Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-11-14

"take my watch, will you? Sir, that watch was
gwen to me by my mother, who has been dead
ten years. That watch chain was put around my
neck by my mother, twenty years ago-a precious
e'psake, indeed, which never expected to part
with and you will take it Well am in your
power | can only say that were one of your
officers to fall into my hands, would lose my
right arm before would rob him of his watch
even though it had not been given to him by his
mother. Take the watch, said the Colonel, pass
ing II over to the officer" Here it is: take the
watch"
The Confederate took the keepsake; but, to
his credit be it said, he did so with manifest
shame
The Colonel was well known in the village in
former times he had had many political friends in
that vicinity, aad since his sickness had received
many kind attentions. When the story of the
watch became known, the good people of the re-
gion round about were greatly agitated by it, and
one lady of ofintluence rode several miles to protest
10 the rebel officer against such act, which, in
her opinion, would bring disgrace upon the Con-
iederate cause, and might possibly lead weak
minded people to question the immaculate digni-
~ of southern chivalry by coufounding this act
with robbery
The result Of the agitation was, that Major John
Scott Of the Confederate army, commanding the
iorce then in town called on the Colonel. lie
expressed the opinion that the watch, as we'll as
the side arms and other property, was lawful
capture of war but that certain representations
hat been made to him on the subject which had
led him to think that the watch should, perhaps.
be returned.
The Colonel replied that the watch was a gift
from his mother, aud that for this reason, he
should bo compelled to receive IT,, in case il
should be returned but that, were it not for this
iact, he should certainly refuse it, aud let il 90
into history that Confederate officers stripped
Union officers net only Of their side arms hut of
their watches.
"Well," replied the Major 81 have ordered
that the watch shall be returned to you
now A vILLAaE WAS a,vgD.
1t was about this time that the rebel govern
ment had declared that officers of General Pope's
command should not be regarded or treated as
prisoners of war, but as feona guilty of infa.
nous crimes. AS the Colonel had served in Gen.
Banks eoEPi ddrmfe, which formed portion of
General Pope's command, the Confederates re-
fused TO give him general parole, and informed
him that he must 60 TO Richmond The citizens
of Little Washington regarded themselves indebt
ed to Colonel Umanu for preventing the des.
1ruellon Of the village, and were anxious TINT he
should be treated MS prisoner Of war.
The circumstances under which the Colone
saved the place were as follows:
1t seem that intermediate the retreat of the
Union army md the advent of the rebel forces. n
certain federal captain without authority, for
reasons best known to himself, came nto tbe
village with his men, and commenced pillaginp
property. Finding eask of whiskey in IA store
which they had broken open, Of course it led to a
scene Of riot and plunder, and at one time. tlreat
encd 10 involve The whole place in rapne and
ruin The terrified Inhabitants appealed to Col
onel ullmaun, lie, although so feeble that it was
at the risk of his life, interfercd and ordered the
onpiain and lis men to desist and leave the vii
lage. After some parleying, alteration and re-
sistanee finding that they had to deal with de-
termined man, they obcyod.
Therefore it was that the denizens of Little
Washington felt grateful to Colonel Ullmann. and
were anxious that he should be treated as a priso
ner Of war. In order to effect this purpose. after
they found that he could not have n general
parole, but must 60 to Richmond, they drew up
paper representing that they were indebted 10
Colouel ullmann ior the preservation of their
houses and their property, and respectfully peti-
tioning that lac might be treated with respeet
This paper was signed by all the prominent and
influential citizens of the town. and they told the
Colonel he need feel no uneasiuess; that, armed
with this paper, he would not by any means be
sent to the Libby Prison 2"
COLONEL uLLMANN IN RICHMOND.
Arrived at Richmond, the Colonel forwarded
this document to General winder, the rebel Gene
raj commanding the department Of lIenrico dlhe
General, with characteristic magninimity, paid
just us much attention to the paper as though ii
had been blank, and no more but Immediately
ordered the Colonel to be confined in the "Libby |
Prison"
In that lonesome abode with his brother Off.
GERS, be enjoyed all the filth and yermn and hard
fare of the mansion, heightened by the fact that
tue prisoners were constantly under the surveil-
lance of Brtishborn kuave by the name of
Peacock, who, deserter from the service of the
United States, by his happy combination OF Eug
sh insolence with southern arrogance, repders
himself fit aid de-camp to General winler.
Henrico District, end to be known
hereafter, in history, as the Turnkey of Libby
Prison"
LIBERATION.
Nnlnnal Illlnnnn ,rn liIn..t - -. -