Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-14
Gen. Morenns Visit to tsao Libby Prison.

On Saturday, the citys guest, General John H.
Morgan, escorted by His Honor, Joseph Mayo, Mayor
of Richmond Acting A6iutant General Il. A. Aston,
Mr. Bruce, Nj. c., from Kentucky and number Of
Others paid visit to the Libby prison, where an OPP
portunty afforded them OF inspecting that famous
receptacle of Union sentiment and the parties who give
it vitality These, in round numbers, foot up conslde
rablY over thoueand-an aggregate sufficient to make
most respectable regiment, far as mere numbers
are concerned Gen Morgan and party arrived at the
prison about IL O'clock and, on making their wishes
known, were Immediately conducted on tour OF H.
specton. General Morgan, on arriving up staiis,
where the prisoners " most do copgregate,"
was Immediately conducted into the Presence
of the author of the Maine Liquor Law"
the whiIom Brigadier General Neal Dow. an intro
ducon took place. when Morgan observed, with one OF
those inmitabe smiles fer which he is so noted "Ger-
eral Dow very happy to see you here Or, rather
should soy, since you are here am happyto see you
looking so we'll" BOWS natural astuteness and Yam
ke3 ingenuity to his aid, and he quickly replied,
without apparent embarrassment, "GGGeral Morgan,
congratulate you your escape; cannot say that
glad that you did escape, but since you did, am
pleased to see you here" The conversation then be-
came general between the two during the progress OF
which Dow admitted that his views of the South its
people and ther treatment of prisoners of war had
dergone material change for the better IN the last lew
months.
Gen Morgan also had interview with the notori-
Col Sreight, who had several days previous TO his
visit been released from close confinement for attempt
ing to escape from prison. and restored to his old place
amongst the other officers. Ii has been coneetured by
persons wise in reading the motives OF men by their &C
tions that this hoped on his entrance into the prs-
on by taking the most ultra position on the questions
dividing the North and South to become the leader and
host of his fellow capyes. 1t such was his sdeslro,
he has most sgnay failed, it is known that he is
by no means popular amongst them "on the cQotrh-
ry quite the reverse" Streght is tall, boned
broad chested; sandy-hared, bgwhiskefed, uncouth
looking man with arms swinging like the wings
of windmill in the dodrums. lie has acquired con-
siderable quantity of disjoned information on yare-
ty of topics, while pasturng the literary fields OF an
kee land Knowing little Of everything ard not much
of nythng, has made him free thinker and ready ad
herent of all the isms peculiar to hls section He does
not it is said believe III God Devil, which Is not
at all wonderful, considering the locality from which he
halls Gen. Morgan said to Streight, in bis interview
with that individual that it bis desire to anchor
ate the condition of ell the prisoners in hands, and
he would do far lay in his power, despite the
fact that some Of his own men had been tied up by
their thumbs and subjected to other crueltIes
abhorrent to human nature for endeavoEng
to escape. The interview between the two
seemed to be mutually satisfactory. If the sketch we
have drawn of Streigh presents that individual IN
unamiabe attitude he has only himself to blame Tor It,
all of the officers III the Libby cannot be placed IN the
same category as hiLnselE-it would be surprising il
they could. There many of them persons OF edu-
cation and refinement and who, under different state
of affairs, would display those kindlier impulses that
dignity and adorn human nature, in its most de-
readily conceive that there is such thing passaby
good man being moved and seduced by the devil."-
Hardly any one will deny that the uphOlders of Abe
Lincoln have been operated On by the gentleman in
| black
While the majority OF the prisoners seemed gratfed
at the visit OF Morgan aud all pleased at his personal
appearance so different from what their imaginations
had depicted the Kentucky officers expressed the most
unqualified delight at seeing the faVorite son OF their
own Stale. They expressed themselves openly, not
only as delighted to him. but delighted also that he
had escaped from prison ard at liberty
Some of the expressions used by the Kentucky Yankees
elected the decided dsapprobatOn of their wooden nut
meg compatriots but nothing could repress the ex-
preston of gesuine Kentucky feelings on the part OF
the Federal officers from that State towards " the great
bandit"
While at the Libby General Morgan visited the hos
pita attached to the prison. and gave high praise to
Surgeon Wilkins and his co-aborers for their efficient
conduct The General said the hospitals oil that
could be desired, and kept in true military style
| The only draw back to the pleasant renecIohS ~
dueed by their visit was the existence OF act "hch
unconsciously leaked out during lts progress va
several occasions lately owing to the lnethcency and
want If ndnatrv or attention the part Of the quarter
magter charged with the duty OF furnishing fuel for
tho o If the Libby the imprisoned officers have stood
hi1erino for days in the cold. On Christmas day it
the Yankees went dnneress because there was
no wood to cook their food. few days thereafter the
dinner tables used by the officers consumed for fuel
to cook their food with. Doubtless inquiry would
show that the officers and guards Of the prison no
better off This state OF affairs should not exist The
able The party to blame 10 the matter should be stir
red up with particularly long pole.
Richmond Enquirer.