The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-10
A Talk with a Rebel.

From the Philadelphia Press esd =.
While strolling around the Union Re
freshment Saloon, a few evenings since, we
unexpectedly heard shout from the sur
rounding throng, '.Here comes the Rebel
prisoners Here they comet" Finding
it much easier to be borne along with the
crowd than to stem current so irresistible
as hundreds of excited people, down we
went to the cars, with their rebellious bur-
dens to the wharf; for this time impelled
by sympathetic curiosity, quite as strong
as the most enthusiastic spectator. Pro-
ceeding over blocks, huge pebbles, or rather
boulders, railway tracks, formidable arrays
of crinOline, we halted at the car next to
the engine. The cars having stopped, the
swaying multitude paused, the rebels thrust
their heads from the windows, and, prac-
tically, save the wagging ofa few loqua-
cious peanut and lemonade woman, there
was complete s'rest, f" a la militaire.
More conspicuous than his fellow pri-
soners, was young man with a finely
chiseled face, searching intelligent black
eyes, and evenly developed forehead, lean
ing carlessly out of the car window, taking
aview of the Illuminated Volunteer Re
freshment Saloon. Around him and his
comrades were the people. Each looked
at the other, prisoner and spectators,
speechlessly, until ''Southron" asked
eWhat place is that sir, lighted ups
tsThat, replied citizen, sis the Vol
unteer Refreshment Saloon, where the
Union soldiers are fed on their way to and
from the war;
Rebel. 1t is very comfortable looking
establishment sir,
Citizen. Yes it is. Wouldn't you like
to be Union soldier?
Rebel l would have no objection for
about half an hour, sir.
Citizen. Do you belong to a fighting
regiment?
Rebel. l belong, sir, to South Carroll
ma regiment.
At this point, the pressing, pushing and
crOwding became so violent, from the anx-
iety of the people to catch every syllable
uttered by the intelligent young rebel, that
fortunately, we were very snugly pushed
against the Car, directly under the rebel,
so that we lost not word. After slight
pause another citizen asked the rebel
Where are you from?
Rebel l am native of South Carolina,
sir, but enlisted from Macon, Georg !,
where / was employed as clerk.
The name of South Carolina startled an
enthusiastic Emralder from his repose, who
said: 'sThat is the State we are going to
sink" I'D rrii4k ia
Rebel. That may be, sir, but there is
not South Carolinian living who will
not gladly sink with her.
To which sharp but vulgar little boy
replied: CHOW your only blowing"
Rebel Gentlemen. | am prisoner by
the mischance of war, for it is one of the
misfOrtunes of war to become prisoner,
and i hope you will not insult me. We
are entirely at your mercy, and ask only
that you treat us like men. We have been
treated we'll by your soldiers, and though
we don't expect citizens to act like soldiers
do to each other, yet we hope that you will
not unprovokedly insult us.
Citizen. You shouldn't mind that re-
mark; it was only made by boy.
Rebel Our soldiers always treat your
prisoners well, sir. .is. raa4
Citizen. Not at Richmond! u
Rebel. In Richmond the citizens may
have treated the Federal prisoners badly,
but / am sure the soldiers could not do it,
for, as far as my observation extends-and
it has been large-the soldiers on both
sides uniformly treat their prisoners kindly.
Citizen. What division of the rebel
army were you in? tn ia - r
Rebel. was in Gen. A. P. Hills di-
vision, sir, and Gen. Jackson's corps of the
Confederate army. 4.n J .,
Citizen. Then you were in the fight
with Pope 800. go. ;a,.,,. e..,.
Rebel. Yes, sir, for nineteen days, we
were either following the Federal army OF
they were following us, so there was al
ways fighting alternately from the rear.
Citizen. Then you have seen some SER
vice?. go. ,..s ..,-e.a a..,,s. .,e
Rebel. have, sir, since the assault Of
| Fort Sumter. After the evacuation Of
Fort Moultrie, Twas there and assisted to
| make it stronger than it ever was. / have
been. Constantly on the field since, and,
| including Il the, last battle of Manassas,
where ] was taken prisoner by the 10th
Pennsylvania Regiment, have been in
fourteen engagements. i'as..issy
Citizen. / should think you were pref.
ty tired Of war? .
| Rebel. Well, sir, left comfortable
| home from sincerity of conviction. l have
put up. with privations to which ! have
never been accustomed, but don't com