Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-03-14

IL 81 si y ~ - = g +
TESTIMONY or JOHN uovpDE.
80 @. Have you been in the State Of
Louisiana at any time since the sur
render of The rebel armies; II so in what
capacity did you go 2 Ga iA&t1
A. was there in-June or July last; ;
il being impfaeticafle to give me spe-
ci6c instructions, everything was left 10
my discrefionI htIfC 8.aI
Q. Confning your answers mainly
TO Louisiana, state fully and Ia detail
whattyou learned in regard to the tenn.
per, spirit and disposition of the people3
Among politicians and others
who bad remained at home, more es-
pecially among the. female portion of the
population, ] found q very bitter feeling
toward the GoVefEimeut of the United
States; many Of. the weahhier planters
had deaermined 40 leave the country,
believing that they would have no power
OF part in the affairs of the Government,
also believing that the Government
would lay . heavy hand on those who
had carried on the rebellion; on the
ether hand, Ismingied considerably with
1the army Of Kirby Smith that had just
previously surrendered, Prices COM
mand, and other portions Of Kirby
Smiths army, to the number of several
thousand. I was careful to ascertain
Tho temper Of the conversation with pri-
vate Roldiersi.I was surprised to- find
how sabmissive they were. In no single
instance did hear any bitter or nnkind
feeling EXPRESSED toward the Govern-
msnt The general expression among
them was that they were we'll whipped;
that they we're glad ihe war Was over, and
yweresreadyso submit to what was tre-
quirsd offhem. Many esid their lead
ers had made q, great mistake in. going
into rebellion RgAipst the Government;
that they should have remaihedf i'm the
Union and endeaE0red to accomplish
their purposes by political measures, ia
which ethey said they could have been
ssnrezof the aid of Northern Democrats.
To all appearance .1e men Of the army
had not the femotest expectations of be-
ing again intrusted vita political power
or privileges AT least for some time;
thissd found to be the case until I
reached New Orleans, to which place
q great many Of the army officers also
went ~ H NE#M@% ENAE
O. Hew long was Il after you left
Washington you reached New OrIeans2
= a. About three weeks, should think.
] will add that l was surprised at finding
what / may call the "home sentiment"
and especially the sentiment of the fe.
male portion OF the population, TO be so
differeht from Che sentiment Of the army.
just previous to my arrival at New Or
leans, Governor Wells, of Louisiana, re-
turned there from Washington: after his
return a publie meeting was called,
which, II was understood, he would adj
dress; the meeting was consequently
very largely attended A DR.. Cottman,
.aman of some influence, who had been
very conspicuous in the secession move.
ment, and Mayor Kennedy, of New Or.
leans, had been with Governor Wells al
Washington. The rebel element seemed
to receive a great deal Of encourage.
sn1ent from reports Of Intentions of Gov.
eminent which these men brought back
Gov Wells made speech, which was
published in the New Orleans papers a,
the time. He stated that he had seer
the President, who was q Southern mar
and q Democrat, and that Mr. Johnsof
would be bulwark between the Soutl
and Northern fanafieism !; he made Oner
issue against the former administrator
ofMr Lincoln, charging it with the con
traction Of an enormous debt, ETC., an,
claiming that the administration of Mr.
Johnson would be of q very diHeren
chara6taf, while this encouraged th
rebel element, il equally discourage
tbs loyal element OF that StateGfit wa
the fret clear demonstration the Hnio
men had received that the Governor ha
betrayed them, ard i completely dis