Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-09-12
The Government at washington.

A friend, who was in the Courier Office Saturday,
gives us some interesting particulars Of conversation
that passed between himself and felow-passenger on
the Augusta down train of the South Carolina Rail
Road.
Our friend, at his request was introduced by the
Conductor to Mr.. W. Fl. Byrd, who had just arrived
from Washington and was his way to Richmond
with important information for the Confederate Govern
ment.
Mr. Byrd stated shat he had been acting for several
months private Secretary in the War Department at
w ashDgton
At the commencement Of the present difficulties be
was in Washington with his family and from various
found it impossible to get away and return to bis
home in Augusta DESTROYS of being servceabe to the
Southern Government he represented himself as a New
Yorker, and accepted place rendered by Secretary
Cameron. He thus enabled to obtain the earliest
information of all the movements in contemplation,
intelligence of which he transmitted home from time to
time His attention to business secured him the
limited confidence of Cameron, who at length gave him
The responsible position of Private Secretary This
ahed him to procure passes for himself and friends to 60
wherever they desired In fact all passes from the War
Department obliged to have Mr.. Byrds signature.
He evaded the oath required of all the subordnates in
the Office by obtaining permission, the day it to
be administered to go target shooting
Mr. Byrd states that with regard their army, they
have about 10000 men around Washington but that
they the rifraf of every part of creation They
in completely disorganized state not drilled,
have they any regularity their army arrangements
They put great faith in their Notifications. The
not paid regularly, the treasury being exhausted
Mr.. Byrd said that out OF debt of $4,000 due him,
be unable get but 81 900, taking $lOO in specie
and 5000 in Treasury The latter be managed to
dispose Of after hard effort at three per cent discount
He stated that Lincoln was in the War Office when
the news of the defeat of the Grand Army arrived
Never before had he such disappointed and
begone expression Of countenance. 1t was py turns
pale crimson and dak He sank settee trembling
and apparently filed with the utmost terror and alarm
He remained in this state for tme speeches. and
III able to move But few moments before, and up to
four o'clock, dispatches were received announcing the
success OF bis forces Now, however be told that
they routed and flying from those whom they had
here ofore despsed and ridculed
Mr.. Byrd also said be able to testify from direct
and positive testimony to the hanging of two South
Carolina prisoners after the battle OF Bull Run the
18TH In addition to those hung fifteen prisoners were
shot by their captOrs under the fear of losing them
When their prisoners captured the battle OF the 21s
taken to Washington the Fire Zouaves succeeded
in fOrciOy wrestling Is OF the number out Of the hands
OF the guard, who took them to the Capitol building,
and there bad rope thrown beam, and were on
the point of hanging them when Cen Scott came with
a large force and secured the prisoners safety
Cen Scott very indignant, and threatened to hang
herngeaders OF the Z1uaveS with the rope designed
for the Souhernets Some of the prisoners were wound
ed by the stones thrown at them by the ZJuaves while
IN the hands of their guards. These fellows MIR Byrd
said, very expert in this practice, ADD throw rocks
as straight good marksman would fire bullet
they make it their daily study perfect themselves in
all kinds aud forms of devlltry.
The important facts with regard to their defeat
at Manassas are concealed.
/ AS an instance MIR. BYRD mentions the fact of a
young Of a Massachusetts, company applying to
him tor pass who said that out of eighty men belong
ing to his company only eighteen of their members IS
capped all the rest having been killed.
Il Our friend stated that Mir. Byrd bad many important
facts to communicate to the Government, which, OF
course it was not prudent to make public. He stated
however, that it paramount necessity for the Con
tederao Government to at establish efficient pO
lice everywhere along their lines Unless this was done
the country would be overrun by spies who paid
u Literally by the War Department at Washington
1t is the intention of the Government to carry ont
systematic policy of throwing maraudiOg parties along
the whole Southern coast, and the States therefore
should prepare meet them They do not conceal this
! design.
Tie greatest inducements are held out to parties 10
the Northern States willing to engage in these praca
expeditions. Ghey in hopes of carrying destruction
everywhere and particularly In laying waste the Cotton
fields and thus obligng to keep up large forces il
the respective Southern StatGs.- ChaS. Courier.
The following is the sequel of Mr.. Byrd's visit tt
Richmond
Z IMPORTANT ARREsT--An Individual haing from
Augusta Georgia. ard who registered bis as VIII
f liam FL. Byrd reached this city yesterday morning from
g Washington, and arrested at the Exchange HOe
# by vIglant Government detective on the charge
being Federal spy. Upon the person of the prisone
, were found number of papers, &c. signed by Genera
Scott, and by Cameron the Yankee Secretary of War
which prove him to have been, late as August th
81 3lst clerk in the War Department at Washington
and confidential agent of the Lincoln Government
Among the documentary evidence thus acquired, ar
several passports priviegng him to pass through tn
Yankee lines and free passes over the Baltimore an
Ohio Northern Central and other Western lines,
tpreiOned hV Cameron Byrd whose arrest may no
important one has bee1 placed in proper custody for
l. further examination-Rchnlond Examiner, oh inst
o TIE HAPPY RESOLVE