March 22, 1863, The New York Herald
In a Richmond paper of the 17th instant we find sixteen advertisements for substitutes, with the condition generally attached that he must be over forty-five years of age, which shows that the population of the regular military age, between eighteen and forty-five, must be exhausted, and that the rebellion is on its last legs, when it must resort to old men to fight its battles. To show the pressure that exists, we may state that in nearly all the advertisements “a liberal price” is offered, while in one the specific sum of $1,000 is held out, with the remark that “a bugler is preferred,” and the man must be of […..] and industrious habits.” In another advertisement the sum of $400 is offered as a reward for the arrest of a substitute who deserted after getting his pay. We are told he is “Canadian by birth.” All these are indications of the terrible straits to which the chiefs of the Southern insurrection are now reduced. Their men are exhausted. Their money has become almost worthless, being four or five hundred per cent below the par standard of gold. One vigorous effort now, and the rebellion is forever laid low.