The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-27
RETURN OF A GEORGIA CAPTIVE.

James R. Butts Esq, we'll known citizen OF
Macon. returned from the North few days ago
after captivity of just nine months to day.
On the 18th day of last April, while sailing in a
small boat in Apalachicola Bay, Florida, recon
noitering for the most advantageous point on the
coast to establish salt works, he was upset by a
flaw of wind, and, after remaining several hours
in the water, was picked up by the Yankee block
aders.
He was detained on ship board for two months,
and met with the hardest and most degrading
treatment. Afterwards he was sent to New York
hurried down to Fort Lafayette on the day of his
arrival, and there remained in confinement for
FIVE months. He was then discharged and ordered
to report in Washington at certain time, which
allowed him five hours time in New York to
procure money, clothing, and his daughter, whom
the breaking out of the revolution found at school
in that vicinity. Thence he journcyed to Wash
ineton, where he remained at liberty six weeks,
waiting the departure of the steamer New York
for Fortress Monroe
The editor of the Telegraph in brief interview
with Mr. Butts, gathered the following recital:
He left Washington on the It'll, and brings New
/ York and Washington papers up to that date His
conclusions about the state of the public feeling
on the question in the North we will state in
few words. Among his fellow captives, and in
his mess at Fort Lafayette, the celebrated DR..
cNlS OF ONO, ana aler his HDcratlOn, MT DuttS
had for six weeks the amplest opportunity for
observation and intercourse among all Glasses
which could be afforded by six weeks quiet and
unmolested residence in Washington. lie says
the people Of the North thoroughly sick and
tired of the war-that the Yankee army is democrat
zed-the officers are fast resigning, and unless a
great change takes place soon it will be impossible
to raise another army. Volunteering is done and
drafting is played out. The energies and resources
of the Northern Government have been exhausted
in the preparation for this winters campaign, and
unless it is successful the war is over
If our people maintain their ground this
winter and the next spring, and furnish the
Federals no material ground of encouragement to
prosecute the war, the struggle will end with the
incoming Of the fever season He says it is a
entire Northern Democracy in the position Of
upalterable opposition to peace except upon the
basis of reconstruction. Both Doctor Odds and
Sheahan, talented young editor of Illinois, who
were his fellow prisoners assured him that the
Western Democrats in favor of letting the
Southern States GO. Odds declared that this was
the feeling in Ohio, and Mr. Butts SAYS that the
popularity Of the old Doctor was sufficiently
cvinced in the fact that, after his imprisonment,
being elected to the Ohio Legislature from his
own county, to fill vacancy occasioned by death,
Olds was escorted to Columbus and his seat in the
Hall of State Representatives by procession two
miles in length. This happened before Mr. Butts
left Washington The South has but to hold
her own for few months longer and peace and
Independence will be ours-Angusta Constitu-
ttDnu(ist