Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-17

AN army correspondent of the Savannah Republican,
gives the folio wing conversation having taken place
between General Beauregard and General Prentiss,
Federal General captured at the battle of Shiloh on last
Sunday week. The correspondent writes from the
Battlefield of Shiloh seventeen miles East OF Cor
inth) Sunday night, April 6th 1862" and among other
things says -
| witnessed the arrival and presentation of General
Prentss, who was taken by staff officer or officers of
Gen. Polk, and conducted to the latter, who sent him.
with his compliments, Immediately to Gen. Beauregard
The following is the substance of the conversation that
eusued after they had shaken hands
Prentiss.-Wel, sir we have felt your power to-day,
and have had to yield
Beauregard-That is natural, sir You could not
expect it to be otherwise. We are fighting for our
homes for our wives and children for generations TO
come after u.s. and for liberty itself. Why does your
government thus war upon u.s. and seek US upon our
own soil
Prentss.-Our people have never yet been able to
bring themselves to consent to the MON broken up
Such thing has not entered into our calculations and
cannot.
Beauregard.-The Union is already broken, and the
last man, woman and child in the South will willingly
perish before it shall be restored What force have you
had engaged to-day?
Prentiss.-Six divisions, numbering little over T..
600 each-the whole not amounting to more than 49,.
600. Gen. Grant commands, assisted by Gems. Sher-
man, McCernan, HurlOurt, Wallace, and myself
Gen. Smith is sick, and has not been upon the field
My division was the first to receive your attack aud
were not properly supported if we had BEEN the day
might have gone otherwise. Therehas beer mismanage
ment somewhere. Had been supported In time, we
should have broken your centre at the tins we stopped
your advance.
Beauregard-You are mistaken General My order
OF battle SUCH that if you had even penetrated the
centre of front line, it would only have been to en-
counter certain destruction would have cut you to
pieces Has Gen. Buell. arrived, and what are bis
forces?
Prentiss, (hesitating III do not know where Gen
Buell. ISL or the mum 2er of his forces have heard be
was at Nashville, and then at Columbia, and also that
he the road We do not look for him under
fortyelght hours. fear you will capture the greater
part of our army this side Of the river You have
met and overcome to-day the best troops we have.
Beauregard.-l am glad to hear it, and trust that
the result of this days work may bring your govern
ment to frame of mind more favorable to peace
Prentss.-Ihat can hardly be, sir If your army
had pushed on after the battle OF Manassas it might
have taken Washington, and the North, and
brought US to peace. We had insufficient supply of
arms then, and were not prepared. The muskes pur-
chased in Belgium by Fremont were of but little &C.
count; you could turn your thumb 10 tie muzze the
bore was so large. We also procured from England the
old that have been stored away as useless in Lon
don Tower ever since the war with Napoleon in 1915.
They are OF no value whatever 1t is only within the
last sixty days that we have become thoroughly and
efficiently armed. Cur supply is now ample,
anu we cannot be overcome Your govern
ment has made two mstakes-frst, in not awaiting it.
self OF the fruits of the battle of Manassas and second
y, in waiting until we had become well armed AMI
gained. We have now 100000 men in camps OF in
sructon, who will be brought upon the field as they
may be needed. We do not doubt the final result
Beauregard.-Nor do we. Our cause is Just, and
tod will yet give US the victory.
Prentiss.-We know you have able officers and
spirited army to back them, bot our confidence is firm
And permit me to add, General, that among all the
Confederate officers no is so great a favore with
us as yourself Such is my own feeling, and that OF
cur army and people.
Beauregand.-You are very kind, sir !; but we have
much better officers than I Gen. Sidney Johnston
AID Gen. Joseph Johnston both my superiors in
ability as well 10 ranks. have served under both OF
them most cheerfulIy, and know them we'll. care
nothing for rank; the good of my country is what look
to.
Other observations were made, but the foregoing
embraces the chief points of the interview. Gen. Prem
tss was easy and pleasant, and not at all depressed
Apparently too, lie quite candid and yet thought
detected disposition to evade if not to deceive, 10
his reply to the whereabouts and forces of Buell..
believe that Buell. is at hand. 1t is to be hoped
am mistaken, and that our men, who have already
fought twelve long hours, may not have to encounter
II fresh force tomorrow.