The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-23
THE REBELLION.
OPERATIONS or GENERAL MClsllAN's ARMY.
DIR WESTERN VIRGINIA CORRESPONDENTS.

YYsu q, Rebel Prisonersssatement If Georgia Sergeant
Hk Opiaion Of General Garnet and tie Political Ques-
tons Of the Day, de- de-
Through tho Kindness Of Col Fuller the commandment OF
his roa visited day OF the rebel prisoners cap
tured at tho fight at Carrcks Ford The party that
visited consisted Of twenty four, all VrgniaDs with The
exception of Gcorgans father and son. and of whom
shall speak fully hereafter. Tho prisoners were
quarored conAncd in apartment Of the National
Hotel sort of third class hotel Tho prisoners were
furnished with good hay to lie on, and raons
OF le quality and quantity provided as that given
our own troops The prisoners were dressed IN oil sorts
of uniforms from dirty gray down to pea green, made
up ihtu blouses, short jackets and dress coats These
rebels very uncouth looking party with unshorn
boards and knotsy long hair. In conversation they
betrayed great ignorance and seemed TO have been the
more automatons to be used by other hands
The Georgian to whom before referred was IN excep
ton TO all these and although somewhat guarded aud re-
eervod in conversation succeeded in cleaning few facts
from him connected with in the rebel army
and his subsequent experience until the retreat Of his reg
ment Laurel iIil tho light at Carrcss Ford at
which no was made prisoner. He said his name was
Samuel D. Kien of Perry, Georgia, and in civil life was
practising lawyer at that place. In the latter part OF
April utmo he enlisted for twelve months in the FIRST
Eeorgia Volunteer regiment, Colonel j. N. Ramsey. The
regiment principally raised in Macon and numbered
the Augusta arsenal they Of the smooth bore pat
Tern quite new, and gave general satisfaction in
About the s May the regiment proceeded to Pensacola
where they remained until the latter part OF May, when
they received orders and proceeded by rail to Richmond
From Richmond they proceeded to Staunton, and on
Tho l4th Of June last marched for Laurel Hill
Al the latter place they reinforced the three
Virginia regiments stationed there under the respective
commands of Colonies Jackson Tadero and Tyson which,
with his regiment comprised force Of about four thou
sand men, with six Held pieces OF which was riaed
cannon. The entire force under the command Of
Brigader General Robert 5. Garrett Tho position where
they encamped and ntrenched themselves was an
elevated aud very eligible one, where they had plenty
OF fresh and good comRissarat from which they
sgerc furnished with abundance Of wholesome raiions
His regiment with the Others before mentioned,
manned at Laurel Hill engaged in the various routine and
camp duties-drilng, &c.-until Thursday, the 18th
inst, when the entire force ordered TO prepare
10 march, General Garnet under tho impression
chat he about being surrounded by Union troops.
cy left the encampment and marched all day Friday
and Saturday, unmoestod, over rocky and muddy
roads, amid a drenching rain, crossing creeks and
boys en- route for Beverly. When within four or
i've miles Of that place they made a copntcrmarch
30 a. to approach the town the right hand
side Of the direction in which they approaching it,
They rss encountered iho Union troops under General
Morris, falling In their Csrrcks Ford Cheat
river. AT this point portion Of the rebels made
porary stand, with view to hold the Union troops in
Check until those In advance could make good their re-
Great Detachmens Of the rebels aernated in engaging
thc Union troops, thus aording all equal chance
secure their personal effects In their retreat The vir
gina troops general thing did display much pluck
and was only by the Gliding and urgent solicitation of
Aher officers they could be induced face the fire
Union troops. The engagement lasted about twenty
minutes, when tho rebels beat pccpitae retreat fol-
lowed closely by the Union troops. The rebel sergeant
had been SICK but was convalesccnt, and hot able
keep pace with his command aud hence was obliged TO
fall out of the ranks into tho roadside where he concealed
himsolf until two O'Clock NJ when he his son who
was private soldier in the regiment, discovered
themselves TO the troops of General Morris the
were following up the retreat Of the rebels were
taken in charge and subsequently, this place for
tsi disposal.
In abiding TO General Garnott the gean said he was
! Eyranncal, arbitrary, imperative man. with melan.
holy mood Of counenance though in constant media
I'm. He was generally disiked by the rebel troops
The rebel sergeant 10 recurring to his experience
laurel Hill, says that the Union forces menaced their
position for several days before tho retreat in
stance inferior number Of Georgans occupied position
on the brow OF hill for two days, against a superior
force OF Union troops, and at time engaged
seven consecutive hours and they only abandoned the
position because General Garrett deemed possession Of
AT another time Union scouting party of abon thirty
men came near surprising the sergeants entire company
who were then out on picket duty the right of wood
but from Laurel Hill HIS had grounded arms and
were divertng themselves best they could
hhen they saw body Of men approaching,
each wearing badge his coat resembling
a symbol Of a truce. The strangers turned
out to DO party of Union outs who approached within
nifty yards of the rebel pckcs, driving the whole party
tptp camp but without woanding any IF them.
The sergeant was incidentally informed that there was
probability Of his Liberation in few days in pursuance
OF orders from the War Department provided he
subscribe TO the oath of allegiance the United States
He spurned the idea Of liberation these conditions be-
cause he considered himself de faco and de
foreign country and could not without committing act
OF treason TO his government subscribe such oath
When interroSated still further ne sad States Of
Che South had together formed govern
ent ThoseStses separated themselves from the North
believing they had an inherent right, superior the
United states constitution which they will to the
oeath He said the South is permanently beyond posi-.
ofty n q union with the Northern States, and he re-
9arded the present war only Of snbtigation. He
would give his parole Of honor up arms against
be Untod States during the present war and would
tgouSy observe his obgaon but no would rather suffer
death and the dungeon before he would subscribe ale
glance 10 the United States.