Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-02
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.
Interview Between Jeff. Thompson ana q Yankee
Colonel.

ting from Columbus KY, December 4th, gives the fol-
lowing report Of an interview between Gen. thompson
and Col. Buford of the Federal army:
have already said something about released prison
coming down from Cairo. To-day the steamer Iatan
came down under white flag; she was stopped above
the point and steamer the Yazo0 with the proper
officers board went up to meet her. Her errand
to deliver within lines Gen. Frost, Major Williams
aud some 20 others OF the Camp Jackson prisoners Ia
ken by the Hessians at the first outbreak in ST. Louis
released on parole and now entirely released in exchange
for Col Muigan and bis men, lately taken By our for
ces at Lexington.
AS the Yazoo neared the Iatan one of The prisoners
on the latter exclaimed Why look hang me if there
amt jeff Thompson, standing the guard !' Where
which is him 2" quickly asked Col. Buord. JEFF was
pointed out and long and intense the scrany in
dulged in by the Hessian Colonel. When the boats
ashed and the officers met there was the usual shaking
of hands, introducons, etc. and when JEFF made the
acquaintance of Buford, he smiingy remarked, be-
leve you are the man that after me few DAYS
ago?" " Yes, am,' was the polite response. The
crowd gathered around to hear the chat. And ii was
one of the chats. How is it, General" asked the
Colonel, that you in so many places at the same
time | thought you were at New Madrid,
getting ready to wipe us out if we
there? 2? you did, eh ?" said JEFF. laughng chat you
see I'm here now, don't yOU?" Yes, believe do"-
The whole conversation need not be reported will
mention orly they told to me- few of the sharp
rallies that occurred during half an hours conversation
rendered the more free and good hunored by-well l
man, =, said the Colonel taking in Je's good hnmored
face and gaunt anatomy at glance. "My wife is the
only person who called me good looking" be an
swered "Ive never been troubled about mems opinion
of my looks" General how do you manage to
fly abont so fast with your menhow is it you are new
| er where we expect to find your" because I'm iast
and you're slow, that's ALL" "But why don't you stop
somewhere, and give us open igh?" "DidntI do it
at Frederickown !" Yes, but didn't we run you :"
"Not much, you didn't but didn't want to fight you
there me me- | d
well you could clean me out but for one thing YOU
would never have got shot at u.s." WHAT was that?"
"Wel you see, had lot OF wagons loaded with lead
and things to keep up the fun with the roads
were bad and we had to stay behind and fool with you
till the wagons got on a piece | needn't say how
much lead we had but it enough to last us about
two years F"rhen you don't intend to give up the
| hght?' "Not much don't" "WelI, General what
are you fighting for, anyhow" Colonel what are you
fighting for?" "Tm fighting for the Union" 'And
am lighting for the Union, too, and now better
Union man than ever You dare to be; ! always was
| Union man, and am fighting for the Southern Union
the only real Union now in Amarcs; the Yankees and
the Dutch are leading your Northern Union to the
devil as fast as they know how. know, Colonel that
you and most OF your officers gentlemen and brave
men, and will fight we'll whenever you have the chance;
but the trouble is you havnt got the to back you.
L am ready to make q contract with your Government
to meet you in the open field, one to four and clean
you out every time" "General,Nm afraid YOU have
the advantage OF me in respect and that's in brag-
| gng." mo, Colonel, I'M not Dragging; I'll engage
with you any of your leaders to fight you square
open fight with to your four; I've never given
you an open fight because you send ten twenty fifty
men to my one. If you'd come at me with evennumbers,
wouldn't leave grease spot of you. $50, then, you
UW keep on lighting in your own wayW Yes, well
fight you till hell freezes over and then fight you the
| ice! X X General / can't Imagine
how you stand the fatigue Of your many long and rapid
rides you must be tough one. It's practice. I've
been in the saddle much as out of it for The last IF
teen years, and used to all of camping out and
roughng it in the woods and most Of my men are just
as experienced La the army all that time p Oh,
no; yeu ought to know I'm surveyor and civil engi-
neer. l laid out the Hannibal and ST. Joseph
Railroad and know all about that sort of
business" "But don't see how your men stand it,
travelling so constantly and so rapidly "Ihey stand
it because they are men, and have got The grit Your
men generally played out before they get into
fight, carrying blanket coats bags Of bread and ham,
and other traps enough to kill mule or Gil hotel
My always carry their yictuals inside, and don't
bother about clothes of them now are bare foot
ed and bare legged. "Genaral !" "Its so sir" "Wel,
General I'll have to give in You'll excuse me- but I'd
like to have your picture to show my friends espe-
to write under the picture what you have been saying
After further good humored badinage, the General
and the Colonel SHOOK hands cordially part as their
| hands were still grasped, Thompson said Colonel
we good friends now but il We ever meet in battle
it will be very different" at which Buord smiled
without remark. He doubtless more than satisfied
at having met and measured the inevitable and ire
pressible JEFF Thompson"