The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-14
hsoolleotions OF the Bull Run Battle.

heoolIections OF the Bull Run Battle.
Corporal Merrill, returned Bull Run
prisoner, recently returned from Richmond,
is relating his experiences in the Rochester
IN. ~ Egpress. From some pretty good
stories the corporal tells, we select the fol-
lowing
ALEX. STEVENS.
Speaking OF visitors, among them was the
dapper Vice President of the bogus Con-
federacy, Mr.. Alexander Stevens. There
were number of Georgians confined in the
hospital, and Mr.. Stevens called to inquire
after their welfare. He is foppish little
fellow with long straight hair and beard
less face; wears his hat at an acute angle,
sports switch cane and Byron collar,
and might be mistaken, at a glance, for a
broken down theatre actor. l think he
would probably turn the scale at 125 lbs.
if he bore down very hard. He is of re-
served demeanor, but agreeable in CONVEX
sation, and while talking with the prisoners
he seemed to studiously avoid any remark
that could be supposed to injure their feel
lngs. He visited US quite often.
TREACHEROUs EDITOR.
We were also honored" with call from
the editor of the Richmond Dispatch who
came in disguise, and RECALLED the prisoners
with plug tobacco and cigars, protested the
deepest sympathy, and was exceedingly in
quisitive. The day following he spread be.
fore his readers an account of bis observa-
tions at the hospital, wherein be took oc.
casion to denounce us iD the most unsparing
terms. Tray, Blanche and Sweetheart
joined in the demOniac yoarl and for sea.
son little else was advocated by the Rich.
mond press, then a proposition to remove
the " lazy Yankees to the coal mines as
soon as their wounds were healed, and COM
pei them to work for their living. The
editor of the Dispatch subsequently re-
newed his visit, and was recognized. The
boys, however, proiessed to regard him as
a stranger, but took occasion to introduce
the said editor as a topic of discussion and
berated him to their satisfaction. Believ-
ing himself unknown, be bore it without
remonstrance, but did not remain long, and
we never looked upon his like again.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
We had visitors of every class. I was
leaning upon the balcony one day, when an
elderly lady approached me, saying that she
desired to pass into the ward where the
Confederate patients were confined, but she
did not want to see any of the "horrid YAM
KEGS" | had understood that the popular
superstition respecting the Federal soldiers
savOred Of horns and claws but not cals
culating the effect of sudden disclosure I
remarked in winning accents and with the
pleasantest distortion of countenance OF
which my facial muscles were susceptible,
that was beast of Ephesus myself !!
The disclosure seemed to take effect in the
pit of the lady's stomach, for after a mo-
mentary collapse, she wildly flung up her
arms, excaimiDg "O-yah.ugh" and van
ished.
sPRIG OF CHIvALRY.
On every Sunday the outskirts of the
prison were thronged with visitors, who
had come upon a staring expedition, and
seemed amply repaid it they obtained
glipse of the Yankees. Barnum's Mu-
scum would have passed for a side show in
comparison with hospital attraction. Upon
one occasion was standing at the window
with companion, when we were accosted
by savage looking fellow in planters
hat, and very genteely dressed, who asked
me If 1 had had enough of Bull Run? l
replied by inquiring if he was there? No
he was not. 81 supposed not" said L,
I" for any one who could insult prisoner is
too cowardly to go where there is any dam
ger"
/ regretted this observation, for it was
no sooner uttered than the prancing fire.
eater emitted the most sulphurous volley of
oaths that I had heard On the "sacred
SOIL" Fuming and snorting with wrath
he paced backward and forward, his gilt
tering eye
'ln fine frenzy rolling"
till having collected himself for second
attack, he exclaimed, swell, you belong to
the Confederates now-you are in our
powerw
My companion asked him if he belonged
to the Confederates. eyes," he rejoined
with emphasis, ~ do"
"Well, what does your master ask for
you 2" said the former.
This was sad blow to the "chivalric"
OOutuCIuCIs WIN was Vi ou6plCIouciy UU1h
complication, and certainly could not be clas-
sed among "poor white trash" To add to
his discontinue the bystanders laughed as
heartily as the "Yankees." The only re-
source of our rabid friend was to cast out
another valley of oaths, but before be could
do justice to his subject, he was walked off
by the guard.
A DISCOVERY.
At one extremity of the room on the
second floor was small enclosure which
had formerly been used as an Office, and in
which the proprietors of the mandatory
had stored a quantity of tobacco, and
barrel of sweetened rum used for favoring
the same. The door of the mystic chamber
had been nailed up, but sundry reconnoi-
sances thereabout had established the TACT
above noted. A saw was accordingly man~
ufactured from an old case.knife, and with
this rough implement an entrance was effect
ed and the contents of the room confsca-
ted" for the benefit of loyal citizens. l am
confident that some Of the prisoners appro"
priated sufficient quantity OF Old Vir-
ginia Twist" to meet their necessities for
mapy months; and as to the sweeteued