_Feb. 28._--As I pass'd the military headquarters of the city, not far
from the President's house, I stopt to interview some of the crowd of
escapees who were lounging there. In appearance they were the same as
previously mention'd. Two of them, one about 17, and the other perhaps
25 or '6, I talk'd with some time. They were from North Carolina, born
and rais'd there, and had folks there. The elder had been in the rebel
service four years. He was first conscripted for two years. He was
then kept arbitrarily in the ranks. This is the case with a large
proportion of the secession army. There was nothing downcast in these
young men's manners; the younger had been soldiering about a year; he
was conscripted; there were six brothers (all the boys of the family)
in the army, part of them as conscripts, part as volunteers; three had
been kill'd; one had escaped about four months ago, and now this
one had got away; he was a pleasant and well-talking lad, with the
peculiar North Carolina idiom (not at all disagreeable to my ears.) He
and the elder one were of the same company, and escaped together--and
wish'd to remain together. They thought of getting transportation away
to Missouri, and working there; but were not sure it was judicious. I
advised them rather to go to some of the directly northern States, and
get farm work for the present. The younger had made six dollars on the
boat, with some tobacco he brought; he had three and a half left. The
elder had nothing; I gave him a trifle.
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