The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-31

ment, Including the officers of the mill
tia reserve corps reporting to the Freed
mems Commissioners, is between 1900
and 2,7O0.
Cat what points are they chiefly
Alt Richmond, Fredericksburg,
Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Bristol.
Danville, Petersburg, City Point, Nor
folk, Fortress Monroe, Yorktown and
Williamsburg. These are mostly one
and two company posts.
Q-What is the territorial extent of
your Department.
A.-The State of Virginia, with the
exception OF Alexandria, Fairfax and
Loudon counties, and tho Northern
part ofthe Shenandoah Valley.
Q.-Have you much to do with the
Freedmen's Bureau in your Depart
ment?
Al have a great deal OF business
from the Bureau, and am in constant
communication with Col. Brown, As
sistant Commissioner.
Q.-What are your means of knowl-
edge of the state of affairs in Virginia,
throughout your department.
Al do not come in direct personal
contact with the people of Virginia, or
as much as many of my subordinates
do. 1 have no social intercourse with
any except those known to be Union
people.
Q.-Why not? -
A.-They do not seek me, and 1t is
neither becoming my position as the
commanding officer OF the department,
nor consistent with my self respect, to
seek them first. My knowledge of af-
fairs is derived from the business that
comes to me officially, from the special
reports ofmy subordinatesan and from Of
fetal information, ofoccurrences which
7 fhnuea nf n
in whom have confidence. 1t is de-
rived also from what l see in the public
press OF Virginia, and from what is
brought to my attention officially and
unofficially by the Commissioner of
Freedmen'S Affairs. frequently see
citizens on official business, but not as
frequently as my ubordinates do. My
business is chiefly done on paper.
Q.=What generally is the feeling on
the part of the secession element against
Unionists, whether native Virginians
or those from other States?
Al think 1t is as hostile as it ever
has been. AS to the feeling toward the
people of the North, do not think it
has essentially changed from what it
was before and during the war. There
Is still the same hatred and the same
contempt for them.
Q.-How much social intercourse is
there between them?
Avery little, so far as my knowl-
edge goes; very little indeed.
Q.-Are you prepared to state that
is one of bitter hostility2
AL think it is.
Q.-Are Unionists secure in the enjoy
ment of their rights in the midst of a
secession community there?
Al don't think they are.
Q.-Can they safely rely on the State
Courts for Justice TO themselves and
protection to their rights?
A.-No, sir; think not.
Q.-How would itbe, for instance, in
suit between a Union man, whether
residing there or from aloyal State, and
secessionist; would you apprehend
that a jury called in the regular way in
Virginia would DO prejudiced against a
Union man?
Awhile do not know of any such
cases, such is my impression in regard
to the feelings OF secessionists toward
Union men, that think the right of the
latter, under those circumstances,
would not be secured; and know from
conversation with Union men that
such is the general impression among
them.
Q.-what do the secessionists appear
to desire7 What great object do they
have in view2
AIN the first place, having failed to
maintain their separate nationality,
they desire to keep themselves sepa-
rate people, and to prevent the nation,
by any means in their power, from be-
coming Montgomery. Second, they wish
to make treason honorable and loyalty
infamous, and to preserve, as far as
they may be able, political power.
Q.-And the great object which they
Immediately have in view is the possess
sion of political power2
A.-Yes, sir. ga.L..
Q.-How do they regard President
Johnson's liberal policy in reconstruct
ing the State, and granting pardons and
amnesties2
A.-They seem to be very much
pleased with it. They would, of course,
regard with great favor any action
tending to restore them to their former
station. 4r
Q.-Do you hear any expressions of
disloyalty among them toward Presi-
dent johnson?
Al do not.
Q.-suppose they get into favor again,
with their full representation in Con-
gress, and with a President, who, like
Mr.. Buchanan, should disayow the
right of the Government of the United
States to coerce States, and should de-
,lS.,.,- use %I,n ENrna af hn