Daily national Republican., 1863-03-24
THE WAR DEPARTMENT TO ADOPT MEASURES
OF RETALIATION.

VI NE
In pursuance Of the announcement made by
us yesterday, that in the evening several of the
lately released prisoners would be present at
the rooms of the Union League, in this city,
and relate the story of their sutierings, quite
large number assembled to hear them.
About u O'Clock, A. NJ. Gangower, Esq, of
Ohio, called the meeting to order.
The four returned soldiers, who were present,
belonged 10 the detachment sent out on the 7th
Of April last, from shelbyville, Tennessee, con-
sisting Of twenty-five picked men, whose mis-
sion it was TO penetrate tho Southern line, seize
an engine on the line of the Nashville and Chat
tanooga railroad, and run down into the heart
Of the State of Georgia and cut of important
rebel communications with the North. The
expedition failed for want Of cutting the telo-
graph wires in time TO prevent communication
| to the South.
The pale faces and haggard looks of these
men denoted that they had endured more than
tho usual share Of the hardships of captivity.
Mr.. William Pittenger was the first ono
called upon. He stated that he was one of the
party of twenty-five, detailed from various Ohio
regiments by General Mitchell, the day after
the battle of Corinth, to destroy the bridges on
the Georgia State railroad, the object Of which
was to prevent the concentration Of the enemy's
forces. The party, disguised as citizens, made
their way into the interior Of the enemy's terri
tory without detection on the part of any.
Their plans were well laid, and they had even
succeeded in capturing a train Of cars, with
which they started on their mission. But un-
expected delay caused them to be discovered,
and they had no alternative but TO take to the
woods. Here they were pursued by the entire
populace, who hunted them with hounds until
tho entire party we're captured. They were
hand. .cuffed, double-ironed, chained together
In threes, and thrown into the vilest kind OF a
dungeon, with but a ray Of light, and provided
with scanty food OF the poorest quality. They
were not held as prisoners of war, but treated
as the worst Of criminals, though they assured
their captors that they were soldiers. For
eleven months they were thus confined in dark
ness, guarded, ironed, and subjected to the
worst indignities. They were then moved to
Knoxville, Tenn, where seyen of the number
were tried and condemned as spies, though the
conclusion of the court was concealed. After
being again moved to Atlanta, squad Of rebels
came into their dungeon and notified the seven
that they were TO be executed. Without time
for preparation these unfortunate patriots were
forced from their sorrowing companions TO the
gallows. The scene of parting was indeed a
touching one
The remaining prisoners expected TO share
the same fate, and 1t was proposed that they
prepare for eternity. Morning and evening
the little band of sufferers knelt In prayer.
Though subsequently moved from prison 10
prison, this custom was regularly kept up.
There were fourteen still alive. Intelligence
was brought that they also were to be hanged
Eight of the party escaped, only two of whom
were ever heard from. The remainder were
sent 10 Richmond, where, after suffering un.
told hardships, and being assured that they
should be kept during the war, unless sooner
executed, they were suddenly Oyerjoyed last
Wednesday by the announcement that they
were to be exchanged. They arrived in this
city, last Friday, in the State of Maine. ANor
being paid of, they will return to their homes
In Ohio.
Statements equally as interesting were made
, by Mr.. Pittenger's comrades-Messrs. Homel
: Of New York; Buffum and Howard, of Ohio.
Mr.. J. Barrett, Of Ohio, the brave patrio
who cheorfully submitted to one hundred
lashes on his back rather than disclose tht
name of tho leader Of the expedition, whom th,
rebels suspected of being Southern man, wal
Justify called for, and in reponse, came forward
and modeStly acknowledged the compliment
paid him by the audience.
This morning about half past ten O'Clock tn,
prisoners, in pursuance Of an order from til,
War Department repaired to the Office OF Judg,
Advocate Holt to give deposition under oatl
with regard TO the features in the main and ii
detail of their experience from the time tho,
I left Gen. Mitchell, at Shelbyville, until they
were liberated, nearly year subsequent Ii
this interview no doubt many things were di
vulged exhibiting vile spirit of malice, ant
brutal cruelty on the part of the Southern rulers
and which should ems ure the most prompt ant
fearful retaliation on our part. We under
stand that II is the intention of the Governmen
TO adopt suitable measures Of rGtaliation-Sucl
as will deter the rebels from such harsh treat
ment Of our prisoners in the future.