The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-23
NEWS feoM THE SOUTH.
The Rebel Leaders, opinion on vio
Late English News.
Additional r Particulars Of tI1s Charles
ton Fire.
&C., &c, DC.
sTATEMENT OF A RETURNED PRISONER.

yupae--rENsacoLA pW.srsa THE BoMBARDMENr--
RErREAT or TIE MISSISSIPPI TRoops-DAMA0E TO
THE REBEL FoRTs--c0NDITIoN OF TEE REBEL
TROOPS, Frr.
Among tho passengers by the gunboat Connecticut,
which arrived at shis port last Tuesday from Fort Pick
sns was Iov hsan intelligent coiored man. He lot
ahis oy tho 18th Of last March, as waiter tho
steamship star Of tho West, for Brazos Santiago which
vessel tho relief Of the United States troops
escaping from that State Tho Star Of the West subsc.
qreutiy proceeded 10 iudisnoa, where shc was
seized by the rebels and all her made prisoners
Here tho legitimate officers Of the ship superseded
by rebc aud, with the Of the ship, she sailed for
Now Orleans. The vessel prize and the pri-
turned to the rebel quartermaster in
aha, city Tho statements several Of the officers who
subsequently liberated bave already appeared in
Abe columns Of the HERALD Hence there a necessity
OF referring TO them at This conuncnre. The statement
OF Mann, who has recently been liberated and whose
Imprisonment las extended q period OF seven
months is only given here He says after his arrival
New Orleans he kept in that city only few hours
when ho sent by steamboat, via Lake Pontchartrain
10 Mobile Remaining in Mobile but short time, he
was sent, board the steamboat Southern Republic to
Montgomery, where 10 arrived on the Esd Of April
Shortly after the arrival Of the steamer mob OF several
persons armed with bowie knives and pistols came On
board the boat and conveyed Mann up tho city of
Montgomery, all the time using the grossest Ian
gnage possible They subsequently liberated him
and told him TO return 10 the steamer, which
command he obeyed. shortly after his return 20 tho
steamer a ruby-faced fellow, named b. p. Clark who
assumed tho title of Marshal Of Montgomery assisted by
adepu,y named Gus HcGibncy and others, demanded
tho name Of the person who In charge of the
prisoners At this demand Mr. Dean the second officer
Of tho original Of the star Of the West stepped
forward and said he was tho person. The words had
al
severe blow in the face. He then seized Mann by the
collar and told him that he must go along with him
Mann at first refused whom Clark drew revolver out OF
his pocket, telling Mann II he refused accompany him
that he would blow bis brains out any person who at
tempted TO interfere Captain Mears OF steamboat
who was during this affair silent spectator could cen
tain his feelings longer and told Clark no was carry
ing the thing too far BY exhibiting snch brutality TO men
who had no means OF defence. Clark replied that he
was sorry for what he had dono and begged pardon,
but if Captain Mears took it up he would
shoot him. Clark and his banditt with Mann as a pri
soncr then left tho steamer and proceeded TO
ry jail Here tho prisoner WAS robbed o.
his money and papers OF the value 5000 stripped Of his
clohpg and received ono hundred and City ashes from
leather strap about four feet long and an inch
thick IN the hands Of one Of his prosecutors The srpes
were laid on with much force each blow decorating the
akin followed by streams OF blood This brutality caused
tho prisoner TO sink from exhaustion and until he was
thought toSe In dying condition. Mann, being Of a
strong athletic constitution rallied from the effect OF this
brutality. The same night Uhe cath Of ApriD Clark
CAME to The cell OF the prisoner ordering him get up
and go with him. 1he prisoner although delirious from
Abe beating he had received had alternative but to
follow his fendsh keeper and forthwith proceeded to the
street where Clark had horse and buggy in waiting
Mann asked him (Cark) what he intended to do with
him Clark replied that was mono Of his business It only
matter OF dollars aud cents anyhow The prisoner then
made strenuous appeal for his release the same time
offering his custodian $500 for it. 10 this pro.
driven around The streets Of Montgomery for severainra
and then placed in the custody or man named Cream
MOI who took him to Iuskega, Macon county, forty
I'VE miles distant where they arrived in the forenoon and
the prisoner placed at the service George e. Collins
groceryman and farmer, who owned about forty acres
bf land Here Mann was put to work in company with
several slaves and there abored for months without
pay emoumsnt Of any kind, until providsntial plan
presented itself for his delivery from this imposed and in
voluntary servtade. BY the good offices Of friend who
sympathzed with the prisoner the latter was advised to
make his escape TO weumpka and there claim tbe nro
lection OF emo of tho State then session. Mann
acted on this advice, although flied with fears ana
doubts as TO the result bat his anxiety family in
this city-means OF communication with whom was on
reiy denied hinmade his mind TO attempt his escape
ptwhatever sacrifice risk Hestartcd for Wetumpka
Judge Alexander df the Probate Court then
IN session. The Judge apparently touched with
Manns story and ordered hearing Of the case at three
O'Clock P. NJ October 23 that hour Mann was again
.n court, and was put on the stand and infinitely oxa
mined On the strength Of his statement the Judge told
him he should be ssrt TO General Bragg ut Pensacoa
with request for his liberation at an early day This
favorable decision fell like clap of thunder on the mind
of Manu. who could hardly suppress his feelings at tile
thought Of onco joining his little family in New
York. On the 26h Of October Mann was placed In
Dustody Of Marshal Thomas Jones' who had thu order OF
he court for the delivery Of tho prisoner to General
Bragg At Pensacola Arriving at Pensacola the next day
Il was then asccrtaned that General Bragg not there
be being IN Mobile looking after rebel miliay matters
IN that city. General Bragg returned Pensacola
lWarriRgt0n Navy Yard on the Sunday fol
lowing, when Marshal Jones delivered tho or
ger of the court and the prisoner TO him. The
General read the order very ntenty, and subsequently
assured the prisoner that he would send him to Fort
tickes under nag OF truce a. soon opportunity
presented itself NMeanHhe Mann the guard
mouse at warrington Navy Yard, there - await his final
nisposipon here no Fenaaei four weeks fam was IL
the rebel guard9uso tho day Fort Pckons opened Oh
the rcpe paGeTss 10 SIS Fhcn Fort PcSeus spened
on the rebels IN tie Shfy Yarl regiment u As isspp
troops were on IN 3rnbg yaro1e The lrs sacl nom Fort
Pickes struck the NHefa short distance from the Navy
Yard The second shQ was II similar range as tho fre
abe attack was wholly unexpected BY the rebel soldiers
and when the firing comuarroi thov broe ranks md
despite all the entreaes Of their brave officers made
fartive retreat In double quick time throwing away
ther rifles blankets and equipments After the rebels
opened their batteries Fort Pckens they became more
collected being inspired by the and determined man
per Of Gen. Bragg and other g rank officers who moved
from point e point the bonbartmept progressed In
IN fha L,