Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-14

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YankeedODi.
The arrival of Confederate prisoners, under
the recent arrangement between the two govern
ments, commenced on Tuesday, since which
time to the present, they have continued to come
into the city, nearly all on foot, some lame, some
sick, some penniless, hungry and lclad, others
with purses full Of gold and silver, aud a few
with wallets well supplied, and garments decent
and comfortable. They arrived at Verina,
twelve miles below the city, better known as
Atkins Landing. on James river, in six steam
Transports, especially detached for the purpose
by the Federal Government As they APP
preached the landing, few were aware that here
they would once more touch the soil Of their
country, and when the Confederate sentinel cried
out from the shore the words "Halt! you cannot
go any further up" a thrill OF JOY ran through
them all.
They comprised Confederate soldiers taken in
various battles since the commencement of the
war-on the Potomac, the Peninsula, Hatteras,
and other points, in North Carolina, at SEES, and
elsewhere, making in all about 5000. A large
number yet remain behind, either locked up in
Northern prisons or on their way to be ex-
changed.
Amidst those who arrived in the city on yes
terdsy were the crews Of the privateers Petrol,
Savannah, Dixie, Beauregard, jeff. Davis and
Sumter, most of whom have been confined for
twelve months in the ToOmbs, at New York,
Fort Delaware and other prisons all originally
intended to be dealt with by the Yankee gov
eminent as "piTstes." They were eighty-tWo in
number. The.r pTiVatiOns in prison had been
extreme, and IN many cases extending to cruelty.
An incident of the most palpsble robbery and
meanDess was related us by one Of the crew Of
the PetIel
Previous t6the departure of the crew; q mum
Der of nOble-heaTtsd ladies in Baltimore made no
q enpnlv of avcallonf alofhip~ and cant e -
them at New York, in the care Of LIST Lieutenant
Harvey, of the Petrol. When the crew reached
pea Patch Island" off the Delaware coast,
where they were to be shipped for home, the
clothing was handed over to the charge of Cap
tain Gibson, the Yankee commandant Of the
post, who, upon the application of the men to
whom it belonged, refused to give it to them,
saying that they all had enough clothing with
out wanting any more, and informing them that
he shOnld distribute it among his own men, or
those who had taken the oath of allegiance.
One of the crew Henry 4. Rowan, of Charles
ton, South Carolina, demonstrated with the com
mandant, and boldly stated to HIM chat the
clothing did not belong to him nor to the Fed
eral government, but was bought and paid for
By private parties for the crew of the "Pe.rel,"
whereupOn, Captain Gibson placed him under
arrest, IL irons, and SO ordered him to be kept
until bis arrival at YeIina. Upon reaching V
Tina, Rowan refused 70 be released from his
bracelets, until lie left the vessel, when he cody
kept possession of the Jewels to retain as a
souvenir of Yankee Yillainy.
Amidst the more distinguished prisoners, were
CommOdOTes Borreu and Mitchell, and Captain
Beverly Kennon, of the Confederate States
Navy, Lieutenants Wilkinson, Marley, Ward,
Whittle, Averett, ard others Brigadier-G Gene
rails Tilghmsn, Buckner, and PettigTew, Colonel
Hanson, aud Lieutenant Washington,
aid de-camp to General johnson.
The accounts given by the p~rivates Of their
treatment vary considerably some, through the
Of sympashizers having been kept in
good tim, inwardiy and Outwardly, while others
were treated like dogs. The steamers unon
they arrived were crowded, and some Of
them contained tie sick mixed up with the sound,
led them all upon miserable Iations, and paid
scarcely any attention to their other creatures
,omforts.
But, worn out as a great many are, ~fatigusd,
sick, from protracted Imprisonment and i'll usage,
have never seen more rtjoiced and lively
men. Once more upon Southern soil, and free
10 take up arms again to fight a foe they have
to hate with tentOld energy, they expe-
renee a freshness in the very air they breathe
inspires them with lie, vigor and deter
Unhsppily the arrangements for
heir reception have been extremely limited. Ia
stead OF being met upon their arrival by parties
o direct and refresh them, they are sent 10 ad-
AGENT amps, or Suffered 20 stroll Or lie about
he city, without a mOrsel Of food, and liable at
time to arrest by the military police. We
lad thought thst they would be met with open
learts and hands, both by the authorities aud
he people, welcomed, in true Virginia style,
Jack home again. Nothing Of the kid was
lone, and so they straggle in, cluster about the
corners, Stray eff in search Of unknown camps,
making their beds anywhere, if without money,
u a word doing no better than if they were
lpon hostile ground.
As far as the community is concerned, the
of Way-wOrn and ~prison-vOrn soldiers
vas almost wholly unexpected and further
ban this, The people of Richmond have already
.evoted their time aud resources to too great an
xtent to permit the indulgence Of the idea that
public spirit can be suJdusd under any
circumstances. Tie authorities, we fear can
an fnd 40 apologies.-RichHt0ad Enquirer, 7A.