Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-12-05
Late Northern IntelIigc nee.

AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES LETTERS.
The Philadelphia papers contain numerous extracts
from letters received in that city within day two
from the Federal prisoners at Richmond who were cap
tured at the battle of Balls Bluff Leesburg. The
letters give full account of the battle and the
of the prisoners taken and although acknowledging the
good treatment at the hands of their captOrs, the wr
tiers hope for speedy release through an exchange of
prisoners The details of the battle contained in the
letters add nothing to what already known. We make
the following extracts, however,
LETTER FROM LIEUT.. HOOPER.
After we lost the day. there alternative left
but to surrender swim the river but doing we
would have left the company in the hands of the enemy
We concluded would be taken prisoners rather than
leave commands, although the retreat had been
sounded Lieut.. Johnston the river safely
! | believe. There were great many who were shot
whilst enleavoring to swim the river, aud have no
doubt that many were drowned.
The fight was very severe one. There were about
| 1900 men engaged sde which the enemy have
magnifed into 10000, while they set down their force
at $500 We understood before we crossed, that it
was 1000. =
There were from five to six hundred of us taken pris-
and conveyed to Leesburg, which place we left for
Manassas the mig ght about II o'clock, and arrived
there Wednesday morning about 10 o'clock. We left
Manassas the evening for Richmond and arrived
! here about o'clock Thursday morning. We are
uuartered in large tobacco warehouse, where the prs
oners taken at the battle OF Bull Run are quartered.-
The accommodations not equal to those OF the Con
tinenal but they might be much than they are.
We are furnished with ratons of bread and fresh meat
daily, both of which exceedingly good and no one
! in any danger OF starving For extras we will form
messcs and get whatever long our money
| holds out.
The drawing setting apart certain prisoners to be
dealt with in the same the captured priva
teersmen at the \ Orth took place the 10th inst.
Lieut. Hooper says that the prisoners are OF the opn-
ion that the privateersmen Will not be hung.
FEDERAL PRISONERS AT CHARLESTON.
Letter from Colonel Corcoran-Imerestlng Accoutt Of
Matters an Castle Pinckney, Charleston Ha'Jor-
Condition of the Union Prisoners.
We make the following extracts from letters from
Col Corcoran Cf the New York Sixty Ninth Regi-
ment, in confinement at Castle Pinckney, 5. c.
| He captured, it will be remembered, at Bull Run
and held hostage for Smith, convicted Of piracy
in Philadelphia. Col. q. says:
iu my last mentioned that the people OF Charleston
had treated with considerable courtesy the OcCa
sion OF arrival and departure from that city but
neglected to S ate another favorable change in treat
ment hele The officers have the liberty OF the island
on which the castle is situated, from reveie retreat
and allowed Oh the rampartS until tattoo. The rank
and file allowed the liberty of the Interior yard dur
ing the aforesaid hours. This is quite change from
Virginia hospitality, where had not been permitted
one moment for air exercise during the fifty days
our detention in the memorable tobacco factory
and witbou' bedding Of any kind
Tie bishop OF this place visited ME, and spoke in that
mild g. emanly and Christian spirit for which all IL
|
been so truly characterized. lie handed me all The
funds in his possession, and OF which stood in the
greatest need and appointed to come here last Thurs
day to celebrate and attend to the religious
stiles OF the prisoners but the day proved wet
stormy that it impossible, without imminent dan
ger, to cross over from the city but we expect him
his earliest convenience This is tie first time that any
apparent interest has been taken N spiritual vel
fare.
? The good sisters of our faith esdiug in Richmond
(mbO HpI nhoya oh
al strife and contention OF the world with their
and self sacrificing and Christian disposition to reude
aid and comfort to the afflicted attended such Of
wounded at the general hospital and our off
GERS and men who there and who represent al
classes of religion unanimous III their praise of tn
and attention bestowed in dressing aud cleaning
the wounded and mary attribute er recovery to thei
{ untirng exertons.
In another letter. Colonel Corcoran writes as follows
4 The prisoners here who LETT Richmond On the l3t
ult consist OF thrtyour officers and l2O non-commis
stoned officers and pfivaes among the former thre
colonies, lieutenant colonel and major.
This place is already well known, therefore needs N
description. The caSemates are occupied quarters
AS visitors allowed here, not subjected
the idle and offensive curiosity Of spectators tb
case at Richmond, where crowds permitted to as
semble IN front OF our prison to stare at Us all da
whenever went TO catch breath OF air at the win
dows, when the favored individuals obtained passe
to enter, and many cases took occasion to a.
] kinds of questions. Iudeed the people OF Charleston
i presented striking contrast in genemeny behavior
towards US, on our arrival and departure althOug
large numbers were present on both occasions, not
single offensive word was spoken or act committed.
! We all here in great need OF clothing, and i
many without single cent to procure any th
different things essentially necessary. received som
funds from relative IL Richmond, which have bee
expended, and Lieutenant Connolly and myself ar
among the bankrupts for some days past. am we
satisfied there some in Char lesion Wbo would divd
their last dollar with me- but cannot accept it, q
there appears to be possible way ot repayng, pei
haps for years Indeed, some gentlemen were kin
make inquiry if | needed anything to which | re
J. piled in the negative; and while at Richmond receiv
- ed communication from gentleman from Montgome
ry Ala who is said to be OF the weathest gentle
men in that city, stating that he most desirous
+ supplying me with anything [ required
am quite satisfied to remain here long as it ma
be considered necessary the purposes Of my COY
ernment or our people but ! am exceedingly anxiou
that the rank and file OF the different regiments shou
be seen TO possible. The poor fellows
most earnestly devoted to the best interests of the
l., country and are suffering much from want OF prOpe
clothing or any changes OF under garments MaDy al
= without Shoes bed covering, which is chez
less prospect with the approach Of cold weather
and above all things their poor families in many case
r. must certainly suffer from want OF the assistance the
could render at liberty and many are OF the thrt
months volunteers, who made provision for aEsen(
beyond that time and whose future welfare depends n
on their return at the very earliest period
II The following paragraph from letter from Cairo
? the Cincinnati Commercial shows who is to be Il
next victim. Grants head must of to atone fl
s. the loss of the battle of Belmont
U There is general murmur OF complaint against &c
is Grant, that, alter the victory OF the morning
pete the enemy routed, whipped off the field their ba
teres captured etc., be should have permitted renorc
ments the river Immediately in front of biz
70 and surrounded him with superior force, throue
e which boys then entirely dsorganzed, had to c.
their way back to the boais. 1t was here that 10
8 occurred. We were followed to within fifteen ieet
the gaao way planks, under hail storm of oulle s.