, 1862-12-13
How Roger A. Pryor was Captured and
Escaped.

letter to the Charleston Courier, written
from the field in Virginia, after the recent bat
ties with Pope's army near Manassas, says
Brig General Roger A. Pryor, during the day
had the misfortune to be taken prisoner, but the
corresponding good fortune to escape. He had
started off on foot to call up two or three regi-
ments for reinforcement, and on his return found
his command moved from the position in which
he had left it. Thinking it had gone ahead, he
too went on, and wondering all the time where
his men we're, until he suddenly encountered two
Yankees sitting at the hayrick. His uniform be-
ing covered by Mexican poncho, they did not
observe that he was not one of their own men,
nor was there any mark visible upon his person
to indicate his being an officer. They accord
ingly famiharly inquired how everything was 60
ing on in front. He replied, Very well, and in
the ensuing conversation, learned that he was
mile and half within the Federal lines They
asked him numerous questions, under some Of
which he began to quake and grow uneasy fear
ing his inability, good lawyer though he is. to
cope successfully with cross-examination of such
a dangerous character. He accordingly began to
look about him to discover some means of es-
cape. There was apparently none. He observ-
ed standing near him, however, the two muskets
of the men, one of them with bayonet and the
other without. The colloquy mad not proceeded
much further before one of them, looking at him
keenly, asked him to what regiment brigade and
division he belonged, and as Pryor hestated, and
stammered out his reply the Yankee sprang to
his feet, and exclaimed, "You are a rebel, and
my prisoner In an instant the General, who is
powerful man, and as active as a squirrel, seized
the gun with the bayonet and before his antago-
mist could turn, ran him through the body twice.
The other now jumped to his feet, apparently as
if to escape, but he also received from Pryor
lunge that left him helpless on the field Throw
ing down the musket, the General moved rapidly
away in the direction from whence he came, ard
after lodging Federal stragglers for an hour or
two, had the satisfaction Of finally regaining his
command. Anxious to know the fate of the two
men whom he had so summarily disposed of, he
sent one of his aids the next day to examine the
hospitals in that neighborhood, aud ascertain, if
possible, whether any men were present wound
ed with bayonet The aid returned with the
information that he had found one so injured
Whereupon Pryor mounted his horse and went
in person to see him. The man was asleep when
he entered the hospital, but the surgeon awoke
him, and the General asked if he recognized him.
ayes, sir do was the reply. "You're the man
who stuck me-" The wounded man was not less
surprised when he learned that the author of his
misery was the redoubtable Roger A. Pryor
THE REMOVAL OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITAL
TO New YoRK--A Washington dispatch to the
New York Herald, with the above caption
says
People who pretend to look into the future
condition of our conntry are beginning to talk of
the importance of removing the capital to New
York wnen the war is ended and the rebellion
suppressed. They argue that the present loca-
ton of the capital has teen the occasion of var-
Gus difficulties in the prosecution of the war. 1t
has seriously embarrassed the movements of our
army, its exposed position rendering elaborate
works and large forces necessary for its defense
The necessities of the case are magniied by set
of old fogies here who become exceedingly nerv-
Gus whenever the army moves its length away
from Washington. Let the rebels menace this
city in the slightest degree and our army must be
called home to defend it. and opportunities for
striking at the rebel army are lost because they
fear to allow our forces to march away from the
apron strings of this mother Of dead politicians
Ifthe seat of Government had been at the North
it would have been equivalent to hundred and
fifty thousand men added to our movable
forces:
THE REBEL MAIL TO THE NoRTH-The
New York Times publishes parts of letter writ
ten by loyal lady, wife of an officer high in the
rebel service, to her mother in New York, and
vouches for its genuineness. 1t is dated at Sa-
vannah, Ca, Oct 11th, and among other things
says:
"You cannot think how bitterly the North is
ridiculed here, and all my efforts to defend it only
end in modification and concousness that those
who think otherwise have the best of the argu-
rnent. 1t is now the regular habit to send So
called 'deserters' into the Union lines along the
Potomac, whenever we want to get a mail carr ed
North. These 'deserters,' who are generally the
bravest, sharpest and most unsrrupulous eafants
perdus in the rebel army, enter into McCellan's
lines, tell him just such stories as they have been
told to- take the oath and are Immediately dis
missed. They then go to Baltimore, post their
letters there, get a return mail and are back in
Richmond within three or four days from the
time of leaving the managers of this mail line at
Baltimore"
The writer also says that Richmond papers are
carefully prepared for the purpose of misleading
Northern opinions and cheating the Union Gen.
erals into the adoption of erroneous ideas con-
cerning rebel strength and movements.
RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATEs-The Jour
nal, of St. Petersburg, the leading Russian Gov
ernment organ, has the following friendly word
of encouragement:
Russia, it says, entertains lively sympathy
for the United States of America, based on mu-
tual friendship and common interests. Their
prosperity she deems necessary for the general
equilibrium. The maintenance of the Union is
the condition of that power and happiness which
she desires for the American nation. We are in
position to affirm that the friendly and concili-
aiory views of the Imperial Cabinet have not un-
dergone the slightest change On the contrary,