Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-03
LETTER FROM THE SOUTH WEST.

TALK WITH CONFEDERATE SoLDIER-NAsH-
VILE CApIroL-CoRINTH-RE OF THE
WAR-CoTToS AND TEAMs-HoLLY
SpRINGs-NEAR VIoKsBURG-JACKsoN-
BITTER FEELING BUT READY TO FIGHT SPAIN
The COUNTRY TO New ORLEANS.
New ORLEANS, DEC. 22d, 1873.
To the Editor of the Journal:
The trip from Bowling green to Nashville
is through a region that has no special inter-
est to the traveller, yet in this region during
the war were many of the movements of the
armies executed. On the road, our compan-
ion in the same seat was a graduate of
southern institution, since the war, and
teacher, nan who had served in the Con-
federate army, and who like most southern
soldiers have met, was frank enough to say
that he accepted the situation. 81 have had
enoughsof war, we have all had enough, and
the great duty and object now is to heal the
wounds, and to make the country what it
should be in growth and prosperity" ave
should be less than human if we could forget
the friendships we made amid the sacrifices
and suffsrings of war" and yet, he said
sadly, "they call US traitors because we had a
reunion Of our old regiment, so that we might
meet our old comrades" ~ am sure" con-
tinued he, "there was no politics in it. and no
wish but for pleasant, social interview of
men who had fought and suffered together"
l went by the courtesy of colored porter
to the top of the Capitol building at Nashville,
and had there a very fine view of the city and
of the hills where the battle of Nashville was
fought, just outside the city. l met the Sup
erintendent of Public Buildings, and could
not help comparing the ready courtesy with
whicE strangers are met and shown about
the Capitol of Maine, with the entire indie
pendence, the management of this officer of
the State Of Tennessee. In the library we
found several curiosities and pictures, among
the former the Rife of Daniel Boone, the
Pioneer. / suppose it is the real gun, though
1t is often the case, as with the wood of the
true cross, that valuable relics have a won
derful power of multiplication, and are found
at various points by the traveller, when they
should be at but one, according to any known
principle of philosophy. The rooms are well
arranged, and the pictures of several
public men, especially such as have been
prominent since tHe WAT, duOrH the Wills ana
alcoves. From Nashville we crossed to Guth-
rie Junction at night, and reached Jackson,
Tennessee, early for breakfast. On the way
the conductor who had been confederate
officer, entertained US with story of the day
before, when he had met a conductor from
the north with papers and passes, going south
for the winter. 81 took him to dinner with
me and" said he, eve found on comparing
notes that we had been opposed to each 9TH
or. and, stranger still, that he made me his
prisoner on enc occasion" "He used me like
man." said he, sand you may be sure was
glad to see him." From Jackson l reached
Corinth by freight train, which runs here
with the utmost irregularity-in fact the con
ductors have their rooms on the trains and go
as they please or await orders. 1t may be
| satisfactory to the Southern people, but a
little extra energy would seem to be well ex-
pended here. At Corinth, as everywhere
here now, cotton fills the market places,
| these generally being the central squares of
the town, and filled during the day with all
| sorts of vehicles, with oxen yoked in pairs, or
harnessed single, mules in double teams or
| tandem, with loads from one to ten bales, and
| drivers of all colors, from the shining black
| OF the full negro, to the white of the planter,
who has begun TO work with his own hands.
each mounted on the load with long whip,