectation on
the mari Of the people ia TIA, section Of country that
tLey are 10 be c0mpensnca IN any way Tor the! SAVES
or ior other losses Incurred during war a Ice sii
there Is great feeling OF that KIM; theY seem
TO think that their property has been
stolen From them by Government they 90
rrt accent the condition OF Freedmen. In many phocs
-, .., 1
unpres being forced % cal their Ormer owners Maaiers
a. beretoore sud OF their beng tod tibt wien troops
were removed tucy would again be forced into slavery
tint they would be Just az much slaves as ever
q So far az YOU Law observed. wnat j. the dlspOsl
ton o. the negroes m regard 90 WORK. II tAcy are prop
cr.v paid a. / have been very egreeuby dlsal
p,lrtcd IN regard to tha'. ! found negroes mucn
,,otc willing 10 work and less disposed
20 denond upon the AID Of the Government than had
sqpoed they would be. have been surprised 10 see
zen 20 b. WO.k ~ freely ana cBeeriuAy Gla DOt tx
rt that the whole system Of labor could be changed at
once as 10 were aud have 20 few evil results ieAred
that very large number Of negroes would have 10 De
fed and supported long time Dy Government but per
ceviof their anxiety get work aud their Wiling ness
70 vork for those who they think VIII pay Them
piompr have changed ny mind entirely IN regard 10
that matter. ..,,, H.
O Isl, your opinion that negroes II they hnd far
caancc Will be a selrsupPorins peopef A. res on,
u what is their disposition ~ regard To euucnllOh
They ere maniestDg wonderful desire 70 lehTh 10
read they have scarcely Leisure inomeh, lns, you
cannot see diem with books in their hands learning 10
rea6-paftcularly those who have been toidlefs OF
( HeryOuts $780,. d,
o. lave you any apprehension that the influence OF
negroes whether they not permitted 10 'Oe
would be thrown Against the GoveIpueht, uhu9r nn}
clrcu,pstapcesf A. Never, sir. in M opinion thnk
they aye true During ny whole service In the army
have never vet found negro who was not true 10 tbe
country They were always ready ana Wiling 70 CIV,
Information cheeriuIyi many umes 'hIo'naNoh VI
great value TO the service. 80.
q. DO they understand generally tie nature OF the
controversies in their leading particulars between Noftn
] w IN hive manifested a great