The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-28
The Returned Filibusfers.

Dcserters from General Walker, who landed
on "''csdny from the Tennessee, passed through
seyerh streets, presenting most forlorn and
affect appearance They seemed to have reach.
cd tho lowest point of destit,,tion and physical
depression. A large number were without
SHOES; the garments Of others were either d-
i,apidated or in repulsivc condition of filtT
t9 Tenrd9 were unshorn, CHASTITY wounds not yet
,m,Ss'loiy ,,S liked some weres barely able to walk
@ hnere were boys already having the aspect of
mature % men, as the result of fatigue, privation
nhn r disease The condition Of oil excited pro-
found cornniseration II
a"on alter landing. they were taken in charge
W Two or three kindly disposed persons, who
c"nd"r'ed them TO the City hall, wore several
nPl.ea's 1or assistance were made by some of
.he'r own number aud others, to enable them
10 rSaen their homes. Upwards of two hun
ured % 1oi'"rs were collected. They then pro-
cceied to the steps Of the Mcrchn nts' Exchange,
ana something additional was obtained, during
the delivery of speeches. All seemed to enter.
tain feelings exceedingly hostile to General
Walker, though some expressed willingness
TO return II placed under the leadership Of an
other general. The bravery Of General Wal
kcr was conceded, but he was promo ty
rannical and selfish, and without any rropvr
regard for the welfare Of his men, One Of them
remarked that he had repeatedly seen good,
| nblcbodicd men taken from the ranks and i'm.
mc,liately shot, because suspected Of intending
that no such intention existed. lie was nlso
accused of violating his agreements One man
sal-"Whcn we left New Orleans, VIC were
each promised two hundred and fifty acres of
land, plough and other necessary implements
of lusbandry, supply ofsccds, clothing for one
year. &c, yet We were not two weeks in the
country before some were shot like dogs"
These men claimed tu have been in repeated
engagements with Walker, and to have never
| deserted until compelled to do SO, to procure
the means of subsistence, only few days be-
fore the capitulntion. OF the dcsper ate nature
of tho conflict in which they had been engaged,
their numerous wounds afforded abundant tes.
| tim"ny.
One Of the speakers. n tnll athletic man, and
| apparently quite intelligent, undertook to
describe the suffering whicl, he and his associ-
atcs had endured but abandoned the effort,
saying that words were Inadequate; and even
| could lie express himself fully, he would not be
believed. For days in succession their rations
had consisted of IL quarter Of a pound of mule
meat an! two ounces of sugar. Men had fallen
| down hr rless from mere starvation, and vain
y called for water food, and been left to Ill C.
| lie had seen them in their death struggles, and
none to afford comfort or medicine The speak
er himself hal bullet wound in his neck, and
| seemed to have narrowly escaped tho fate Of
Others MS described. Another, in referring to
the instrum"ntnty by which he had been en-
ticcd from his home, inlulycl in the most bitter
remuneration, and employed The strongest cpt
thcts. Walker he sni,l, had never shown any
| sympathy in behalf of his followers, or extend
cd TO them proper encouragement, until rcvcr
scs began to thickcn. He then Offered to resign
If any other officer would be more acceptable
f" the men but the speaker observed that at
that time Walker was already drawing up the
terms of caritulntinn.
| All seemed grateful for their lclivcrnncc
and TO be making efforts almost beyond their
powers of endurance, in their final cndcavor t,
reach their respective homes.
| journal Of Commerce.