New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-14
THE REBEL PRISONERS ON GOVERNORS
ISLAND.

On Thursday we stepped on board the propeller,
which plies between the Revenue Dock and Cover
por's Island where we met Surveyor Andrews, Col.
+. 4. Howe, X. G. Swan, esq, +. L. Wellington,
eco, and two or three gentlemen of the press. We
found no obstacles in the way of our visit 20 Castle
Williams but were strictly forbidden 10 speak to
the Rebel prisoners. Col. LOOMS detailed a polite
Lieutenant 70 accompany us about the cattle j.
was dinner time, and the Rebels, whose aIpetites
seem 20 have sharpened since their confinement on
the Island, were cTowdlng pushing, and Glowing
their way toward the "hcsL-pos and bread.troughs"
with more zeal than they ever entered the field Of
battle They may be slow in charge and swift in
retreat, but they certainly are valiant at the
treDcher.' Since they landed, many OF them have
found friends and relatives and even sympath7ers in
this city, who have furnished them with money and
clothing and delicaciCs. We have been credibly
informed that nearly $lo,0O0 las been dsbursed 70
these Seeessionsts since their arrival here. We
not permitted to speak to them, and after look
ing at them closely had no desire 10 do With
exceptional cases, they ignorant and vulgar men,
hatred of the North is only surpassed by their
devotion 10 the peculiar institution. \ few are
friendly the Union, and are glad to escape from the
camps Of SeCesma. Some who were pressed into
the service at the point of the bayOne always rejoice
20 hear Of the triumph Of our arms; but The great
majority sullen obstinate and persistent enemies
70 the Federal Government.
Their eonveTsa ion, their songs, their correspond
ence, and the manner in which they watch Tor OPP
portunities to escape 70 Dixies Land" prove
their hearty disoyalty aud absolute hatred of our
institutions. While we We're present they sang,
Look Away 10 Dixie's Land, making full stop
N their dinner 10 assure that, though they were
captured they were not converted.
Undoubtedly many of them are delighted with
their ratiOns ard tnelr lodgings, Imprisonment hav
lng improved their harder ana their shelter. They
fare az our men fare, with the exception while
men slesp under tents hey sleep under the roof Of
castle. Notwithstanding the Improvements made in
the wardrobe OF some OF these men, more than hal1
Of them are worse-looking than the army Fastaff
was ashamed TO lead through Coventry. Aqua purs
Is free and abundant but scores Of these Rebels,
Judging from their appearance, are ike the wag
who refused to touch or taste water, because since
The Flood II tastes Of sinners They are ragged and
do not mend their clothes; their clothes are dirty,
and thew do not wash them. II silt says gentle
man NAV be seen through the holes in his coat; he
might have added, so may pauper. 1t Is evident
many Of these Rebels have not been accustomed TO
decent clothing.
From the roof we looked upon more than thou
sand OF these men-a motley crew-whose tattered
and faded garments, STOPPING forms and small heads,
badly poised over feeble bodies, gave strange al-
pearanoe In strong contrast with the erect frames
square shoulders and finely developed physique OF
our own Union prisoners, five hundred OF whom
were upon the Island gnXiously waiting for the OPP
porunity TO return to their homes and prepare for
another brQeh with the enemy. We were not per-
mtted to see any OF the Sccesh officers aud justice
REQUIRES us TO say further that here and there
tied among the Rebels face Lit up with intelh'
gence.
longing 10 North Carolina regiments now held a:
prisoners Of war in Fort Columbus, on Governor
Col C. NJ Avery Capt. 7. w. Mayhew ed Regiment
,o1, r. A. Hsudser 35d Regiment Fin Lieut. Wheeler La
thans Battery Second Lieut. John Anderson $50 Regiment
= W. viBscn, 26th Regiment MAJOR D. Love 18th Resi
nent Capis. W w. speer n. Stevens Geo. B. johnson
Fst Lieut.. ~ Bohsnnan Second Lieuis c. Scott NJ. A
Thornsbug 18th Regiment, Csp r. W. Blown 18th Regi
nenti Capt d. Y Esrthing First Lieut.. l. Steele j
These officers are all in excellent health, and con
fined in the pleasantest and most healthiul locality
III our vicinity.
THE UNION PRISONERS ON GOVERNORS ISLAND
Leaving the Rebel prisoners, who struck up the
fsvorie air of the South, Dixes Land, j" and sang
IT with a will and without rebuke from any source
ne we left the Castle yard We fastened TO the tent'
Of our brave boys, who have been confined in jaili
and barns and tobacco warehouses at the South
who have been half starved and shot al for looking
out Of the windows Of their prison-who have been
compelled by hunger 10 perform harder tasks than
The Hebrews did, when they were commanded to
make bricks and the Egyptians refused to furnish
straw. These men manufactured ornaments out Of
the beef bones found in their short ration and these
ornaments they sold, and thus kept soul and body
together. We found them in the neigbborhOod Of
their tents, and III response 10 an invitation they
collected under the shadow Of some trees on the
Island when Surveyor Andrews introduced Col.
Howe, who made happy and eloquent speech,
which was cheered 10 the echo. lie assured these
noble fellows that their services were appreciated by
grateful and patriotic people, who were willing TO
make any sacrifice needed for their relief.
ne al ~ BFOadW ne found. K
ing an inventory, that the benevolent had placed az
the disposal of the Relief Association 800 suits Of
clothing, and the Government has supplied ratiOns
and means Of transportation. Every loyal seDtI
ment and the complimentary reference to the pari-
otto ladies Of New-YOrk, excited the hearty cheers
OF these heroic men.
Surveyor Andrews being called upon, arose and
expressed in a " few words fifty spoken" the wish
that the men who so richly deserved the gratitude Of
their country, might receive their pay, and be
able 10 return once TO their fresdes and their
frends At the close of the speech cheers were
given for the speakers, for the Union, and for the
President.
The released pr oners from Salisbury, North
Carolina, who ar. Ow encamped on Governor
leland, will receive their pay In day or two.
majority Of these belonged to militia regiments,
and were taken prisoners at Bull Run. They num-
Der about nine hundred. Many Of them, on their
arrival here went Immediately 10 their homes, but
they are now all the island, where they VIII be
detained until they regularly mustered OUT ana
Maid Off Each man will receive 81 10, with $50 ad-
ditional for clothing. The total amount 10 be paid
them will be $l6i 100 As soon a. they are mus
,ered out they will be forwarded 10 their homes
GEN, MCCLELLAN AND CASEY'S DIVISION.
HKADQUAkrERs AMY THE POToAAc.{
June :, l3oI-ll Z. L.