Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-03-16

ARRIVAL OF ExoHANaRD PRISONERS.

ENTHusIAsfIo RkoIPnoH OF TIE PRIsOEEAs TIE
SoHxUInT- MILITARY ESCORT TO IAE CAPITOL saUARE
-sPHECHu 1T PREsIDKNF DAVIS, GOVERNOR LMIIH
01EOHIL J. LOCUS DAVIS, ASS cArrAH HAISH
The announcement 10 the city journals yesterday
that the returned prisoners Who had been brought
Cisy Point in the Gag Of truce steamer New york,
would arrive At Rockets at 10 O'clock yesterday fore
nOOp attracted very large number OF ladies, citizens,
soldiers and Others to the lover end Of the Oy Al the
hour indicated. general disposition was manifested
20 svS tbs boys" cordial welcome, and animated BY
ais spirit all classes of the community repaired to
Rockets ard the surrounding hills in order that they
might unite in a demonstration Of welcome. Il hap
psaed unfortunately that the steamers which bad gone
70 Cty Point Monday afternoon, with the Yankee priS
onerS we're detained on the trip dlWn the river and
s9nssQusnty did start their return with the Coo
fsderAS soldiers until near 10 o'clock. This de entiOn
caused good deal Of Disappointment among the crowd
asembed on the WhAiVss At Rockets, and numbers,
Who pat emily waited until noon, returned to tLeir
hoael or places OF business large Gssemblsgo re-
N .ined, however, and shout O'Clock the steamers
'sshullE' and william AlisOn' hove In view.
In the course Of fifteen or twenty minutes The boats
approached the wharf and ruSh cheering, such waving
OF handkerchief, such enthusiasm has perhaps never
bssa heard or witnessed belorsAt Rockets. The re-
urrsd soldiers responded 70 tas greeting in vOOisrOuS
sLOu and the scene presented altogether inspiring
beyond adequate description. The steamers we're stOa
nsorsd alongside the WharVSS, and the pASssngerS de-
baked A column was then formed, with the Public
GoArd OaPsAih Gay, detailed As al ScOIt BY Ord,r Of
Gov Smith, in advance. The ArmOry Band, which had
discussed SnlVenDg music during the reception
mOny, led tbs cOlGnn. After the Public Guard came
ihs returned COSrs then detachment Of soldiers frcn
Camp Lex, and then the returned PrivAeS, the whole
constituting lengthy and imposing procession.
The column marched 70 the Capitol Square, where
large crowded awaited their arrival After coming to
hal, President Davis made hS appearance among the
returned soldiers and recsiVsd by them with rap
urOus cheers and waving Of hats In response to the
general vish the President took pOlitiOn on Iho plat
form Of the Warrington Monument to Adde'S the re-
turnsd sodisS Who crowded around him with an eager
dssis to hear what he might have to ray.
He welcomed them TO their native lard He had
osn heard Of the severe trials to which they had been
SubSoisd in their captivity, and his heart bad learned
fOs the brave boys" who rad proved trus uadsr every
tAl apd had resisted every osr made to them to de-
sors the fortunes Of their country. Though they had
passed through co many bitter IriaS there we're, per-
hlps many yet in for them but he knew tLa they
would not shrink from them-hAt they would all assist
in achieving the Independence OF the country a1d in
driving Avay the hated foe nov pOlluting our SOIL
(CheeFS Aaer brief respite said the President you
viii be again called 10 the battle field. az know you
will come" R,spSnsVs shouts and cheers 10 hoped
shat they you'll ell hnd their families better provided
for tbAn they might expect do. The President closed
BY invoking the blessing Of God upOn those be Gd-
dressed.
Gov. Smith was then called for aud addressed the
assembAgO at som. length He oordinly welcomed the
returned Omssrs and soldiers; vas glad to see them
locking so WE'LL Al knew their hearts strong DO
th,r duty their bleeding aud suffering country. The
Governor remarked that he no. the eulOgis Of the
President but it vas but just to say that was
more devoted 70 thO success of the cause worked
harder to ensure that He had not responded
to the popular oAmOr for retaliation against the foe
bseauss be kaeW that be aid thereby sori6cs your
lives He iOrboe in tenders ess to the soldiers we had
in the lGndI Of the enemy. (Ohesrsl
From every point the sguS are suspicious, ANNA
ting and cheering Our armies everywhere have evDced
glorious determination 10 'dO or die aud you have
olms to add your strength to theirs Let look for
ward with hope. Let Us all do our duty, and al will be
we'll (0hsers) The grand spring campaign which the
enemy had undertaken with promises Of astounding
suits had erumblSd into dust. Sherman ad rereAted
in shame and with disaster. Fsragut's naval under
taking had utterly failed and Withou. going further
Into thsss particulars be would advert to the late
ra'd upon this city. Was there ever in the world an
enterprise gotten up this expedition was tia! had
Z rmiDAtsd 20 nslOHouslyH tCheers and lAughter.I
WBy they fed at the 6rst fire from our sita'ns sol
disrs The enemy did not stay long enough for Us 70
Erapple Nth them At the Gs; chow Of opposition en-
be Brooke road Fitzpatrick fled of to the left, and
made his way towards the Peninsula. he bad DOC
shat 10 would q. INTO Richmond If he had 6artd
bravey to sttenp. what be had promised to dO-f be
had only given % fair chAnse-he might have Wer
III, bet but be would have arrived here prisoner
not as coDqusror. (oheers)
The GOYera5r expressed bis preference for hs tented
Rsd and said he Sss ready At any moment TO Oneoun
ter abe foe and raerAcs his Ie in defence Of his OOun
sry's rshiA (Cbests.) HeteHsVsd that q would mo-
be long before We Witnessed the end Of the and
Inc es.absshnt Of the COheasraey among the nations
Of the earth. He invoked harmony, and rideued thu
rides Who lOund faals with our OseFs. and yet denI