Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-29
Demands OF ahe AbOIitionists.

S(Ao0
defenee is bound to use all means that viii cripple
the resources Of the enemy and weaken his ability
to protract the war. Whether lands. or stock,
whether horses, CATTLE or negroes, the Government
is justified in conseating them all. But what ia the
Government to do with the slaves thus cenfscsted9
Sell them Who could, for one instant think Of
permitting the Government TO take on the character
Of an suctioneeF. and establish rivalry with the
Slave dealers of New Orleans Richmond, and the
other Southern marketsG What then is to be done
with them Feed and clothe them The Govern
ment has done all it can do in providing for her
soldiers. Hire them at so much per day to work
in camps aud upon Notifications That has been
done, but does it not 20 all that to hire and
pay them wages for labor is to divest them Of the
most essential characteristics of seryile condition.
Is 1t not recognition Of self agency and individual
freedom? Is it not restoration of national rights
wrested from them by civil wrong? To pay the
slave not his MISTER is then virtually to emancipate
MIN. And this is the only relation the Government
can assume to him. without putting itself In the
position of a Shareholder or slaVetrader. Now
we trust it will be the basis Of a uniform and Wig
oroHs policy on this delicate subject.
YANKEE Prisoners In the SOuth...What
They say Of Their Treatment.
The Northern papers come to US freighted with
letters written home BY the Yankees held as pris-
oners in the South. As matter of curiosity we
them.
Colonel COEcoRAN, Of the New York 6gth regi,
ment, and captured at Bull Run, and held as hos
tage for SMITH, convicted for piracy in Philadelphia
writes from his confinement in Castle Pinekney,
Charleston harbor:
The prisoners here, who left Richmond on the
18th ultimo consist Of thirty-fOur officers and one
hundred and twenty non-eommissioned officers and
priTates; among the former are three Colonies, a
Lieu tenant Colonel and Major.
This place is already well known. therefore
needs no description. The classmates are occupied
as quarters. AS no visitors are allowed here we
not ubject TO the idle and offensive curiosi-
ty Of spectators as was the case at Richmond,
where crowds were permitted TO assemble in front
Of our prison to stare at us al day whenever we
went to catch breath air at the windows when
the more favored individuals obtained passes to en-
ter, and in many cases took occasion to ask all
kinds of questions. Indeed, the PEOPLE Of Charles
ton presented striking contrast in gentlemanly be-
hsEiour towards US on our arrival and departure
although large numbers were present on both occas
sions, not single offensive Eerd was spoken or
act committed.
In my last mentioned that the people of Charles
ton had treated US with considerable courtesy on
the occasion of our arrival in and departure from
that city, but neglected to state another favorable
change IN our treatment here. The officers have
the liberty of the island on which the castle is
situated, from reyeille to retreat and are allowed
on the ramparts until tattoo. The rank and file are
allowed the liberty of the interior yard during the
aforesaid hours. Thists quite change from Vir-
ginia hospitality where we had not been permitted
one moment for air or exercise during the fifty
dsys of our detention in the ever memorable
tobacco factory and without bedding Of any kind.
The Bishop Of this place visited me and spoke in
that mild, gentlemanly and Christian spirit for
which all our clergy everywhere, and under all
circumstances, have been so truly characterized.
BE handed me all the funls in his possession, and
Of which stood in the greatest need and sppOint.
ed to come here last Thursday to celebrate mass
and attend to the religious necessities Of the prs-
oners; but the day proved so wet and stormy that
it impossible, without imminent danger to cross
over from the city, but We expect him at his earliest
convenience.
We are ali here in great need OF clothing and in
many cases without single cent to procure any of
the different things essentially necessary. receiY-
ed some funds from relative ii Richmond which
have been expended, and Lieutenant Connolly and
myself are among the bankrupt for some days past
am satisfied there are some in Charleston who
would divide their last dollar with me- but cannot
accept it, there appears to be possible way of
re-paying perhaps for years. Indeed, some gentle
men were so kind to make inquiry if ] needed
anything. to which / replied in the negative and
while at Richmond received communication from
gentleman at Montgomery Alabama, who is said
to be one Of the weathest gentlemen in that city,
with anything required.
/ am quite satisfied TO remain here as long as it
may be considered necessary to serve the purposes
Of the Government or our people but l am ex-
ceediDgy anxious that the rank and file of the diff
ferent regiments should be seen soon possible.
The poor fellows almost earnestly devoted to the
best interests Of their country, and are suffering
much from want of proper clothing or any changes
OF under garments. Many are without shoes, coats
and bed covering, which is a cherries prospect
fban of
all things, their poor families in many cases, must
Certainly suffer from want Of the assistance they
could render If ct liberty, and many are Of the three
months volunteers, who made no provision for alb
sence beyond that time, and whose future welfare
depends upon their return at the very earliest PEI
Rod.
Lieutenant Hooper, one Of the prisoners captured
at the battle of Leesburg, and confined in prison
here, sends hope q long account Of the 6ght We
quote from his letter;
The Sight was q very severe one. There were
about 1900 men engaged on our side, which the enc
my have magnifed into 10000, while they set down
their force at $500. We understood before we
crossed that il was 1000.
After we lost the day there was no alternative
left but to surrender or SWIM the river but in so
doing we would have left the company in the hands
OF the enemy. We concluded We would be taken /
prisoners rather than leave our commands although
the retreat had heen sounded. Lieutenant Johnston
swan acr the river safely, believe. There
ing to swim the river, and l have no doubt that 1
many were drowned.
There were from five to six hundred of US taken .
prisoners and conveyed to Leesburg which place |
we left for Manassas the same night about twelve /
o'clock arriving there on Wednesday morning about
ten O'Clock. We left Manassas the same evening 1
for Richmond, and arrived here about six O'Clock
on Thursday morning.
We are quarteree in large tobacco warehouse,
where the prisoners taken st the battle Of Bull 4
Run quartered. The accommodations are not 1
equal to those of the Continental, but they might
be much worse than they are.
We are furnished with rstions of bread and fresh
meat daily, both of which are exceedingly good,
and no one is in any danger Of starving. For ex~
trss we viii form messes and get whatever We can
as long our money holds out.
A drawing has taken place setting apart certain
prisoners to be dealt with in the same manser as
the captured privsteersmen at the North.
Lieutenant Hooper says that the prisoners are
Of the opinion that the priTsteersmen viii not be
hung,
William q. Harris, prisoner in one OF the Rich
nODd fsctories, draws the following pquant sketch
If the prison scenes and characters