Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-13
LErrER FROM MISSISSIPPI.

DilRpidation Of the Country from cikalona to Ma
eon-Energy of the Planters-Withdrawal of the
Troops from the State-Pernicious Influence Of
the freedmen's Bureau on the NegrOes-Loy-
atty Of the Returned Soldiers and Citizens-Gen.
Gricrson-His Slanderous Speech, Conduct Dur
ing tie War. Sc.-Improvemeuts in Columbus
Decorations II the Graves Of The Gallant Dead.
&c. sc.
Correspondence Of the Union and American.
CoLUMBUs Miss, April Sd. ls56.-IH passing
through the rich prairie country. extending from
Okalona to Macon, Mississippi, it is painful to
notice SO much land so fertile and once SO highly
cultivated, when the negroes were not freedmen,
lying idle In visiting several Of the largest plan
tations l learned that about two-thirds Of the
usual quantity Of land will be cultivated, and
about half an az erage crop Of cotton produced
The planters seem unusually energetic and con-
sider as the present crop an experiment, to give
it a thorough trial Should this experiment fail,
the condition Of the unfortunate negro race will
indeed be pitiable one, and the vituperations
and curses that they will heap upon their sOcaied
friends and deiyerers' heads (the Yankees will
surprige the natives. The negro is at last learn
ing who is his friend.
Ex-Confederates and Federas are in some in
stances planting together and seem to harmon
ize when interest Is at stake.
The freedmen as a general thing work better
for the former than the latter though the con-
trary il the case in Tennessee, where they have
almost in every instance changed hands, many
leaving the State entirely going North TO try their
fortunes. Those remaining have entered into
written contracts and receive from ten TO fifteen
dollars per month, rations, fuel and quarters fur
nishcd. Their condition is good and when they
work have no trouble.
The military has been removed from the State.
a few "Frecdmcns Bureaus" are left behind; and
it is a noticeable fact that the further you get
away from them the better and more orderly do
the negroes conduct themselves. White labor
has not been introduced into the State to any ex-
tent yet
The returned soldiers and citizens, although
they once exulted and glored in rebellion and ha-
tired for the Union. accept their fate and enter
tain no other idea than that Of being good and
loyal citizens.
Gen. GriersOn, who raided through this State
during the war, grossly slandered the people here
in recent speech. lie stated that 'the people of
Mississippi were planning rebellion instead of
planting cotton" So base, utterly false, and I'M
called for SANDER. is characteristic of the man.
This same GrieTSOn is the man who ordered the
Masonic Lodge and jewels at Verona, Miss to
be burned. and drove defenseless women and
children from their homes by applying the torch
to their houses; and who suffered his men TO in
suit and outrage the fair daughters of this State
and TO crown all, desires to disturb and insult
true and law-abiding people with slanderous cpl
thets.
Columbus is rapidly improving. and soon no
traces Of the late war will be seen. The enter
prising and energetic Messrs. w. II. & W. C.
Worthington, have revived the old columbus
Democrat" under the name of the "Mississippi
Eder." which bids fair to be one Of the finest pa
pers in the South.
The large and cOmmOdOus hall. the Gilner
House" will soon be completed. An elegant
Methodist and also Catholic Church are in process
Of completion. besides many new business houses
all Of which was interrupted in the late war.
DIR. b. +. Sarribee, former President of the
Female Institute has purchased the old Metho-
dist Church and Parsonage and will soon open a
a school to be known as the Columbus College
for Young Ladies'" From his ability and vast
experience an instructor and manager of such
institutions, we anticipate for him great success
The most severe rain and hail storm occurred
vest Orday, that has been known for twenty ye;W.
One or two houses were I, ppcd. and hundreds of
acres of cotton and corn washed and scattered in
every direction. The creeks and rivers are flooded
bridges carried away and the NJ. 4 o. X. II.
seriously damaged.
Last Wednesday very worthy and patriotic
movement was made here by the good matrons
and young ladies of this place. From previous
notice, all the ladies of Columbus assembled at
the Soldiers Cemetery, and after prayer, few
appropriate and feeling remarks were made by
Rev. DIR. Stainback, in regard to the gallant dead,
the graves of whom the immense throng had as
sembled to decorate. At the conclusion of his
remarks, the ladies repaired to the graves and
decorated them with cyergreens and flowers.
mark of their profound respect and regard for the
noble spirits who had sacrificed their lives in their
behalf. 4 society has been organized to keep the
cemetery in repair and day selected in each
year on which to meet and honor our noble dead.
There are ,i23 soldiers buried here who were
killed in battle and died during the war. This
example is a commcndable one and we hope, be
fore long. that the good people Of Tennessee will
follow it, NJ.