The Daily Dispatch: January 28, 1865., [Electronic resource]

The Army of Northern Virginia.

‘ "The army are equally devoted to the rebel Government. What may be their feelings toward Davis personally, we have no means of knowing; though, undoubtedly, Lee could do with the Army of Virginia whatever he chose. But they are now a lawless, bold, desperate body of soldiery. The most of them have lost home, or negroes, or land, or friends, in this stubbornly-contested cause; they are cared for and fed by the rebel authorities, at least better than the civilians can take care of themselves; they consider their property (if they ever had any) forfeited by the rebellion; they have no home to return to; they have lost the bonds of civil life and are thoroughly soldiers, living entirely for the present moment, and devoted to their general, and always ready to obey his orders. General Lee can do with them just what he chooses; if he wishes to fight to the last ditch, they will probably fight with him. If Lee and Davis agree, the army will very probably continue still to be the powerful military weapon in the hands of the Southern Despotism that it has been from the beginning. And that these two desperate and able chieftains have any thought of peace, we have not the least evidence. "

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