Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-05-10
From the Memphis Appeal l7th-corrospondenc
Reported Interview betvVeen Gems. Benure
gard and PrentisG.

The fatigac of the afternoon was relieved
| by the arrival from time to time of the cap
tured regimental colors and prisoners, o
which we have between four and five thou
sand. The highest in rank is Gen Prentiss
| had the good fortune to be present wher
he was brought in to Gen Beauregard
who was. at the moment, directing the pur
suit. After exchanging Salutatons, thC
following conversation in substance took
place.
Prentiss, (offering his hand Gen.
Beauregard, we have felt yonr power to-day
and been compelled to yield to it.
Beanregard-Pardon me, sir, you have
felt the power of a great nation fighting
for their homes and all they hold dear.
And am sorry to see you fgting against
us on the other side.
Prentiss-I cannot see things in that
light. We can never consent to the Union
being broken up.
Beauregard-But the Union is already
broken np, and can never be restored.
Henceforth we are a distinct nation, aud
every one of onr people, men women and
children is willing to fight for it, aud if
necessary, to die in its defense. How
many men did you have today, General Prem
| tiSS ?
Preutis, (hesitatingly)-- I'VE had six d.
visions of about 1000 men each Ny own
division had about 1900, but it was the
largest. A large number of my men how.
ever were sick. The Tennessee water has
proven very unhealthy to them. | had not
more than 5000 men and was badly sup
ported, otherwise the day might have been
different. You have whipped our best
lighting men to-day.
Here Gen. Beauregard was called off to
direct troops to the pursuit, when several
bysianders engaged the captured General
in conversation.
Bystander-Gen Prentiss, do you think
this battle, so decisive will lead to peace
Prentiss-Never till the Union is restor,
ed. If we do not whip you with the men
we haye, we have already 200 900 enlist
ed, who have not yet been furnished with
arms. This has been one of our great dif.
fcullies. The Belgian rifles purchased by
Fremont were of no account you could
turn your thumb in them. Aud the Lon
don Tower gun, purchased by the Govern
meDt, had been piled away as useless
since the war with Napoleon. 1t is only
within the last sixty days that our men
have been properly armed Now, our people
are determined to fight it ont There was
time, after the battle of Manassas, wheu
you might have captured the Capital aud
marched into our country. and the future
might have been different. Now every.
thing is changed.
BYStander-Gen. Preniiss, did You have
any of Gen. Buelrs command with you to-
day
Prentiss-No. He is at Nashville.
Bystander-That cannot be- We have
certain intelligence of his arrival at Mount
Pleasant on his road to join you.
Prentss-Buel is not coming here, and
if any forces are on the way they must be
very small. know nothing of them
Bystander- Had you all your forces en-.
gagged to day 7
Prentss-All except one division, which
is at Crump's landing, several miles below;
| expect they viii be captured.
Bystander-What has become of your
army we contended with to-day. Have
they crossed the river do you think
Prentiss. No. They have retired to
our guuboats and entrenched works. There
will be another fight to morrow.
Bystauder-What do you think viii be
the result of it ?
Prentss--I am afraid oil our men will be
taken.
Bystsnder-Do you think Buell. can be
there in the morning
Prentiss-No. lie may be there in the
afternoon, but think not This has been
a complete surprise. Had you waited four