The Portland daily press., 1862-07-21
MATTERS ABOUT TOWN.

RETURN OF A PRIsoNER.-Mr. Converse A.
Babcock, recently returned from the South
favored us on Saturday last with few state
ments in regard to his captivity among the reb-
els, with whom he has been sojourning for
many months. Mr.. b. was connected with the
9th Massachusetts regiment, Co. B., Charles
town City Guard, and was wounded at the
battle of Bull Run, in the following manner
Being ordered to lie down near the brow of a
hill, himself and comrades were patiently
waiting for a shot at the enemy, when spent
cannon ball came rolling and bounding along
striking him the tip.of the fingers of his left
hand, and doubling up the knuckles, contin-
ued on its course, breaking the arm and dislo-
eating his left shoulder. He was instantly par
alyzed by the blow, but heard the person in
front of him exclaim Il am wounded" The
shot passing over the forward file, had but
grazed his knee before its contact with Mr.
Babcock. Suffering intense agony, he manag-
ed to reach an ambulance, and was conveyed
to small white house used for the temporary
shelter of the wounded, although exposed to
the fire of the enemy's batteries. While lying
there he felt somewhat contented, as from time
to time he was informed the enemy were get
ting worsted. Butas shotaftershotw would pillow
up the ground In the vicinity of the building
he could not but think himself in some little
danger. Soon, however, upon the advance of
the rebels, he considered his case somewhat
hopeless, especially when body of secesh
cavalry rode into the yard, giving as they did
SO, a most unearthly cheer. The colonel COM
manding was disposed to treat him kindly, but
the captain acted like demon. This man or
dered him to walk to Manassas, which, essay
ing to do, he fell down through faintness, oc-
casoned by loss of blood. He was then
thrown into an ambulance, and upon arrival at
Manassas he was placed with his back to a
tree, in which position he remained through
the night, with his wounds still undressed.-
From the date of the battle, on Sunday, until
Tuesday, he received nothing to eat, at which
time he arrived at Richmond, lying in the cars
still uncared for until the next morning.
Wednesday morning he was sent to the Gener-
al Hospital, which contained about three hun
bred and fifty unionists, of whom one hundred
soon died. The shoulder was without attend
ance for six days, and his arm was neglected
for sixteen days, the hand and fingers re-
ceiving no attention whatever. The only ex-
cuse given by the surgeons were that it was
too much swollen. The Sisters of Charity
were permitted to bestow upon them many
kind acts Of assistance, and behaved to the
wounded in a manner which should call out
the fullest gratitude from all those who ex-
perienced the value of their noble kindnesses.
The ladies of Richmond at first were inclined
TO assist them, but the Richmond papers con-
demning the measure, the soldiers were left to
themselves. Before his wounds were entirely
healed he was confined in the Tobacco Ware
house, where some of our men were most in
humanity murdered by the sentries on guard.
Food was barely sufficient to sustain life, being
about eight ounces of bread and three ounces
Of meat per diem. Shortly after he was con-
veyed to Tuscaloosa, Ala, at which place the
prisoners were treated well, and eventually
paroled. While at Weldon they were seized
and taken to Salisbury, and thrown into
prison, where their food was of the poorest
quality. The scuryy breaking out among
them, they were allowed to go into the yard.
Finally, after having signed four or five pa
roles, they were permitted, two hundred at
time, to pass to our lines. When>the men
came in sight Of the old flag, it was greeted
with nine cheers, and tears of joy and thank
fitness ran down their careworn cheeks, while
each man felt a stronger determination than
ever to stand up again for the dear old emblem
of our glorious country. Thus, ten months
after his capture, did Mr.. Babcock again ex-
perience the blessings of liberty, rc-ntering the
federal lines on the 18th day of May, 1862.
QUIET.-The morals of the city for the past
three days have been above reproach. But
few cities of the size of Portland, in all New
England, can boast the general quietude in the
line Of nefarious transactions which we enjoy.
Evil doors regarding the lynx-eyed police of
our city, with fear and trembling are less prone
to exhibit themselves than they would were
there lax system of management in the po-
lice department.
POSTAGE STAMPS, ERGO SMALL CHANGE.
Now that stamps have become the general cir
culating medium, it would be well for parties
receiving them in compact package of sums
from twenty-five cents to three dollars, to cut
the cords which hold them, and take peep oc-
casonally A friend of ours, who will be odd.
recommends that they be pasted on to a half
sheet of letter paper, and, provided with
pair of scissors, clip them off as occasion may
require. He also says that small boy TO carry
a tin case Of them, wouldn't be bad, when large
amounts are TO be paid out.
CowARDLY AssAULT-Two drunken Irish
men passing up Exchange street ON Saturday
forenoon last, came in contact with gentle
man, 3 clerk in one of our stores, when one of
them, without the least provocation, dealt him
0 severe blow in the face. A gentleman pass
: ing in time, endeavored to part them, when the
other interfered, at which, officer Foster charg-
ing upon the enemy, took him from the field
and threw him into the yawning abyss, beneath
the city building. We learn that the offender
is an enlisted man" and we would in this con-
nection, suggest to himthe propriety of strain
ing his pugnacious propensties until his arrival
upon the battle-felds Of our country.
A LEG LOST is NOT LosT.-Dr. Lorng ex-
hibits at his Drug store, on Exchange street,
model artificial leg after the design of the eel
ebrated Palmer, every joint moving with the