The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-14

invigled into this seccsh delusion and hope
1t will soon DO put down. Others say that
they were oppressed into the service, and
long to fight under the old Stars and Stripes"
Others swear terrible vengeance against their
captors and the Yankees generally; while
Others like Indian captives manifest stoical
indifference to their present or prospective
condition. We gave them apples. and other
luxurier, and many Of them said they had
expected anything but comfort, or kind
treatment from the northern men. 1t is
surprising to them, to learn that we ore not
all Abolitionists, and they are learning daily
the extent of their infamous misreprescnta-
tions madc by the leaders Of this insane re-
bellion. Some Of them admit that they are
treated better as prisoners Of war, than they
were as confederate soldiers" .r...r
Turning from this unpleasant scene, we
stepped on shore, and obtained permission to
20 on board tho gun.boat st. Louis. The
burrows along its iron sides, its shattered
pilot house and perforated chimneys, gave
unmistakable evidence Of its late terrible re-
ception at the rebels Scbastopol. Thoplates
Of iron are an inch and a quarter in thick
moss, and are matched together like flooring.
The walls Of plank on which they are fasten-
tened with throc-quartcr-inch bolts, are one
foot in thickness, supported by heavy timbers
thoroughly braced, and bolted. Yet through
all this mass Of wood and iron, the death
dealing shell made its way, killed the pilot,
and disabled the wheel. After gathering q
few fragments broken in the engagement we
left the sable craft and wishing her much
success. We hastcned to take glance at the
Notifications at Birds point which present
most formidable appearance. A hurried
march of mile and half through mud
above our ankles made us glad to seek the
great cabin Of our boat ('The Charley
Bowen.")
As we proceeded on our way to Fort Don.
Edison, we met fleets Of steamers laden with
with troops, whose, stentorian voice, made
the welkin ring, as cheer after cheer resound-
cd from ten thousand gallant sons Of the
west, in response to the waving Of handkcr-
chiefs BY the fair hands, and the loud shouts
Of the men on our boat. We landed several
times along the Cumberland to procure wood,
and other supplies from the "good Union
men ?" Ia ,oeek old.) They came and talked
with us, sometimes followed by their varic-
gated sons and daughters, and professcd to
DO on the side of the Union. They oil claim
to have been deceived, or coerccd into the
insane idea of secession.
Ours was the first boat that had visited the
fort, not under control Of the government
Men, women, and children, Of all ag,s,
colors, and shades rushed tothe banks, waved
their handkerchiefs and hats, threw up their
hands and seemed wild with delight, at the
prospect Of returning commerce. Our flag
waved proudly in the breeze, and we shouted
for joy at tho sight Of these prodisals. Ono
scene occurred, which caused the tears to
moisten many rough cheek.
A physician on board, who had been driven
from the village Of Canton on tho Cumber-
land, informed us that hc had a sister living
close by the river, from whom no had heard
nothing since he was driven out, in June
last, by the adpice and assistance of his
brother-in.law. Hoping to SEQ her Us he
passed, no had written letter and tied II to
piece of coal, and anIiously watched for tho
familiar face Of his beloved sister, and am
happy to state that he was not disappointed.
She saw him, and with shouts of joy she
bounded to the bank, to which the boat ran
close, and he tossed her tho letter while she
wept with delight at the sight Of brother for
whom she had long mourned as dead.
Our good boat pushed on, and wo ut
length discovered the tented field where the
commissary stores were landed, four miles
below the scene Of the late terrible conflict.
Passing round bend, we saw, in the dis.
lance, the white fonts and on nearer ap-
proach, VIC beheld the black monsters from
whose hugo threats had leaped the live thun-
der whose bolts had dealt death and destruc-
ton. Many decapitatcd sapling oak, cot
ton wood and sycamore, along the river bank
for miles, tell the effects Of the missiles hurled
among them.
We involuntarily shuddered rs we gazcd
on the scenes around us and thought Of the
shower of iron hail that had darkened the
air, and made tho earth trcmblo but o few
days before.
A, our boat drew to land. tho soldiers
rushed down to meet US. Many Of them
anIiously hoped to meet their relatives and
feD were notdisappointed. Wewere welcome
guests, and an escort Of soldiers voluntarily
attended each ono Of us rs We visited the
scenes of conflict. oil anxious to show us
where they fought, and tell us what they did
and suffered. They say they are ready to
fight again, but their thirst for the conflict