Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1864-08-17
From the vicksbsrg Aiss., y Herald.
Return Of Major 9h0rcy-ShanAe.
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1t will be remembered that in the report
OF the late expedition Of Maj. Gen. Slocum,
Major Samuel Shorey Of the first regiment
Of Mississippi mounted rifles, was reported
killed and his body in the hands Of the en-
emy. On Friday last, however, the Major
was brought in under flag Of truce with
other prisoners for exchange He was not
seriously wounded, but simply stunned by
a minnie ball striking his left temple near
the eye, while pursuing the enemy at the
head Of his command near Utica, Miss, on
the 18th ult
lie had been ordered to dislodgc force Of
the enemy known to be in the woods just
south Of Utica. His force consisted Of about
50 mounted rifles, and he took the head Of
the column and led them rapidly along one
road while he sent another smaller force on
another road nearly parallel, the object be-
ing to surround the enemy, or at least cut
OIL their retreat, and so capture the force
But the rebels, by = near cut, managed also
to move south, and prepared in ambush to
meet the MAJOR and his force. The Major
deployed his skirmishers when he had gone
about two miles, and led them to fire into
the woods where firing had previously been
heard but small force Of rebels appeared
OF the left and fired. The Major turned in
pursuit and soon came up with some Of his
nssailants. His revolver failing TO fire, 10
seized his sabre and just as lie was about to
strike his nearest foe, ball struck him OH
the left temple and felled him. His horse
was also wounded and fell Both were sup
posed by our side to be dead, and were SO
reported. The Major says there were about
twenty muskcts fired at him, and it was
surprising how he could have escaped with
such slight injuries.
When the Major recovered his senses he
| found himself a prisoner in the hands Of
Whitaker Scouts under command Of
| Lieat. Andrews, Of whom he speaks highly.
| lie says the Lieutenant did his best to insure
his prop,r treatment as a prisoner Of war,
| but that he could not control his men, nor
| influence the authorities ut Jackson. The
| former robbed him Of all the money he had
with him, (s35 in greenbacks) all his cloth
ing, saddle, saddlebags, &c.,-a complete
| equipment worth over 800 in Federal cur
rency.
On arriving at jackson, Miss, on the
evening of July l.i,h, he was paroled, CIV
| ing him the freedom Of the city. But the
| next morning the parole was taken from
him on the plea that he was believed to
have been in com nand Of colored troops.
He was thrust into a loathsome common pris-
on where were confined the following pris-
oners j. 4. Hawkins and Hendricks,
| charged with stealing boat load Of leath-
er; smith, charged with murder, two Con-
fedcratc descrtcrs, two Fctlral prisoners,
private Reynolds ana a Dutchman, and a
runaway negro. He was confined here for
a week, the guard sleeping in the room,
and the windows being closed 50 that there
was no ventilation. The first two nights
the Major was compelled TO sleep on plank,
without even a blanket. Then rebel sol
dier gave him quilt His rat.ons consist
cd OF cornmeal and fat bacon. lie had no
cooking utensils, and was Obliged to bor-
row OF the guards. lie had to chop wood,
icich water ana cook his own food. Ere
qacntiy, when he had, under guard, fetched
himself jug OF water, in a jug borrowed
It'll aiiiie ulty, it would be tal.un from hun
ard used by tho guards There was geat
scarcity OF water in the prison The Major
vas kept confined in this jail q weak, net
wthstanding the efforts Of Lieut. Andrews,
who reported that he was wounded while
lighting inaniully ut the head a his men,
who were white troops, and was enutlrc,
to respectful treatment as q prisoner OF
war.
The Major then sent protest to the COM
mander OF the post at jackson, stating the
particulars Of his treatment, and demand
ing to be released from such wrctchcd con
iincment. The other prisoners were then
removed. He was confined in company
with Lieut.. Browne. Of the I'd New Jersey
cavalry. They were conIinc,, together but
were still obliged to cut wood, fetch water,
un6cr guard, in the streets of jackson, and
had to cook their own victuals The Major
had paroles given him twice, but these were
tor only few hours, and were taken away
again like the first.
On Friday last he was brought to our
lines under flag Of truce with other prls-
oncrs. and II was proposed BY the rebels to
receive IN exchange Major Pcyton, OF the
State troops, the rebel ciiicer who has been
allowed the freedom Of the city Of Vicks-
burg since his capture at Grand Gulf except
the last day when the news Of the shameful
treatment of Major $. 0. Shorey reached
the authorities, and he was imprisoned.
This MAJOR Pcyton came to Hicksburg in
ragged condition, but was allowed to pur-
chase whole suit Of good clothes; on the
other hand, Major Shorey went out well
equipped; was robbed Of everything. and
had 1t not been for 4 friend in jackson. who
presented a pair Of pants costing 1920, would
nos have been decently clothed to have re-
turned TO the city.
When the offers Of exchange for Major
Pevton was proposed, the authorities here
doubted their powers to make the exchange,
and Major Shorey was given to understand
that he would have TO return. He said he
would rather die than return prisoner and
be again liable to such treatment as he had
received, and offered TO settle the Question
between himself and Major Peyton by fair
duel-the victor to have his liberty. The
challenge would have been accepted by Ma
Jor r., but the commanding General inter
posed and concluded to allow the exchange
The contrast in the treatment Of these two
officers OF the Same rank, shows clearly he
devllisA spirit of the rebels and adds another
to the many Instances Of brutality which
have made the Southern Confectionery 4
shame and . disgrace to the age and q by-
word among the nations Of the earth.
While this is true Of the rebel authori-
ties, Major Shorey wishes to express his
gratitude to Lieut.. Andrews for his Efforts
in his behalf and also to those citizens who
| took compassion on his destitute circum.
stances and furnished Confederate funds bv
which he was enabled to purchase some
comfnrta