Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-07
A TRIP UP THE CUMBERLAND.
sIGHrs IN spCEssrA


matters and things as witnessed on a trim mn tho
! Cumberland river on one Of the government
steamers We make some selections
IN RErEg, PRISONERS AND THEIR PHYSIQUE.
We have been meeting boat loads Of these
fellows coming down, and there were a cou-
pie OF thousand Of them in Cairo when left
They were all clothed in coarse garments. of
miscellaneous colors and quality, long-tailed
coats, bob-tailed coats and roundabouts, with
vests or without vests, linsoy btecches and
felt hats Of all degrees of antiquity and varie-
ties OF manufacture. There was no, an en-
tire regiment equipped in the gray uniform Of
the rebel regulations in the whole force can
tured at Fort DoRalson Our troops, who
though bursting with patriotism, were ready
10 mutlny 1t their new breeches had the
wrong shade Of blue, might take hint from
these earnest rebels.
do not think the rebel prisoners are quite
up to the physical average Of our Northwest
etn soldiers, but 1t is great mistake to sup
pose they are not good fighting material. -
Ciothe them in our uniform, and many of them
would stand no i'll comparison, in other re-
spects, with our own troops. Neither do
see, from any evidences to be found among
the prisoners, that they have been suffering
greatly Their clothing, though rough, is
generally warm, and most of them seem hearty
enough. They are very bitter in denouncing
the receptions that have been praciiced upon
them By their leaders. They had been arous-
ed by declarations that the North intended to
reduce the southern States to the status of
conquered provinces, and their waning zeal
had been ireshened by stories like those told
them after their retreat from Fort Henry, that
Price had possession of st. Louis, and that
Johnston had defeated the Northern troops
again at Manassas, and on the heels of an
other Bull Run was marching on Washing
ton.
DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE INHABGTANTs.
Every cabin door is open as we pass, and
IN every one woman's huttcring handker-
chief is seen. Everywhere women, children,
and negroes crowd to the banks to see steam
boats once more blowing the neglected stream,
and wave their welcome back to commerce
and the flag but for dozens of miles not a
white man to be seen. They have either
been driver off by the rebels, or are of doubt
ful loyalty, and deem it prudent to keep out
of the way.
These are two marked exceptions EDDY
vile, pleasant little river town, perched on
the bluffs some forty miles above the stream.
runs up the stars and stipes as we approach,
and gray-haired men are seen at their land
ing, waving their hats, and shouting and
cheering till the tears run down their aged
cheeks And at Canton, long before we reach
the place, a rugged featured, butternut-cloth-
ed farmer is seen on the bank, shouting till
one would think him crazy, 1--WE been
ground down he yells in a ecstacy of de-
light; I've not dared to speak a word. I've
been threatened with hanging. but knew it
would all come right; glory to God, it has
come !! And more shouts, and ecstatic hat
waving, while the boys cheer the fine fellow
as if they were splitting their threats.
Three or four women are seen at a cabin .
loor waving their handkerchefs. A soldier .
carefully reconnoiters, and at last announces,
Boys, there's a gal up there that's got hoops
IN! Three cheers for the gal with hoops" /
md she gets three stunning cheers.
AT forlorn looking little cabin on the 9TH
II bank woman appears, broom-stick in
land, and for want Of handkerchief shakes
ler housewives weapon alon " God bless
you, shouts an enthusiastic old Major, who
stands perched on the top of the pilot-house.
you and your children, and your children's
children forever. You're one of the right
ort. Three cheers for the woman with the
,room-stick. Hail Columbia !" and then the
Id Major, unable to contain his feelings
onger in mere words, goes off in a prolong-
ID Youp, youp, youp," to which the lads
IN deck gave lusty response.
THE PEOPLE ANXIOUS TO TRADE.
The people of the Cumberland Valley are
exceedingly impatient to have free navigation
eopened on the river. Their great staple,
obacco, is still lying on their hands, their
wheat and all other productions are unsold,
md they are absolutely without money to
BUY their groceries or clothing Secession
brought them Southern rights, but it brought
hem no markets. AS soon as boats are per
nitted to run up at will, the Cumberland river
trade will become important
now GAINESVILLE WAS TAKEN.
As the Lake Erie neared Clarksville, Tues
day afternoon, no evidence of an enemys
presence was apparent. Shortly below where
he Notifications had been supposed to be
hey found a large tobacco warehouse. over
which white flag had been raised. Suppos-
ng this, however, to be a mere device of some
Interested rebel, who feared the approach of
the gunboats, to protect his property, they
still advanced carefully,
But presently an earthwork came in sight
the channel. Two heavy siege
guns could be plainly seen, but no gunners
were about. The work seemed deserted, and
above it, too, foated the white flag.
Next came another fertilization mounting
hree guns. 1t, too, was deserted, and, like
Inc other, hoated the white flag And from
he wharves, warehouses, churches, business
houses and private residences of the pleasant
little city that next appeared, foated the same
white flag.
On landing, the officers of the boat we're
informed that they might, if they chose, take
Of the place. The rebels had no
soldiers to defend their place. The regiment
hey had raised was taken at Fort Donelson,
md the Union men were only too glad to see
'ome hope for getting back under the old
lag again. So, when Floyd's and Pillows
lying regiments arrived from Fort Donelson,
he inhabitants united in petitioning them to
move on" as they feared their place would
De destroyed if battle were brought on
here and so the outcast Generals and SOL
iiers moved on" like the poor street sweep
n the story. May their end, in some re-
'pects at least, be like his.
BUoKNER FAoETIoUs AND IMPUDENT
Buckner and General Grant were together
n Mexico. staff officer who was present
ellis me that when General Grant entered