Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-11-07
Ftom the Norfolk Day Book

ToRvel satiOn with the Isattsras ri isoners.
Through the krd invitation of Dr. Clements, of the
firm of Odom Il Clements, who very generously opened
his doors to them, permitted Thursday evening
to spend few hours 10 conversation with number OF
the Hatteras prisoners, who arrived here that day
en- route for their homes.
These men had much to communicate OF an interest
ing character least to u.s. and believing that it will
prove equally to readers here give much of
their conversation as now remember.
They represent much dissatisfaction among the Fede-
raj troops and state that many of them endorse the
on of the South and hope for her ultimate success
In proof of the existence Of such state OF feeling they
relate that attempt made by of the Fede-
raj soldiers at Old Point to blow up the magazine there
by of a train of powder which they had succeed
cd in laying but which discovered before cppor
unity was had to FIRE it. They also state that quite
number of the Northern soldiers expressed desire,
their departure, go South with them, and regretted
exceedingly the circumstances WHICH prevented their so
doing.
There are seven guns mounted on the Rip Raps-one
of them a rife and the others Coumbiads. The old
Sawyer Gun mounted the platform, ard is used
pivot gun 1t was placed there to do service the
Merrmac, which they believe to De completed and only
waiting favorable opportunity 20 make her appearance.
The big Union GUn also at tie Rip Raps. but not
mounted.
The number OF men at tie Point is estimated at G.
00O. At The Rip Raps there are but hundred and
seventy From overheard conversation among
them, the fact CLEANED that they regard twenty
thousand men amply sufficient to drive them from the
Fort and tear very much attempt upon part to
do so. Before the prisoners, however, they very
loud in their boaSugs of what they bad done and what
they could do. Especially did they hrag rpon the e-
feels Of their gus upon eewes Point asserting that
on three occasions they had driven the entirely
away from the battery there and that they could have
taken possession of it with the greatest ease, but they
did lot wish TO DO so, it place OF minor i'm.
portance and not worth possessing themselves Of Poor
fellows tie cat didn't want the cheese after being fully
satisfied that it impossible for her to reach 1t.
Among the various little ADJUSTMENTS for cur men
while at the Rip Raps none seemed to please them more
than the seeing OF numbers of the Northern deinquens
with ball and chain attached TO their feet, rolling
wheelbarrows Of coal One of them relates that ed.
tod him if he didn't behave himself they would do him
| in tie same way, whereupon he told him they would
have to kill him first and he added meant it too, for
should prefer death any time to those iron things about
my legs"
| The notorious Charles Henry Foster is at the Rip
Raps-s neakrg around in bis usual hang-dog manner.
He had tie impudence and lack OF manllness to make
disbonorabe proposition to men there, which they
prevented from properly resisting on account OF
the circumstances under which they placed They
have him marked however, and the time may come
when they will have an Itunity Of wreaking their
vengeance upon him. The proposition to which we re-
fer was that they decline any farther alliance with the
South, and enlist soldiers under the stars and
stripes" We are happy, bowever,sto be able to say
that while the prisoners themselves not at liberty
ton, yet they had the satisfaction of witnessing the NOR
tcaton Of FOs err stoned by preremptory order
from the officer in command o. the Rip Raps forbid
ding him to utter such language and inmating that
none but coward would take such occasion to make
such proposition.
Foster plead as IS an excuse for his conduct that he
had been instructed to make the proposition by Geo.
WOOL this the officer fatty denied, and afterwards told
the men to resist such suggestion if made to them
again.
Two deserters from ranks joined the enemy at the
Rip Raps, short while before men left. They were
both Georgiaps and deserted from Magruders forces
One of them had note the Southwestern Bank,
which be supposed to be worthless, and tried to get clear
Of it by passing it the Haeras prisoners for its full
equivalent Failing in this, he offered to sell it for
dollar 1t purchased and the buyer reaching
here, Thursday, had the satisfaction OF finding that he
had made good thing of t-inasmuch as he had Sc
cured FIVE dollars for We note this for the especial
qualification of the party at the Rip Raps and hope he
may have the satisfaction of reading it. Perhaps he
may yet learn that "honesty is the best policy and not
try again take advantage, he supposes of the IL
norant
"Dixie's Land" it seems, is an air so much admired
by the Feds, that they cannot bear the idea OF giving
it up, and informant states that be asked a
number OF times, while among them to sing it. Iii re-
GREETED with that lie did Ut do sointr0duciDg the
little affair Bull Run BY the way speaking of Bull
Run, reminds us that while men were in Castle Will
liam, at New York, passengers the boats would take
0ccaSDl @Dtb passing tueTe, 10 laDaNHo lHtut WIN
cheers 'or Hatteras iiey bore it patiently for some
time but finally regarding forbearance no longer a
virtue, they rel cd to these cheers, OCCASION by
singh out: Three cheers for Bull Run After that
boats passed noiseessy funeral procession and
no more cheers were heard for Hatteras.
1t seems that the Northern soldiers regard the South
having the best officers and make hesitation 10
serting The same, whenever opportunity presents
They have bestowed title upon Beauregard, and
alude to him as the " Old Swamp Fox" meanDg by
this suppose that he is cunning enough to perceive
al, their piaus, and wise enough to tbWart them.
Everything is represented as being carried on with
? the greatest activity at the Point Practice with guns
had every day, aud every disposition is manifested to
acquire military knowledge,-a OF which will, of course
ou the first Occas0u result 10 move rot indeed laid
down by Scott. but nevertheless performed by his
, with expertness heretofore unknown we mean the
double Qllck ICtrOgraCe.
Tn report which reached US with reference TO the
stopping OF The feet at The Horse Shoe, aud
wh2h gave the adler day two since, it az
correct he vessels stopped there fOr short hP
or what purpose is not kno~n--and aIterwad put to
. sea expedition Of them going up the bay
The returned prisoners report that they left quite
number OF their comrades sick and state that there bas
sixteen deaths among them since they left Halter
t as. The disease prevailing among them, is form
4 typhoid.
G When they left Hateras the prisoners left behind
them ali their wearing apparel and consequently $1,000
" very much in need OF clothing arriving at N Y rk
and being 10 strange country aIaOpg strangers, the
did not know, fer while, what they should do, hos
with whom we ,2nverced state however that tbei
wants. in this respect had all been supplied aud express
I'd their Indebtedness for the clothing they then
+ their Captain L. L. Clements, brother Of the Drs b.
+ the way, who had procured the same for them.
The released express much satisfaction at being
again 10 Dixe's land. They left Friday morning in tn
4 cars for Weldon, and doubtless more a
; their homes among the loved ones there.
WHAT LINcoIN's BLOCKADE IS WoRTH-We under
stand that the War Department has furnished to one
the foreign Consuls in this city, official list of tn