Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-11-29
Prisoners at Richmond.

The Philadelphia hquirer has mum.
Der of interesting letters from prisoners
at Richmond. OF Col. Lee one of them
remarks:
Near me, on the left, may be seen
the slight, yet agile figure Of Col. Lee, of
the Twentieth Massachusetts, (takcu at
Balls Bluff, who is earnestly engaged in
conversation with two visitors. one of
whom, hear, is the Episcopal Bishop of
Virginia the other n divine of note from
the same State. Col. Lee has warmth
and earnestness Of manner which endears
him not only to his brother officers, but
interests all who comes within the sound
of his genial voice He is beloved by the
lnnior officers OF his command, four of
whom are prisoners here, preierring to
share his fate rather than desert him
when our hard tough. battle was over"
The drawing of lots tor prisoners to be
held as hostages for the privateersmcn, is
described as follows:
General Windcr, who has charge of
the prisoners, was here yesterday, and
an order from their government to this
effect; That whatever was done with
the priyateersmen Of the Savannah, who
are awaiting their trial i'll New York and
also whatever was done with Smith, who
was convicted in Philadelphia, hostages
would be held from the prisoners here,
and they would be treated exactly in the
same manncr-thc said hostages to be Sc
cctcl from the prisoners Of the highest
rank.
Accordingly, the names of all the Col
oncls (six i'll number) were placed IN can
aud Que name drawn out, who is to stand
as hostage for Smith, of Philadelphia, and
in case he is hung his hostage will be
lung likewise. Colonel Corcoran's, of
the Sixty-ninth New York, name was
drawn, and he will now be treated as
Smith is trcatel. Corcoran is now held
as prisoner at Charleston, South Caroli-
na The balance of the Colonels, Lieu
tenant Coonels and Majors were selected
to represent the privateersmen of the Sa-
vannah (thirtcen in number)
There were only ten field officers prs-
oners, SO they sccrcted the other three
from the ptalns-casting lots who should
serve. All the captains names were
placed in Il can, the first three drawn
were to be added to the field officers,
making the requisite number Q3), Capt
Ricketts,, Capt, lockwood and Capt. Me-
Quades names were the first drawn. So
that all the field officers (ten in number),
and the captains mentioned above, stand
as hostages for the privatecrsmen of the
Savannah. Should they be hung, these
will be hung likewise, or in whatever
other manner their prisoners of war are
treated these hostages will share the
same fate.
There will be a flag of truce sent to
General Wool, acquainting him and the
government with the action of the Con-
Tolerate government in this matter, to-
day or Tomorrow, when our letters will
70 Iikewise.'
The following is an accurate list of the
hostages
|, Colonel Corcoran, Sixty-ninth New
York, for Smith, condemned in Philadel-
phu.
>. Colonel Lee, Twentieth Massachu-
setts regiment.
3, Colonel Cogswell, New York Tam
many regiment
I. Colonel Wood, Fourteenth New
York regiment.
5. Colonel Wilcox, First Michigan
regiment.
6. Colonel Woodruff, Second Ken
tucky regiment,
I. Lieut.. Colonel Ncff, Second Ken.
lucky regiment.
&. Lieut.. Colonel Bowman, Pennsyl.
vania regiment.
0. Major Revere, Twentieth Massa.
: chusetts giment.
TO- Major Potter, Thirty eighth New
York regiment.
IL. Major Vogdes, United States
: First Artillery.
II. Captain George w. lockwood,
Fifteenth Massachusetts regiment,
l3. Captain Henry Bowman, Fif.
teenth Massachusetts regiment.