The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-22
THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
BUCKNER. TILGHMAN, CAN'T, MACKALL
AND THE REST FROM ISLAND TEN
AND FORT DONELSON., -l b-i
THEIR ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION
IN DIXIE. t...
INFAMOUS rREACHERY BY THE REBELS.

Press contrived by some surreptitiOus means
to accompany the expedition from Fortress
Monroe, which carried up james river some
5000 rebel prisoners to be exchanged for
an equal number of federal prisoners from
Richmond. The exchange was expected to
take place at City Point, but the rebels
being engaged in the erection of batteries
there did not want our men to see them,
and accordingly selected Atkins Landing,
seven miles further up.
1t was my lot to be on board the Knick-
erbocker, and here were the 2l0 Fort War
rem prisoners, included among whom was
the rebel Generals Buckner, Tilghman,
Mackall, Pettigrew and Can't, with Com-
modore Barron. Captains Mitchell and
Kennon, and host of inferior officers of
both navy and army. The sixty privates
in this batch we're chiefly educated men,
and associated on terms of entire equality
with their officers, occupying the same
cabin and the same deck. The private SOL
diers on the other steamers were in an eX-
ceedingly filthy state, which aggravated in
appearance by the brown and gray color OF
their clothes, and their long, uncombed
hair. The greasy odor that pervaded them
permeated every portion of the vessel
They were very quiet under the many delays
they experienced in reaching the terminus
of their voyage, knowing we'll that they
would not see their homes, but merely be
transferred Immediately to the ranks
Their time was spent in eating and sleeping.
gazing vacantIy upon the surrounding seen.
cry, and scratching. This last was an abb
sorbipg occupation, and was varied by their
taking off their shirts and studiously
examining the inner side. Fifty Upion
soldiers guarded each other. A dozen sick
rebels died on the way up, having long
been previously ill with aiarrhea and ty.
phoid. AS matter of trihipg import, 1
will advert to the personal appearance of a
few rebels on the Knickerbocker. Buck.
ner is man of two or three and forty, with
a fattened nose, dark complexion and hea-
w chin. He wore his long, prematurely
gray hair pushed behind his ears, and his
face shaven, with the exception OF the lip
and chin. His dress was plain sack and
pantaloons of dark blue cloth, a gray waist
coat, and high gray seull-cap, of indescri-
bable shape, banded by black Scotch
checks His form is moderately thick set.
His face is conceded to lack high polish, but
bis manners are cordial and attractive. As
he passes each Union sentinel on landing,
he babe him adieu and shook hands with
him, much to the sentinels qualification
He is politician. Misunderstanding is cheap
and frequent with him. Every man who
takes his hand may one day be of use. The
countenance and general air of TiIghman
and Barron both bear the impress OF high
breeding, and both are gentlemen, in the
most elegant, if not the highest serse.
Tighman wore dark blue sack, and pans
falcons of most unexceptional cut. The
latter were corded with yellow. U pom the
turned up flap of his cream-colored, golden
corded, felt hat, were three gold stars, indis
eating his rank of brigadier general. His
lace is ford, his features regular and hand
some, and his age not over forty. His cur
ly hair is long and brushed back, and pre-
maturely touched with gray, as are also his
beard and moustache His height is say
five feet nine. Mackall is crusty looking
old chap of fifty--short and thick set ; and
CAN'T is-goodness knows and nobody
cares. We have had enough OF the pack.
They inspected silently and with great
interest the different gunboats that we pass
ed, and more especially the Monitor and
Galena. AS chance shot screamed from
one over the hills, their excitement to catch
possible glance of their own forces in the
distance was great. Each new feature on
shore, as they supposed themselves within
their own lines, was eagerly scanned.
"There are some of our people," said one,
as he saw several Union cavalry officers
approach the shore to water their horses
"No, those are Yanks," said another; "don't
you see their uniform % "Why didn't they
land US at City Point ?" said third, "tbere
is railroad there to take US up" ave
are fortiiying around there" said fourth.
On q first view of negroes, one cried out:
"Here are some intelligent contrabands p
A general laugh ensued at this frequent
term used by northern papers. Presently
the sight offered itself of negro women,
whom they knew to be slaves, and their
gratuIations were lively. The old south
was really reached at last. On they came
from their distant houses, trooping to the
landing, and were received with waving of
handkerchief and screeches of delight.
Generals wed with their subordinates in
these demonstrations, to which the negro
women heartily responded, "Dem's our
folks; glad to see you, massa Dey'r wait
in for you up dar," were seyerally heard
among their shouts of welcome; and one old
woman, who led the rest, was profound in
her curtisies and gesticulations. "Did you
see her throw her arms up and then fold
them on her breast? hey?" said delighted
colonel; cd d-n her old hearth
Similar novel expressions of sentiment
were made use of on other occasions of tina
kind that offered themselves; but on first
sight of secesh white women, enthusiasm
became boundIess. They flung open the
blinds and waved their handkerchiefs with
will. No cheers were given in return,
but screech followed upon screech and yell
upon yell. Many danced. "Sweet as peach.
es l know they're pretty" said an ex.
cited youth. "Bleas 'em, God bless em!
said another. "I'd wave 'em my handker.
chief if it was not so dirty" said a third;