Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-02-05
Items from Richmond.

Oner It RICHMOND, has related To us some
incidents connected with his captivity
which may be of interest to the public
The prisoners were not entirely released,
but signed a parole of honor not to Ike
up arms against the Southern Confederacy
until exchanged or otherwise freed from
their obligation.
Immediately after the retreat of our for
ces at the battle Of Bull Run the rebels
were drawn up in line and addressed by
Davis, who thanked them for the courage
they displayed lin firing from under cover
Of the woods exhorted them TO redoubled
efforts, and concluded his harangue by ex-
claiming, CHOW for Washington They
then moved forward about half mile and
encamped, concluding not to take Wash
ington just then. In few days the pris-
oners were taken by raj road to Richmond,
where the wounded were sent to the hospi-
tails, and the Others to the tobacco ware
house prisons. Here they were huddled
together in close confinement, and subjected
TO all manner of insults and indignities.-
At first they did not receive kind word
or act, but by degrees the Union spirit de-
veloped itself, and they were frequently
cheered by the present Of books, maya
zines, DC, and assured that they would
soon be released. They were frequently
shot at through the windows by the guard.
On one occasion when two Of the prison
ers were washing themselves in back
room after dark, the outside guard watched
until they came between him and the light,
took deliberate aim and fred at them,
wounding one so that he died in short
time, and breaking the others arm. The
next day this assassin was promoted to the
rank Of sergeant for his brave conduct in
shooting two worse than defenceless men!
Such is Southern chiyalry Capt. Todd,
Mrs. President Lincoln's brother, who was
captain Of the post at Richmond, exercised
unusual cruelty towards the prisoners -
We give two instances. There was an or
der requiring the lights in the prison to be
extinguished by nine o'clock at given sig
nal. One evening prisoner was sitting
on the floor by a lighted candle rubbing
MS feet. When the signal was given to
put out the lights he did not instantly COM
IDLY. Todd saw the faint light, rushed up
stairs, broke into the room and with an
oath thrust bis sword through the calf of
the prisoners leg, turning it as he drew it
out, cutting a horrible cash. At another
time this villain was calling the roll, as was
the custom every morning; one Of the
prisoners was lying on the floor when his
name was called and did not get up. Todd
went to HIM ana DroKe our WIN, "You
id Yankee son Of a --, why don't
you fall into the ranks - The soldier an
swered, II can't: I'm sick" AT this Todd
drew his sword and struck him across the
side Of the head, cutting hole in his
skull. lie then compelled him to stand
in the ranks until they were through, and
left him, not even calling the eurgeon.
The prisoners had various ways for
passing away the time, such as theatres, "
ceums, courts of justice, DC. When one
of their number stole or committed any
other offence against his fellows, he was
arrested, taken before His Honor, young
lawyer Of Brooklyn, N. Y, tried, and, if
convicted, sentenced to mop the floor, or
something of that kind. They carved
great many rings, watch hooks, &c, out Of
bone, which they sold to the rebel officers
and citizens, taking their pay in shinplas-
tiers, with which they procured what they
wanted. They could get seven dollars in
shinplasters for five dollar U. s. Treasu-
~ Note! They rebel soldiers, when asked
whether they were going to re-enlist at
the expiration Of their time OF not, almost
invariably answered, "No; we are going
home or going to dep They were mostly
enlisted for one year. The rebels made
great sport Of the blockade when it was
first established, and were quite confident
that England would soon raise it. But the
high price Of tea, coffee, boots and shoes,
and hundreds of other necessary articles,
together with the pacific termination Of the
Mason and Slidel affair, have reduced
item to despair. They are surrounded by
a rayless gloom, and it is evidens the end
is drawing nigh. The only eatable they
have ia abundance is beef. the main sup
ply Of which comes from Texas. General
Lanes expedition will put stop to this
and they look upon the prospect before
them with dismay. The reign Of terror
begins to break away, and the murmurs Of