Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-06

FROM ". Peter.sa.l Va } E1ppss., sept. ..


Messrs. Warren J. Gill and George n. Merriam
who had been confined in that dreary and uncOm-
Portable fort known as the Grip Raps" facing For
trsss Monroe, for nearly three months were on Fri
day last released by order Of Gen. Wool, and sent
I'D 10 Norfolk under Gag of truce. The wrongs
which these gentlemen have suffered at the hands
of the Lincoln Government, are almoSt too grieT-
GUS to be receive with cre1euce. They are both
Genrginians, and natives Of Richmond city. Mr.. Gill
80 years Of age, and Mr.. Merriam s. At the
time Virginia was invaded in the vicinity OF HSmp-
tJn. they were conducting merchantle ousInt s.
as partners, at Newport News. Upon the Yankees
taking possession Of that point, they immediately
pitched their texts upon eeld of I,oss luyurlant
wa at o &ned by Messrs aGill 9 Marian, utter
y destro ing the arOP, and then took possession Of
portion of their premises and helping themselves
generally 10 any thing that they wished 1t was
suggested to these gentlemen that they hsd better
take the oath, q proposition which they posi-
lively declined. They were closely watched, but
not seriously Telssted until the Peninsula became
occupied by Confederate troops, and TIRES OF four
de ld Yankee pickets brought into camp almost
daily for interment Their every movement was
now closely scrutinized and they were subjected to
every conceivable annoyance. Finally, en- the 10th
Of June the battles Of Little and Big Bethel were
fought both OF which resulted Gisass rously to the
Yankees, although at the former ~LGle bat their
own troops were engaged.
The Yankees nov became desperate, and Old Bat
Ter fumed foamed and fFetted, until he could no
longer contain himself or tolerate the pres
ence of rebel at large SO he ordered AeEsrs Gill
and Merriam, to be taken to the Rip Rap At the
expiration of three Heeks, kr. Merriam, thinking
that the killed and wounded at Bethel had all been
brought in, and that Buffers rage had somewhat
subsidized sent an earnest request that he might BE
granted an interview. He did SO under the hell f
that he COnld convince Pieayune that Mr. Gill and
himself had been deprived Of their liberty without
sufficient cause, and should be released. The indi-
Vidual who carried the message wa5 told that no
int rEiew could be Crane to "a ID rebel. sHd in
st ucted to procure rope and hang Mr. Merriam
on sight. Knowing that Butler drank, the
cOmmlgd was not Obeyed
In The Fort these gentlemen were allowed to pur-
cha E late NORA IN p7pers and read them, but they
were not 81 owed TO write or receive letters. Mr.,
Gill had not heard from his family for many
months at the tims of his release Friday last
The prisoners were permitted to go out on the
wharf Of the Ford every evening half hour before
spa down, under guard, and with this exception
they enjoyed no privileges whatever They say
they were very kindly treated by the keeper Of the
Fort, agentleman named LebGus Leach, who tkey
will ever CRATE ully remember.
Upon going before Gen. Wool last Friday morn
ing, they were asked if they could keep their
tongues within THAR teeth upon going to Norfolk,
and, particularly, if they would pledge themselves
not to tell the rebels the number Of troops at
at Old ONT They replied alarm ltiyely, and were
then released on taking the oath, but not until one
Major Jones' of New York, an AID Of Gen Woods
had ia,erfered and protested sgainst their dis
charge.
Mr. Gill had rev carriage at Newport News,
for which he paid $400 in Richmond lsst fsl, He
vas informed by General Wool that they had been
taken possession of by the Yankee Government
but not until their value had been assessed by
Yankee committee appointed for the purpose. The
carriage was assessed at &c., and the mare st $35.
The amounts, General Wool sand, would be handed
over to Mr. Gill at the expiration of the war
Messr5 Gill AMI Ncrriamlsft la-ge St ck Of,grocs
ries, dry goods, tin ware, ETC., at Newport News,
all Of which has disappeared, but Gen. Wool said
he knew nothing about it, aud he supposed that
the soldiers hSd made way with it before the Az.
sessing Committee could reach there. Such is the
consolation these robbers offer Virginians after
stealing everything they can put their hands uPon
Mr.. Gill asked the privilege of purchasing twelve
pounds of coffee to bring to the Southern Confede-
racy having heard that il is very scarce and high
snoug us 1t IS selling at Old Poiut for ii cents per
p iund but not grain would Gen Wool allow Mr..
G Il to purchase A Yankee woman, who recently
reached Old Point under flag of truce from Nor>