Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-25
THE CONFEDERATE PRISONERS AT
FORT WARREN,

IFroo, he Boston TraUeller, May ISL
A Young man who, for some months past,
has been employed at Fort Warren in po-
sition where he had free communication with
the rebel prisoners, has given us some infor-
nation respecting them. He seems to be
rather favorably impressed by their appear
ance, and his account seems to be almost a
a. southsidc view" OF the men who are I'M
willingly enjoying the hoSpiIalities Of the
Government.
He SAYS the whole number of prisoners at
the to.t is about $50, embracing guerillas,
blockade runners, rebel officers and disloyal
citizens. The number OF gucrillas is nearly
200, most Of whom belong to the command
of Mosoy, and when captured were sent here
As daneerous men. Oar informant says they
are most of them young, possessing more
than ordinary intelligence, and generally
from what they call good families" Quite
number of them are from Maryland and
Washington. They are perfectly amenable
TO the discipline OF the place, and our ofli-
GERS have no trouble with them. Among
them is young man named Hiskell-a good
looking fellow OF aoout 90 years, and pri-
vate IN MoSby's command-who claims to be
a grandson of President Monroe.
When President Lincoln was killed, many
of them seemed TO regret it very much, and
there were no expressions OF joy awong
them. They say that Lincoln was lenient,
and they had reason 10 expect favorable
treatment from him. Some OF them have
funds, and they receive the Boston papers
daily, and are well posted up in the news Of
the gay. They are generally in very good
health, Recently one Of their number died,
: I usar heo N nboof
a metallic coffin, in which his remains were
sent home.
Our informant says that there are impris,
oned with MOsby's men fifteen or twenty Of
Kincheloe's guerrillas, an independent plum.
dering gang, also operating In Virginia.
These appear to be q rufiiGuly set of fellows,
and the others are not much inclined to fel.
lowship with them. Besides these there are
few men from Forests command, whom
he describes as lighting fanatics" The
prisoners generally admit that the days Of
the Coniederacy are numbered, though some
think there Will still be fighting west of the
Mississippi. Seven-eghthS OF them would
gladly take the oath of allegiance and 90
home. There are quite number of Rebel
officers imprisoned az the fort, who are kept
in separate quarters and are not allowed
TO communicate with the other prisoners.
Among them are thirteen Rebel generals,
the most prominent OF whom is General
Eweil. He seems to be a great iavorlte
with the Rebel soldiers. They say that
he was always in the fight, that he was
the fighting man under Stonewall Jack
son, and much Of the honor which
tina. general gained was due to Ewell. The
"uoys" recount a colloquy that was said to
have taken place between Jackson and Ew-
eli in the early part OF the war. Jackson
reproved Ewel for using so much profane
language, urging that it never Won q battle
Ewsll replied that he thought praying never
helped one much in such an emergency but
he Is now said to have changed, aud, our in-
formant adds, .'soOn after this occurrence he
was he to look to jesus as, his only hope,
and doubt not, if any man lives up to the
teachings Of Him whom We are all amenable
to il is General ESell." he is q fayorite
with the children of the officers of the gar
rlson, who look to him with childlike conf
depce. Another of the rebel officers is Gen,
Smith, who is scarce out of his teens. His
dress is plain Zouaye jacket, made By some
hand :. Dom OF the South. The prisoners ex-
pressed implicit confidence in JEFF. Davis,
and no man could rally them as well as he.
lie is their ideal Of a great man. Harry
Gimor is favorite among the Prisoners
he is an off-hand, daShing fellow, we'll sup
piled with money (which he does not seem
to care much forl, and is very liberal to the
poor fellows who have been neglected by
their friends, If they have any. Lieutenant
Woodman, who has the care of the prison.
ers, has won their confidence and esteem by
his kindness. DR.. Severance, the surgeon
in charge Of the hospital, is also much re-
spected, and those who have been under his
care sneak of him in the highest terms.