The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-10
A Talk with IL Rebel.
From the Philadelphia Press. 23d.

From the Philadelphia Press. sd.
While strollng around the Union Re
treshnent Saloon, few evenings since, we
unexpectedly heard a shout from the sur
rounding throng, Here comes the Rebel
prisoners Here they GOMEZ" Finding
it much easier to be borne along with the
crowd than to stem a 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 of a few lOqua-
cious peanut and lemonade woman, there
was complete rest a la neiltaire.
More conspicuous than his fellow pri-
sOners. was a young man with finely
chiseled face, searching intelligent black
eyes, and evenly developed forehead, lean
ing carlessly out of the car window, taking
a view of the illuminated Volunteer Re
treshment Saloon. Around him and his
comrades were the people. Each looked
at the other, prisoner and spectators,
"What place is that sir, lighted up?"
That" replied Il citizen, sis the Vol
unteer Refreshment Saloon, where the
Union soldiers are fed on their way to and
from the war
Rebel 1t is Il very comfortable looking
establishment sir.
Citizen Yes it is. Wouldn't you like
to be Il Union soldier?
Rebel. | would have no objection for
about half an hour, sir.
Citizen Do you belong to Il fighting
regiment:
Rebel. belong, sir, to South Carroll
IA 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 | 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: That is the State we are going to
sink
Rebel. That may he. sir, but there is
not Il South Carolinian living who will
not gladly sink with her
To which sharp but vulgar little boy
replied: Nov your only blowing"
Rebel Gentlemen. | am a prisoner by
the mischance of war, for it is one of the
mi>tortunes OF war to become prisoner.
and 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 well 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 Il boy.
Rebel Our soldiers always treat Your
prisoners well, sir
Citizen. Not at Richmond.
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:
Rebel. was in Gen. \. p. Hills di-
vision. sir, and Gen. Jacksons corps of the
CO4fe,ier,de army.
Citizen Then you were i'll the fight
with Pope?
Rebel. Yes. sir. for nineteen days, we
were either following the Federal army or
they were following us, so there was al
ways fighting alternately from the rear
Citizen Then you have seen some SER
vice?
Rebel. have. sir, since the assault of
Fort Sumter. After the evacuation of
Fort Moultrie, was there and assisted to
make it stronger than it ever was have
been constantly on the field since, and,
including the last battle of Manassas,
where was taken prisoner by the 10th
Pennsylvania Regiment, | have been in
fourteen engagements.
Citizen. l should think you were pref
ty tired of war?
Rebel. Well, sir, left comfortable
home from sincerity of conviction. | have
put up with privations to which have
never been accustomed, but / don't COM
Lain sir