Shortly before 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon a special train arrived
at the Camden Station, from Sandy Hook, near Harper’s Ferry, having
on board 236 Confederate prisoners, said to have been captured in and
about Winchester, Va., in charge of company B, 4th Ohio regiment,
Captain Bourning.
No notice had been given that the prisoners were expected, and the
fact was not generally known, but immediately upon the arrival of
the train, and in fact before it had fairly entered the depot, the
news became circulated, and spread like wildfire. The crowd around
the depot rapidly increased, and in a very short time the train was
completely surrounded by persons all anxious to catch a glimpse of the
strangers; some out of morbid curiosity, but a majority being desirous
of grasping them by the hands, or searching among the crowd for some
familiar face.
Leaving the depot, they filed into Howard street, and took up the
line of march to the quarters provided for them, at the City Hall. As
they passed up Howard street, the passers-by thronged the sidewalks
and street corners, and the ladies, with that independence which
characterizes the Baltimore ladies, waved their handkerchiefs to the
prisoners, which was politely acknowledged by them, and many raised
their hats and returned the salutation with beaming faces and smiles
of heartfelt thanks for the sympathy expressed.
The demand for cakes, apples, refreshments, and everything in the
shape of edibles, was astonishing. In a very few minutes the entire
stock on hand about the depot was bought up by those assembled, who
distributed them freely among the unfortunate soldiers.
A large force of police soon arrived in charge of Marshal James L.
McPhail, and the crowd was forced back from the cars to enable them to
disembark. They were formed in line two abreast, the Federal soldiers
and the police flanking them upon either side. As they passed out of
the depot, the multitude, which had increased to several thousand,
pressed forward, and shook hands with many of them, expressing
sympathy for them in their misfortune.
Many of the dwellings along the route presented a lively appearance,
as the windows were occupied by men, women, and children, many of
them waving hats and handkerchiefs; others, however, gave vent to
their feelings by hooting, hissing, and giving vent to all sorts of
disapprobation; some exclaiming, “There’s a specimen of your Southern
chivalry;” “Oh, what a set of ragamuffins,” &c. The prisoners looked
defiance at them, however, and treated all such, who so expressed
themselves, with the utmost contempt.
Passing into Madison street, they proceeded towards the jail, followed
by an immense crowd. When near the jail building, a citizen living
in the vicinity appeared at his window, with several children, who
shouted vociferously for Jeff. Davis, whereupon several of the
prisoners turned towards them, and became so excited as to take up the
shout, and, despite the presence of the armed guard, cheered for Jeff.
Davis with a hearty good will, raising their caps to those in the
windows.
The crowd caught the infection, and shouts of “Go it boys; them’s my
sentiments;” “We ain’t all Yankees here, nary a time;” “We’re with you
if we had a chance;” and similar exclamations were heard. Arriving at
the jail gate, the crowd made another rush to get an opportunity to
shake hands, but were pressed back, and the prisoners were marched
inside the jail building and delivered over to Captain James, who
provided them with quarters in the northern corridor of the building.
The outside gate was soon besieged by a large number of people, all
claiming the right to enter upon various pretexts. Quite a number did
obtain ingress, and conversed freely with the prisoners, who seemed
quite communicative and gratified at the attention paid to them.
A majority of them are very young men and are very intelligent. A
great many present the appearance of being farmers and laborers, many
of whom state that they were only “Home Guards,” and not attached to
the regular army, and were captured at their homes, and not in the
battle at Winchester. Of this, however, we know nothing, except that
the Federals claim them as prisoners of war. They are nearly all from
the neighborhood of Staunton, Va. So far as we have been able to learn
there are no Baltimoreans among them, as reported. They are a very
hardy looking body of men, but rather rough in outward appearance,
having doubtless been in active service for several months past. The
uniforms, which are of grey, are warm and comfortable.
They were provided last evening with refreshments by the gentlemanly
warden of the jail, Captain James, who renders them as comfortable as
circumstances will admit.
At an early hour this morning numbers of persons assembled at the jail
to obtain an interview, and among them many of the first ladies of
the city, who were anxious to relieve their wants, but an order was
received to close the gates, and all communication even to the press
was denied. We are informed, however, that any packages of clothing or
delicacies sent to them will be delivered to them by the authorities.
Among the party are eighteen non-commissioned officers, who are very
intelligent and gentlemanly, and all of whom seem thoroughly wrapt up
heart and soul in the Southern cause.
I am more and more disgusted every day at the very sight of dark blue
uniforms—in proportion to my attachment to the South, is my indignant
wrath at her enemies. Let us have no terms to make with the hordes and
vandals who seek to destroy us by the most unscrupulous and barbarous
warfare the world has ever known. Would that I had the power to scatter
them like chaff with the breath of my mouth!
_June 29th._ It is generally believed by the prisoners that we have
badly whipped the Yankees before Richmond. Yankee newspapers try to
conceal it, but their conflicting accounts of battles betray their
efforts to pervert the truth. May it be so, and if so, _Deo Gratias!_
The Yankee officers here say that General McClellan is certainly on
“Church Hill.”
_June 30th._ The editor of the “Baltimore American” has been arrested,
it is said, for publishing the accounts of the battles before Richmond
_too soon_. Having met with the subjoined address, I record it as a
part of the current history of the times:
_Address of the Democratic Members of Congress to the Democracy of the
United States._
FELLOW-CITIZENS:—The perilous condition of our country demands that we
should reason together. Party organization, restricted within proper
limits, is a positive good, and indeed essential to the preservation of
public liberty. Without it the best government would soon degenerate
into the worst of tyrannies. In despotisms the chief use of power is
in crushing out party opposition. In our country the experience of
the past twelve months proves, more than any lesson in history, the
necessity of party organization. The present administration was chosen
by a party, and in all civil acts and appointments has recognized, and
still does, its fealty and obligations to that party. _There must and
will be an opposition._ The public safety and good demand it. The
Democratic party was founded more than sixty years ago. It has never
been disbanded. To-day it numbers one million five hundred thousand
electors in the States still loyal to the Union. Its recent numerous
victories in municipal elections in the Western and Middle States
proves its vitality. Within the last ten months it has held State
Conventions, and nominated full Democratic tickets in every free State
in the Union. Of no other party opposed to the Republicans can the same
be said. Shall the Democratic party be now disbanded? Why should it?
Are its ancient principles wrong? What are they? Let its platforms for
thirty years speak:
“_Resolved_, That the American Democracy place their trust in the
intelligence, the patriotism, and the discriminating justice of the
American people, That we regard this as a distinctive feature in our
political creed, which we are proud to maintain before the world, as
the great moral element in a form of government, springing from and
upheld by the popular will; and we contrast it with the creed and
practice of Federalism, under whatever name and form which seeks to
palsy the will of the constituent, and which conceives no imposture
too monstrous for the public credulity. That the Federal Government is
one of limited power, derived _solely_ from the constitution, and the
grants of power made therein ought to be strictly construed by all the
departments and agents of the government; and that it is _inexpedient_
and _dangerous_ to exercise doubtful constitutional powers.”
And as explanatory of these the following from Mr. Jefferson’s
inaugural: “The support of the State Governments in all their rights
as the most complete administration of our domestic concerns, and the
surest bulwarks against anti-Republican tendencies. The preservation of
the General Government in its whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet
anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad.” Such, Democrats, are
the principles of your party, essential to public liberty, and to the
stability and wise administration of the government, alike in peace and
war. They are the principles upon which the Constitution and Union were
founded; and under the control of a party which adheres to them, the
constitution would be maintained, and the Union could not be dissolved.
This morning Lieutenant Holmes (one of the Yankee officers) came up to
our room and enquired “who has been talking to a man outside through
the bars?” “No one in this room,” was the reply, when he went out,
looking as if he believed we were falsifying. Soon Lieutenant Holmes,
or “Mullet-head,” as the “boys” call him, returned and said, “I have
the _culprit_.” The gentleman on the street to whom the prisoner
was talking was arrested, and the prisoner himself put in solitary
confinement. Some two weeks ago two little girls were arrested for
waving their handkerchiefs to prisoners, and a little child who could
not speak plainly for saying “Hoowaugh for Bowaygard.”
_July 2d._ A little girl, 12 years of age, was arrested to-day for
wearing an apron like the Confederate Dag. The surgeon of this prison
is known as “Cyclops” among us. A week ago “Cyclops” said “our forces
are about now in Richmond—the Anaconda is gradually coiling around
the last vital point of the rebellious monster.” What does he think
now? The “New York Times” acknowledges the loss of upwards of twenty
pieces of artillery in one fight. The Yankee papers a week ago reported
General Thomas C. Hindman, of Arkansas, as certainly dead.
In yesterday’s paper is the following telegram:—“Advices from Arkansas
are to the effect that General Hindman, with some five thousand rebels
was in the immediate vicinity of the St. Charles,” and that Colonel
Fitch had abandoned the forts, spiking the guns. The situation of
General Curtis is said to be critical, he being unable to obtain
supplies, and his army having been on half rations for a week: