Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-12

Commercial Of the afternoon Of the 4th gives the
following account Of the removal Of The prisoners
from the Minnesota:
This morning, about nine o'clock the steamboat
Saturn and Sarah A. Stevens went of 80 the frgate
for the purpose of taking the rebels their prison
home. The Stevens occupied the starboard side and
the Saturn the port side. Al few minutes OF tea
O'Clock the embarkation commenced. and more IN
terestlng sight has been seldom witnessed On the
waters Of our bay. The roll of the company was
called, and as each man answered to his name he
passed over the side, down the gahgway ladder,
thence crossing the deck of coal barge lying along
side, he stepped on board of the steamer.
As fast as they came on board they were order
ed 20 be seated the after part of the deck Each
man, as he came down, brought his traps with him.
These consisted for the most part of blankets, old
coats, and perhaps few shirts. Some men had
small trunks, ami many were prov d with va
Uses. The embarkation was performed in very
rapid manner and without any accident.
At this time dozens of small boats had come Oh
70 the ship to see the process of Decentralization,
and many of them contained ladies. In their anx-
iety to get good view of the prisoners they crowd
ed around the ship too closely to be either safe or
lawful and the officers of the ship in vain tried to
drive them away. At this juncture COXswain Mes
bitt of the harbor police, came off, and soon kept
the boats at proper distance
About ten o'clock the lines were cast of from
the frigate, and the Stevens headed down the bar
with over three hundred privates of several differ
ent companies on board. Lieut. Franklin. of the
Minnesota was in charge of the party, and was not
accompanied by single marine, or even a sailor.
He wore his side arms only. No noise or confusion
was apparent and everything was conducted with
great regularity.
On arriving at Bedloe's Island the Stevens was
secured TO the DOCK and the prisoners on the for
ward deck landed in single file. On the dock few
regulars were drawn up, while guard of the Fire
Zouaves were present to escort the prisoners to
their quarters in Fort Wood. As soon the por>
ton on the after deck were landed, the prisoners
drawn up in line the roll called, and all found
correct. They were then marched up to the fort.
The embarkation of the remainder of the pris-
Oners which were on board the Saturn con-
Quoted in the same manner as in the case of the
Stevens. The officers were, however, the last to
leave the Minnesota the lowest in rank leaving the
ship first At last came Commodore Barron, who
was dressed in uniform similar to that by our
naval officers. He seemed to be in toerable good
spirits. and earnestly engaged in conversation
with of his officers. In fact. the entire number
of officers we're looking remarkably well
This load of prisoners, numbering over three
hundred, was placed on board in about forty min
utes after the embsrkatiOn began. 1t was conduct
ed with accidents, save to one or two clumsey
fellows, who fell down the gangway ladder. Lieut.
Foster, of the Minnesota, had the party in charge,
and was unaccompanied by any guard. The Saturn
left the ship at IL o'clock and at first headed down
TIE bay, so that many supposed that she going
to land her passengers at BedlOe's Island also But
she soon altered her course, and after running up
the East river for some distance, she turned her
head and stood toward the government dock at
Governors Island, where she made fast and landed
the prisoners. The privates were first landed and
drawn up in line, and then the officers were taken
on shore, passing their men, each had eppor
tunity of seeing each other. They were then re-
moved to Castle William. under proper guard.
The New. York Express says:
No communication has been allowed with the pris-
oners, but it is understood from officers of the fri
gate that over 500 of the subalterns and private
soldiers have decided that under no circumstances
would they again resume service against the U. S.
government. A dispatch was sent to Washington,
asking if such prisoners as manifested this loyal
disposition might be liberated taking the oath Of
the answer was in the negative, and or
ders were issued to keep the whole party close prs
oners.