The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-12
THE HATTERAs PRISONERS.

! Interesting tdcts obtained through a Conner
/ sation Viii released HaHeras PrisOners-the
Yankees ,cish to join the South.
/ The editor of the Norfolk Day Book publishes
the following report of a conversation had with
the released Confederate prisoners sent down to
that city from Fortress Monroe under flag of
truce some days ago. The information is highly
interesting and will richly repay perusal Of our
readers:
"They represent much dissatisfaction among the
Federal troops; and state that many of them en-
dorse the action OK the South, and hope for her
ultimate success. In proof of the existence of
such state of feeling they relate that attempt
was made by some of the Federal soldiers at Old
Point to blow up the magazine there by means of
q train of powder which they had succeeded in
laying but which was discovered before an oppor-
tunity was had to fire it. They also stated that
quite a number of the Northern soldiers expressed
desire, on their departure, to 60 South with
them, and regretted exceedingly the circumstances
which prevented their doing.
Among the various little amusemens for our
men while at the Rip Raps, none seemed to please
them more than the seeing of numbers OF the
Northern delinquents with ball and chain attach
ed to their feet, rolling wheelbarrows Of coal.
One Of them relates that Fed told him that if
he didn't behave himself they would DO him In the
same way, whereup pom he told him they would
have to kill him first, and he added 81 mean it,
too, for | should prefer death any time to those
iron things about my legs.
The notorious Charles Henry Foster is at the
Rip Raps-sncaking around in his usual hang
dog manner. He had the impudence and lack
of manliness to make dshonorable proposition
to our men there, which they were prevented from
properly resisting account of the circumstances
under which they were placed. They have him
marked, however, and the time may come when
they will have an opportunity o. wreaking their
vengeance upon him. The proposition to which
we refer was, that they decline any further ALI
ance with the South, and ''enlist soldiers under
the Stars and stripes" We are happy, however,
to be able to say, that while the prisoners them
selves not at liberty to reply as they would
have desired to this base suggestion, yet they
had the satisfaction OF witnessing the mortihca-
ton of Foster, occasioned by pcremptory order
from the officer in command of the Rip Raps, for
bidding him to utter such language, and intimat
ing that nothing but coward would take such an
occasion to make such proposition.
Foster pleaded, az an excuse for his conduct,
that he had been Instructed to make the PROPOSE
ton by Gen. Wool; this the officer fatty denied ,
and afterwards told the men to resist such sug-
gestioa if made to them again
Two dcserters from ranks joined the enemy
at the Rip Raps short time before our men left.
They both Georgians, and deserted from
Magruders forces.
Dixies Land, it seems is air much admir-
ed by the Feds that they cannot bear the idea of
giving it up, and our informant states that he was
asked number Of times, while among them to
sing it. He regretted with US that he didn't do
so--introducing the little affair at Bull Run. By
the-way, speaking of Bull Run, reminds us that
while men in Castle William at New
York, passengers the boats would take occa-
SION, when passing there, 70 tantalize them with
cheers for Hatteras. They bore it patiently for
some time but finally regarding forebearance as
no longer virtue, they replied to these cheers, on
one occasion, by singing out, "Three cheers for
Bull Rum After that boats passed noislessly
funeral procession, and no more cheers were
heard for Hatteras
1t seems that the Northern soldiers regard the
South having the best officers, and make no
hesitation i'll asserting the same whenever an OPP
portunty presents. They have bestowed new
title upon Bcsuregard, and allude to him as the
"Old Swamp Fox, meaning by this, we suppose,
that he is cunning enough to perceive all their
plans, and wise enough to thwart them.
The returned prisoners report that they left
quite number of their comrades sick, and state
that there has been sixteen deaths among them
since they left Hatteras. Tha disease prevailing
among them is form of typhoid.
When they left IIatteras, the prisoners left be-
hind them all their wearing apparel, and conse-
quently stood very much in need of clothing on
arrival at New York, and, being in strange coun-
try, among strangers, they did not know for awhile
what they should do Those with whom we con-
versed, state, however, that their wants, in this
respect, had all been supplied, and expressed their
Indebtedness for the clothing they then wore to
their Captain, l.. L. Clements, who had procured
the same for them
The released men expressed much satisfaction
at being again in Dixies land They left Friday
morning in the for Weldon, and are now
doubtless once more at their homes among the low
ed ones there"