The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-08
Especial Cor. to the Missouri Dem.


AS / informed you by telegraph, Capt.
McKenny arrived Yesterday from Van
Buren,. bringing with him ten of our
commissioned officers, twenty Ave non
commissioned officers and two hundred
aud four priyates. liberated from custody
as prisoners of war, by the exchange of
an equal number of confederates, rank for
rank, on the basis of Gen. Halleck's order.
/ inclsse list for publication, Of all re-
turned, for the qualification of the many
friends interested, and anxious to learn of
their safe arrival. Several deaths among
our prisoners had occurred on the route
to Van Buren,, and at the latter place,
but / have been unable to procure cor
rect list Of those thus deceased.
The men returned seemed to be in good
spirits, and their arrival in camp was
greeted with numerous demonstrations of
qualification. Ihear no serious complaint
made Of the treatment received during
their captivity; in one instance those
confined at Fort Smith were made to pay
the sooundrel guards for the beef express
=ly provided for their rations, those hav-
ing no money having consequently to do
without but when the rsscallity praoticed
became known to Gen. Price, the latter
very soon put stop to it. The famani-
ty and kindness Of Gen. Price ma very
generally spoken Of in terms Of praise
Capt. McKenny was received with al due
attention, at headquarters.
Gen. Price was suffering from the
wound in his arm, having treated it at
FIRST as comparatively slight, and he neg
lected for two days to have it dressed. -
The Captain was introduced to Mr.. Tuck
or. Of the Army Argus, who had just re-
turned to Van Buren,, and intends to 70
sumo the publication Of his paper, which
for several weeks has been suspended. l.
He was also introduced to Ex-senator
Trusten Polk, but Claib. Jackson, who
was said to DO in the vicinage, was not
met with. The Confederate headquarters
was at Log Town, on the frst terrace this
side Of Van Buren,. learn from Capt.
McKenny that the country from Sugar
Creek to point thirty miles beyond Fay
etteville, has become nearly depopulated,
the inhabitants having 1t different times
fed in alarm. Provisions of ill kinds ara
entirely consumed. Three roads pass
over the Boston Mountains from Fayette-
vile, viz: the Frog Bayou, Cove Creek
and Telegraph or State road. All these
routes present the Same picture of DESC
lation, caused by the scourgs Of civil war.
Vegetakion on the opposite side Of the
mountain was much more forward than
was seen on this side. Peach trees, on
the 18th, were in full bloom, numerous
flowers were seen, and grain in some Of
the fields was six inches high.
The telegraph wires have been taken
down to within fifteen miles Of Fayette-
vile. coming iihis way from Van Bulsa.
ITEMS or NEWS FROM THE REBEL CAMP
Captain McKenny can Of course give
no information Of contraband nature in
compatible with his mission. / have
cleaned some items Of interest from other
sources.
Robert A. Lee is now General-in- Chief
Of oil the Confederate forces.
Gen. Jsmcs Harding has been created
Qsartermaster on Gen. Prices staff,
with the rank Of Lieutenant Colonel,
General Price received HE commission
Of Major General dating the 9th Of March.